The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

flintbuilder · December 23, 2017, 01:42 PM

Hey guys

long time reader, first time poster

Quick question.

Im using a factory hunting 223 bolt action rifle, with lapua brass that i have fired 3 times in only this rifle, with only neck sizing. I want to start to full size just enough to get 2 or 3 thou clearance after each firing to be more consistent with each reload

I have a RCBS 223 full length sizing die that when I use it, maximum sizing, the brass is still tight in my bolt action chamber. Do I understand correctly that when I remove the firing pin and place the brass in the chamber I should be able to close the bolt without friction, or with very small friction, to indicated the brass is sized to get a 2 or 3 thou head space?

What I do is raise the ram all the way up touch the die to the RCBS shell holder, advance the die a quarter turn to get cam over, size the brass, clean off the lube, try it in the chamber, and the de-pinned bolt wont close without a bit of force, like a knife through coolish butter. With a fired un-sized brass the bolt closes like a knife in cold butter. It is a better fit once i full length size it but still not a free floating bolt close.
Does this sound like I am doing something wrong, have a tight chamber, need a small base die?

The guy at the local shop said to use a small base die or to grind down the full length die because my chamber is just a tight chamber.

What should I do?

Thanks for any help

December 23, 2017, 01:42 PM	#1
flintbuilder Junior Member Join Date: December 22, 2017 Posts: 6	tight chamber? Hey guys long time reader, first time poster Quick question. Im using a factory hunting 223 bolt action rifle, with lapua brass that i have fired 3 times in only this rifle, with only neck sizing. I want to start to full size just enough to get 2 or 3 thou clearance after each firing to be more consistent with each reload I have a RCBS 223 full length sizing die that when I use it, maximum sizing, the brass is still tight in my bolt action chamber. Do I understand correctly that when I remove the firing pin and place the brass in the chamber I should be able to close the bolt without friction, or with very small friction, to indicated the brass is sized to get a 2 or 3 thou head space? What I do is raise the ram all the way up touch the die to the RCBS shell holder, advance the die a quarter turn to get cam over, size the brass, clean off the lube, try it in the chamber, and the de-pinned bolt wont close without a bit of force, like a knife through coolish butter. With a fired un-sized brass the bolt closes like a knife in cold butter. It is a better fit once i full length size it but still not a free floating bolt close. Does this sound like I am doing something wrong, have a tight chamber, need a small base die? The guy at the local shop said to use a small base die or to grind down the full length die because my chamber is just a tight chamber. What should I do? Thanks for any help