Problems loading 30-06

[RSVP2RIP]

For the life of me I just can't seem to get the brass to chamber without force after full length resizing. I have the die adjusted to touch the shell holder. I'm using new hornady dies and a Lee classic cast press. The shell holder is a Lee universal type. After resizing and freshly resized case will not chamber in either a Remington 750 auto or an FN military mauser. Does not matter having a bullet in there, I tried that 25 times before I discovered my mistake. I thought it was the bullet ogive originally, the marker trick proved that was not it. Any suggestions?

 

[rcmodel]

Touching the shell holder ain't gonna do it.

Screw the die down until you have contact, then screw it down another 1/4 - 1/2 turn, depending on how much slack & frame flex your press has.

You need to feel the ram "bump" over at full extension without a case in the die to really get FL sizing of the shoulder.

rc

 

[USSR]

It's one of two things: either the shoulder needs to be bumped back more, or the web is expanded beyond what your sizing die can handle. Here is what you do: with a magic marker, mark the shoulder area of the case, and then mark the web area (that part of the case just above the extractor groove). Then, try chambering the case, extract the case, and look for scratch marks in the two parts of case marked with the magic marker. If the scratch marks are on the shoulder (most likely), then you need to screw your FL sizing die down further; if the scratches are on the web area, then you will in all likelyhood need to resize the brass using a small base die. Hope that helps.

Don

 

[RSVP2RIP]

1/4 turn more got it. I never had this problem with other calibers/guns. Maybe tight chambers? I always read that you screw the die in until it touches the shellholder without camming over and that was it. Now I know, and knowing is half the battle....G.I. Joe....


Thanks guys.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Make sure the case is trimmed to the correct length after resizing it too...

 

[Maj Dad]

I have encountered variances in shell holders over the years - it's an inexpensive item to change if you're up against the wall. I have some Lees but I tend to stick with RCBS - strictly my bias.

 

[rcmodel]

Touching is fine with handgun calibers and maybe even with some small rifle calibers like .22 Hornet and weaker cases like 30-30.

Every bottle-neck rifle die I own has to be set down until you can feel the "Bump" or it doesn't set the shoulder back far enough.

It's SOP when adjusting rifle dies.

rc

 

[dogrunner]

Spend just a few bucks and acquire a case/cartridge gage. Wilson, Dillon and others make 'em........a sure and quick way to check your reloads WILL fit.

 

[rondog]

Lyman .30-06 case gauge. Gitcha one.

 

[flashhole]

Another trick is to stick a feeler gauge shim under the case when it sits in the shell holder to raise it just a bit more. FWIW, the Lee press has a hard mechanical stop on the linkage that prevents it from "camming over". IMO it's easier to adjust the die with a press that has the cam over feature.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

I got a wilson gauge for the .375 but I don't have one for the 30/06 yet. I was loading for an autoloader and thought that I didn't need to get a perfect match for the chamber, just get it in the chamber. Brass life would be short anyways and since it is a hunting gun, the brass will be never found in the field. Figured if I got 4 reloads form it I was ahead of the curve.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Also, the "universal type" shell holder you are using might be a different height than the correct shell holder for the 30-06 which might have added to the problem. (just a guess)

 

[ranger335v]

The critical dimensions of all shell holders, the depth and diameter, is "universal". The depth is .125".