F.L. sizing question??????

furtaker · January 19, 2010, 10:41 AM

I have some frontier brass that has been fired approximatley 5 times, it is getting very hard to close the action on my rifle, so I FL resized it and it didnt make it any better. I double checked the instructions on the die setup and I have every thing ok there. The die is a Hornady FL die that hasnt had a hundred rounds through it. The rifle is a Savage model 10 predator hunter in 22-250 caliber that hasnt had a 1000 rounds through it yet, and I clean it every 50-75 rounds. The brass has been annealed once by me, and I have done this several times before with other brass and not had any trouble so I dont believe thats the problem. I have visually checked for head seperation and ran a wire down the inside of the cases to feel for a crack and cant find any signs of that. Its not the cost of throwing the brass away that bothers me, I just want to know why they dont seem to resize properly?? Any help would be great! Thanks!!!!

twice barrel · January 19, 2010, 11:01 AM

Is this when they've been loaded or just an empty resized case?

furtaker · January 19, 2010, 11:07 AM

Eithier way, empty fired, resized and empty, resized and loaded, doesnt matter.

thekyrifleman · January 19, 2010, 11:39 AM

You haven't mentioned...did you trim to length...sounds like that might be the issue

furtaker · January 19, 2010, 02:25 PM

Yes they have all been trimmed to saami max.

PCJim · January 19, 2010, 02:57 PM

Does any portion of the sized case fit easily into the chamber, or only the very last bit?

To help in the process of elimination, do you have any factory rounds that chamber easily that you can measure and compare to those that you have FL sized? This might clue you in to the source of where the problem is occurring.

Bart B. · January 19, 2010, 04:32 PM

If a new case chambers easily, your die may not be set down far enough in the press to set a fired case's shoulder back a few thousandths. If there's a gap between the shell holder and the bottom of the die when a fired case is up in the die all the way, that's evidence the die might not set down far enough.

Loosen the lock ring then turn the die down 1/8th of a turn, lock the ring and resize a fired case or one that won't chamber easily.

ka041a · January 19, 2010, 04:40 PM

I have read that a cartridge headspacing guage is an essential tool for handloading/reloading.

steelman762 · January 19, 2010, 05:06 PM

I would just compare your resized case with a factory case using a micrometer. Are the bullets correct diameter? I have gotten bullets slightly out of spec. Are you crimping the bullets? Bulging the case little when seating? Sounds like the neck is getting stuck in the chamber? The case lenght should not exceed 1.9in, bullet .224dia I don`t know COL I don`t know what bullet weight your using. If all the dimentions are correct then obviously its the bolt or camber.

80viking · January 19, 2010, 06:13 PM

Very hot loads can cause the case head to expand, a place the die cannot resize.

wncchester · January 19, 2010, 06:17 PM

You've already loaded a hundred rounds with those dies? They are worn out, you need new ones!

NOT.

Okay, serious. Turn your sizer die down another 1/16 turn, that will set the shouldersback about 4-5 thou further and that should fix things.

3StrikesNC · January 19, 2010, 06:55 PM

Have you checked your chamber? Do you clean it with a brush? Have you shot lacquered cases?

furtaker · January 19, 2010, 07:18 PM

Viking 40 gr. h380 1 gr. short of max. Strikes yes the chamber gets sprayed and wiped each time, and no laquered brass. I will try turning the die in a little and see what happens. Thanks for the replies!!!!!!

steve4102 · January 20, 2010, 08:48 AM

With the Ram all the way to the top, Screw the FL die into the press until it touches the shell holder. Lower the ram and screw the die in another 1/4 turn, tighten down the locking ring.

twice barrel · January 20, 2010, 01:51 PM

I pretty well agree with Steve based on the info you've provided. Make sure the die is the correct die for your cartridge too. One thing you said gave me pause however. I believe you should be able to slip an empty case from a cartridge you just fired and ejected back into the chamber. It may be snug but it ought to go back in. If not I suggest you have a gunsmith check to make certain your bolt lugs are properly engaging the receiver and/or that your action is working properly. If not you could be experiencing case stretching during firing from setback that won't be obvious. Just a thought although unlikely.

Regards,

TB

bgdv1 · January 20, 2010, 07:31 PM

had that same problem with my sons 308. readjusted the sizer as stated above, ran ram up till die touched shell holder, ram down gave an additional 1/4 turn and no more problems.

GeauxTide · January 20, 2010, 10:07 PM

When you trim, trim to MINIMUM Spec. 5 max loads could be the limit for those cases.

