Problem with bullet seating using once-fired rifle brass

TomGunn · June 7, 2013, 09:00 PM

Hi folks,

I'm just getting started with reloading and have encountered a problem. I have a bunch of once-fired .243 Win brass that I've saved up. I was intending to neck size only. However, the neck opening on these cases is too narrow - bullets don't fit. I'd expect that, having been fired, the bullet should be loose in the neck until it's resized. But it doesn't fit at all. I suspect it may be due to an overly aggressive factory crimp. It's visible as a very slight inward curvature at the opening of the neck.

I suppose I could just seat the bullets without any resizing, but I'm not sure how wise that would be. Otherwise, is there some sort of flaring die I can get to open up the necks and then re-size?

Thanks in advance.

Gster · June 7, 2013, 09:06 PM

Were the brass fired in the gun that you are going to reload them for? Did you measure to see if you can trim? I'd run one through the full length resize die and try it.

TomGunn · June 7, 2013, 09:26 PM

They were fired from the same gun, yes.

I did try full length sizing one, still no dice. I'll see if there's any room to trim.

I can seat the bullets, but wasn't sure how wise this was with no resizing at all.

burrhead · June 7, 2013, 09:32 PM

You need to chamfer the inside of the neck.

jepp2 · June 7, 2013, 09:44 PM

Quote:

I can seat the bullets, but wasn't sure how wise this was with no resizing at all.

I wouldn't suggest you go without any sizing. The neck tension after you seat the bullets will be very low and the bullet can shift. That is bad. Your really want some neck tension to get a good burn on the powder before the bullet starts moving down the barrel. With rifle powder the confinement accelerates the burning.

It isn't that unusual for a bullet to not freely enter the fired case mouth. But that doesn't mean sizing isn't necessary.

mehavey · June 7, 2013, 10:08 PM

Notwithstanding your desire to neck size only -- and especially if you are just starting --
I'd suggest that you go the standard route:

- Full-length resize, with a normal decapper/expander ball. That will "standardize" not only
external dimensions, but internal neck diameter as well (and straighten out any residual mouth crimp
at the same time)

Brian Pfleuger · June 7, 2013, 10:11 PM

It's doubtful that you'd need to trim. Just use a chamfer tool and you should be fine.

TomGunn · June 7, 2013, 10:35 PM

I did try a slight chamfer but it wasn't enough. I didn't want to remove too much material.

This problem makes neck sizing impossible since I can't set up the die without being able to test fit a bullet (or at least that's the only way I know of). I suppose I'll have to stick with full length sizing for now.

Brian Pfleuger · June 7, 2013, 10:44 PM

Chamfer until the lip is gone, if that's the problem.

TomGunn · June 7, 2013, 10:54 PM

Brian, thanks for the advice. Some more aggressive chamfering solved the problem. Now I can go back to my neck sizing die.

Brian Pfleuger · June 7, 2013, 11:08 PM

Be sure to check length and trim if appropriate.

June 7, 2013, 09:00 PM	#1
TomGunn Junior Member Join Date: June 5, 2013 Posts: 4	Problem with bullet seating using once-fired rifle brass Hi folks, I'm just getting started with reloading and have encountered a problem. I have a bunch of once-fired .243 Win brass that I've saved up. I was intending to neck size only. However, the neck opening on these cases is too narrow - bullets don't fit. I'd expect that, having been fired, the bullet should be loose in the neck until it's resized. But it doesn't fit at all. I suspect it may be due to an overly aggressive factory crimp. It's visible as a very slight inward curvature at the opening of the neck. I suppose I could just seat the bullets without any resizing, but I'm not sure how wise that would be. Otherwise, is there some sort of flaring die I can get to open up the necks and then re-size? Thanks in advance.

June 7, 2013, 09:06 PM	#2
Gster Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Location: N.central Pa. Posts: 302	Were the brass fired in the gun that you are going to reload them for? Did you measure to see if you can trim? I'd run one through the full length resize die and try it. __________________ Gun control means: Being able to hit what you are shooting at.

June 7, 2013, 09:32 PM	#4
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,149	You need to chamfer the inside of the neck. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

June 7, 2013, 10:11 PM	#7
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,694	It's doubtful that you'd need to trim. Just use a chamfer tool and you should be fine. __________________ https://ecommercearms.com I am the owner/operator! Ask me for custom prices! No sales tax outside CO!

June 7, 2013, 09:26 PM	#3
TomGunn Junior Member Join Date: June 5, 2013 Posts: 4	They were fired from the same gun, yes. I did try full length sizing one, still no dice. I'll see if there's any room to trim. I can seat the bullets, but wasn't sure how wise this was with no resizing at all.

June 7, 2013, 10:08 PM	#6
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,209	Notwithstanding your desire to neck size only -- and especially if you are just starting -- I'd suggest that you go the standard route: - Full-length resize, with a normal decapper/expander ball. That will "standardize" not only external dimensions, but internal neck diameter as well (and straighten out any residual mouth crimp at the same time)

June 7, 2013, 10:35 PM	#8
TomGunn Junior Member Join Date: June 5, 2013 Posts: 4	I did try a slight chamfer but it wasn't enough. I didn't want to remove too much material. This problem makes neck sizing impossible since I can't set up the die without being able to test fit a bullet (or at least that's the only way I know of). I suppose I'll have to stick with full length sizing for now.

June 7, 2013, 10:44 PM	#9
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,694	Chamfer until the lip is gone, if that's the problem.

June 7, 2013, 10:54 PM	#10
TomGunn Junior Member Join Date: June 5, 2013 Posts: 4	Brian, thanks for the advice. Some more aggressive chamfering solved the problem. Now I can go back to my neck sizing die.

June 7, 2013, 11:08 PM	#11
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,694	Be sure to check length and trim if appropriate.