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dmazur · December 29, 2011, 02:51 AM

Short answer is

1. Use a cartridge headspace gauge of some type (Wilson, RCBS) to measure the difference between fired case and resized case. I believe a difference of 0.002" is considered OK. Adjust resizing die until you get this difference.

2. For bolt-action rifles, use the rifle's chamber as a gauge. Resize, try to chamber. Adjust resizing die as necessary and repeat until the bolt just closes.

My understanding is that you have to measure. "Touching the shell holder" or "Touching plus 1/8 turn" just aren't going to produce the results you want.

Without gradual adjustments, the "chamber test" can allow over-resizing. The idea is to stop when it works, instead of continuing to adjust the die for an induced excess headspace condition.

December 29, 2011, 02:51 AM	#2
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	Short answer is 1. Use a cartridge headspace gauge of some type (Wilson, RCBS) to measure the difference between fired case and resized case. I believe a difference of 0.002" is considered OK. Adjust resizing die until you get this difference. 2. For bolt-action rifles, use the rifle's chamber as a gauge. Resize, try to chamber. Adjust resizing die as necessary and repeat until the bolt just closes. My understanding is that you have to measure. "Touching the shell holder" or "Touching plus 1/8 turn" just aren't going to produce the results you want. Without gradual adjustments, the "chamber test" can allow over-resizing. The idea is to stop when it works, instead of continuing to adjust the die for an induced excess headspace condition. __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong Last edited by dmazur; December 29, 2011 at 02:58 AM.