January 19, 2010, 10:41 AM	#1
furtaker Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Posts: 119	F.L. sizing question?????? I have some frontier brass that has been fired approximatley 5 times, it is getting very hard to close the action on my rifle, so I FL resized it and it didnt make it any better. I double checked the instructions on the die setup and I have every thing ok there. The die is a Hornady FL die that hasnt had a hundred rounds through it. The rifle is a Savage model 10 predator hunter in 22-250 caliber that hasnt had a 1000 rounds through it yet, and I clean it every 50-75 rounds. The brass has been annealed once by me, and I have done this several times before with other brass and not had any trouble so I dont believe thats the problem. I have visually checked for head seperation and ran a wire down the inside of the cases to feel for a crack and cant find any signs of that. Its not the cost of throwing the brass away that bothers me, I just want to know why they dont seem to resize properly?? Any help would be great! Thanks!!!!

January 19, 2010, 04:40 PM	#8
ka041a Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Location: marysville,wa Posts: 28	I have read that a cartridge headspacing guage is an essential tool for handloading/reloading. __________________ John Bradbury M1 GARAND-IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DONT FIX IT!

January 19, 2010, 11:01 AM	#2
twice barrel Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Posts: 98	Is this when they've been loaded or just an empty resized case?

January 19, 2010, 11:07 AM	#3
furtaker Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Posts: 119	Eithier way, empty fired, resized and empty, resized and loaded, doesnt matter.

January 19, 2010, 11:39 AM	#4
thekyrifleman Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Northern Ky Posts: 254	You haven't mentioned...did you trim to length...sounds like that might be the issue

January 19, 2010, 02:25 PM	#5
furtaker Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Posts: 119	Yes they have all been trimmed to saami max.

January 19, 2010, 02:57 PM	#6
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	Does any portion of the sized case fit easily into the chamber, or only the very last bit? To help in the process of elimination, do you have any factory rounds that chamber easily that you can measure and compare to those that you have FL sized? This might clue you in to the source of where the problem is occurring.

January 19, 2010, 04:32 PM	#7
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	If a new case chambers easily, your die may not be set down far enough in the press to set a fired case's shoulder back a few thousandths. If there's a gap between the shell holder and the bottom of the die when a fired case is up in the die all the way, that's evidence the die might not set down far enough. Loosen the lock ring then turn the die down 1/8th of a turn, lock the ring and resize a fired case or one that won't chamber easily.

January 19, 2010, 05:06 PM	#9
steelman762 Member Join Date: January 18, 2010 Posts: 61	I would just compare your resized case with a factory case using a micrometer. Are the bullets correct diameter? I have gotten bullets slightly out of spec. Are you crimping the bullets? Bulging the case little when seating? Sounds like the neck is getting stuck in the chamber? The case lenght should not exceed 1.9in, bullet .224dia I don`t know COL I don`t know what bullet weight your using. If all the dimentions are correct then obviously its the bolt or camber.

January 19, 2010, 06:13 PM	#10
80viking Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2009 Location: The Peoples Republic of Massac Posts: 333	Very hot loads can cause the case head to expand, a place the die cannot resize.

January 19, 2010, 06:17 PM	#11
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	You've already loaded a hundred rounds with those dies? They are worn out, you need new ones! NOT. Okay, serious. Turn your sizer die down another 1/16 turn, that will set the shouldersback about 4-5 thou further and that should fix things.

January 19, 2010, 06:55 PM	#12
3StrikesNC Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2007 Location: in a house Posts: 473	Have you checked your chamber? Do you clean it with a brush? Have you shot lacquered cases?

January 19, 2010, 07:18 PM	#13
furtaker Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Posts: 119	Viking 40 gr. h380 1 gr. short of max. Strikes yes the chamber gets sprayed and wiped each time, and no laquered brass. I will try turning the die in a little and see what happens. Thanks for the replies!!!!!!

January 20, 2010, 08:48 AM	#14
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,955	With the Ram all the way to the top, Screw the FL die into the press until it touches the shell holder. Lower the ram and screw the die in another 1/4 turn, tighten down the locking ring.

January 20, 2010, 01:51 PM	#15
twice barrel Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Posts: 98	I pretty well agree with Steve based on the info you've provided. Make sure the die is the correct die for your cartridge too. One thing you said gave me pause however. I believe you should be able to slip an empty case from a cartridge you just fired and ejected back into the chamber. It may be snug but it ought to go back in. If not I suggest you have a gunsmith check to make certain your bolt lugs are properly engaging the receiver and/or that your action is working properly. If not you could be experiencing case stretching during firing from setback that won't be obvious. Just a thought although unlikely. Regards, TB

January 20, 2010, 07:31 PM	#16
bgdv1 Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: butler,pa Posts: 146	had that same problem with my sons 308. readjusted the sizer as stated above, ran ram up till die touched shell holder, ram down gave an additional 1/4 turn and no more problems.

January 20, 2010, 10:07 PM	#17
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	When you trim, trim to MINIMUM Spec. 5 max loads could be the limit for those cases.