Bending the Neck!? Redding Competition Dies

VNedros · August 5, 2014, 09:53 AM

So, while I am somewhat new to reloading, I brought over a sage today to help me tackle a problem that's driving me up a wall... and now him as well.

I'm using the Redding competition 3 die set for .338 Lapua Magnum and my issue has to do with the de-priming and sizing stage.

Basically no matter what we try, once we go to de-prime, the brass gets slightly smashed at it's neck. Unless we shave the brass down past 2.706 inches.

I'm new to reloading .338 Lapua, so I can't say for sure if shaving the brass down that far is actually a problem. I can say that the factory loads I have on hand to reference aren't shaved that far. They sit at 2.716" before they're shot.

I have a brand new Redding Big Boss II.

I do not have this issue with my same set of competition die for 308, not by a long shot. I can pop primers out of that sucker all day long with no issues. It seems FAR more forgiving at this stage.

My question comes in two parts... does anyone have any experience with what I am talking about?

The second, if anyone could tell me what length their lapua brass is being shaved to, perhaps that could help. Maybe the Hornady ammo I am referencing is just strange.

I did order new Lapua brass to see what length those come in at.

I've attached a photo to help explain the problem.

We've tried seating the die every which way to Sunday, and this has been the result on 7 brass so far.

To answer the question, yes I start with the knobs backed all the way out and I slooooowly work them in until the primer is punched out.

Once I get that length set on any one brass, it definitely doesn't work on another unless that brass has been shaved low enough... or in this case, what I suspect to be too far.

243winxb · August 5, 2014, 10:47 AM

Quote:

I start with the knobs backed all the way out and I slooooowly work them in until the primer is punched out.

There is an adjustment on the decapping rod for length. I dont think you can just keep turning it down? Is there a bushing in the die of the correct diameter. If no bushing, the case mouth will hit the bushing stop. Results will be like in your photo. Not sure if yours is the same?? [IMG]

[/IMG] SAAMI has not set standards for this caliber, but looks like Case length is 69.20 mm (2.724 in) Maximum. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.338_Lapua_Magnum

Bart B. · August 5, 2014, 10:57 AM

I'd try sizing a fired case in the die without the decapping stem in. If it sizes the case normally, then the issue is with the decapping parts.

What sizing die were you using?

Nemsis · August 5, 2014, 12:32 PM

I have the same dies and had a little trouble setting up my dies as well. I crunched 2 necks just like you till I got it. My dies came set up with the decaping rod too short as well, you have to loosen the little Allen set screw in the top of the knob then unscrew the decaping rod till it just protrudes into the shell holder then tighten it up again .

I trim my brass to 2.714" and have no problems

VNedros · August 5, 2014, 02:07 PM

Thank you everyone. Nemesis you solved it... spot on.

I found that tiny hole on the top, and was able get my allen in there and get the rod to come much further down.

No issues at all now. I really truly appreciate your help.

243win thank you so much for that drawing and image. Unfortunately we have different internals. But I sure apperciate your effort.

Nemsis · August 5, 2014, 02:31 PM

No problem

The instructions they send with the dies are not that great print out these PDF A's from there website they are much better

http://www.redding-reloading.com/tec...ides-comp-dies

F. Guffey · August 6, 2014, 12:24 PM

I would never suggest a new reloader hit the ground a-running. The 3 die set from Redding cost about $250.00, it has taken some reloaders with years of claimed experience to get the information straight.

Like hot horse shoes, it does not take me long to look at them, dies same way, there is no way to fold/collapse/bend the neck of a case in a full length sizer die because the full length sizer dies has case body support and neck support and finally it has shoulder support. After that there are variations of the same die, many reloaders got excited about 'bump' dies, and body dies assuming there was magic going on. I am the fan of case body, neck and shoulder support.

F. Guffey

August 5, 2014, 09:53 AM	#1
VNedros Junior Member Join Date: August 4, 2014 Posts: 2	Bending the Neck!? Redding Competition Dies So, while I am somewhat new to reloading, I brought over a sage today to help me tackle a problem that's driving me up a wall... and now him as well. I'm using the Redding competition 3 die set for .338 Lapua Magnum and my issue has to do with the de-priming and sizing stage. Basically no matter what we try, once we go to de-prime, the brass gets slightly smashed at it's neck. Unless we shave the brass down past 2.706 inches. I'm new to reloading .338 Lapua, so I can't say for sure if shaving the brass down that far is actually a problem. I can say that the factory loads I have on hand to reference aren't shaved that far. They sit at 2.716" before they're shot. I have a brand new Redding Big Boss II. I do not have this issue with my same set of competition die for 308, not by a long shot. I can pop primers out of that sucker all day long with no issues. It seems FAR more forgiving at this stage. My question comes in two parts... does anyone have any experience with what I am talking about? The second, if anyone could tell me what length their lapua brass is being shaved to, perhaps that could help. Maybe the Hornady ammo I am referencing is just strange. I did order new Lapua brass to see what length those come in at. I've attached a photo to help explain the problem. We've tried seating the die every which way to Sunday, and this has been the result on 7 brass so far. To answer the question, yes I start with the knobs backed all the way out and I slooooowly work them in until the primer is punched out. Once I get that length set on any one brass, it definitely doesn't work on another unless that brass has been shaved low enough... or in this case, what I suspect to be too far.

August 5, 2014, 12:32 PM	#4
Nemsis Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Peoples Republic of Chicago Posts: 408	I have the same dies and had a little trouble setting up my dies as well. I crunched 2 necks just like you till I got it. My dies came set up with the decaping rod too short as well, you have to loosen the little Allen set screw in the top of the knob then unscrew the decaping rod till it just protrudes into the shell holder then tighten it up again . I trim my brass to 2.714" and have no problems __________________ "The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas

August 5, 2014, 02:31 PM	#6
Nemsis Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Peoples Republic of Chicago Posts: 408	No problem The instructions they send with the dies are not that great print out these PDF A's from there website they are much better http://www.redding-reloading.com/tec...ides-comp-dies __________________ "The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas

August 5, 2014, 10:57 AM	#3
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	I'd try sizing a fired case in the die without the decapping stem in. If it sizes the case normally, then the issue is with the decapping parts. What sizing die were you using?

August 5, 2014, 02:07 PM	#5
VNedros Junior Member Join Date: August 4, 2014 Posts: 2	Thank you everyone. Nemesis you solved it... spot on. I found that tiny hole on the top, and was able get my allen in there and get the rod to come much further down. No issues at all now. I really truly appreciate your help. 243win thank you so much for that drawing and image. Unfortunately we have different internals. But I sure apperciate your effort.

August 6, 2014, 12:24 PM	#7
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	I would never suggest a new reloader hit the ground a-running. The 3 die set from Redding cost about $250.00, it has taken some reloaders with years of claimed experience to get the information straight. Like hot horse shoes, it does not take me long to look at them, dies same way, there is no way to fold/collapse/bend the neck of a case in a full length sizer die because the full length sizer dies has case body support and neck support and finally it has shoulder support. After that there are variations of the same die, many reloaders got excited about 'bump' dies, and body dies assuming there was magic going on. I am the fan of case body, neck and shoulder support. F. Guffey