Case Prep

Lilswede1 · November 15, 2009, 10:14 AM

Thanks for info guys.

dmazur · November 15, 2009, 11:44 AM

The method I use to set up resizing dies depends on a Wilson type cartridge headspace gauge. This is useful to measure brass fired in that rifle, then set up the die so a resized case is 0.003" or so shorter. (So it will chamber, and so it also won't unnecessarily shorten brass life.) It can also be used to check resized cases for SAAMI specification headspace length without reference to a case fired in your rifle.

If you don't have such a gauge, the method I've read about is to "sneak up on" this dimension by adjusting the die down in very small increments and repeatedly try chambering that case. When the bolt handle goes down without doing a crush fit, you're there.

You didn't mention what type of resizing die you have. For once-fired .223, you are probably safer to assume it was fired in an AR-15 or something similar rather than another bolt rifle. As such, you need to use a full-length resizing die.

After the initial full-length resizing, you might want to explore neck only resizing, unless you plan to use the ammo in a mix of rifle types.

Lilswede1 · November 15, 2009, 12:00 PM

Thanks for the tips. In my inital thread I used the initials "FL" to indicate I use a full length die.
I have the Wilson gage and measure each round - they are within tolerances .
Of the 1st 100 rds I resized 29 chambered stiffly so I lowered the die several .000"s and now they all chamber nicely.
I contacted the mfgr. of the inexpensive press I use for depriming and resizing and it seems that the press will stretch several .000"s under extreme pressure. This would account for the cases that weren't sized down far enough.
Any other suggestions would be welcome. Always ready to learn something new in here.
Thanks

Uncle Chan · November 15, 2009, 12:30 PM

I've never had a problem by just following the instructions that come with the die.

confirmed shooter · November 15, 2009, 03:23 PM

after you get the cases fl sized, and then fired again, try to neck size only if using the same weapon. Then trim your brass to spec length and you are ready to go. your brass won't be bench-restquality, but it will be close. Good shooting and have fun. Charlie Serra.

emcon5 · November 15, 2009, 03:37 PM

What were they once fired in? Before you go through the effort to FL size them try making up a dummy round by neck sizing one and seating a bullet (no primer or powder), then see if they chamber in your rifle.

Never know, you might get lucky and they fit.

dmazur · November 15, 2009, 03:41 PM

Yep, you did say FL. Reading comprehension.

If they were all within spec on the Wilson gauge, but some (29) were hard to chamber, it sounds like you have a short-chambered rifle. You may need to keep everything near the bottom step on the gauge rather than "in between". On most Wilson gauges, the step size is 0.006".

IMO, you shouldn't be getting that kind of variation, unless you're using mixed brass, which can have varying resizing effort and different "spring back".

November 15, 2009, 10:14 AM	#1
Lilswede1 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2008 Location: NW Wash State Posts: 216	Case Prep Thanks for info guys. Last edited by Lilswede1; November 16, 2009 at 10:51 AM. Reason: Questions have been answered - Thank you

November 15, 2009, 11:44 AM	#2
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	The method I use to set up resizing dies depends on a Wilson type cartridge headspace gauge. This is useful to measure brass fired in that rifle, then set up the die so a resized case is 0.003" or so shorter. (So it will chamber, and so it also won't unnecessarily shorten brass life.) It can also be used to check resized cases for SAAMI specification headspace length without reference to a case fired in your rifle. If you don't have such a gauge, the method I've read about is to "sneak up on" this dimension by adjusting the die down in very small increments and repeatedly try chambering that case. When the bolt handle goes down without doing a crush fit, you're there. You didn't mention what type of resizing die you have. For once-fired .223, you are probably safer to assume it was fired in an AR-15 or something similar rather than another bolt rifle. As such, you need to use a full-length resizing die. After the initial full-length resizing, you might want to explore neck only resizing, unless you plan to use the ammo in a mix of rifle types. __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

November 15, 2009, 12:00 PM	#3
Lilswede1 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2008 Location: NW Wash State Posts: 216	REPLY Thanks for the tips. In my inital thread I used the initials "FL" to indicate I use a full length die. I have the Wilson gage and measure each round - they are within tolerances . Of the 1st 100 rds I resized 29 chambered stiffly so I lowered the die several .000"s and now they all chamber nicely. I contacted the mfgr. of the inexpensive press I use for depriming and resizing and it seems that the press will stretch several .000"s under extreme pressure. This would account for the cases that weren't sized down far enough. Any other suggestions would be welcome. Always ready to learn something new in here. Thanks

November 15, 2009, 03:41 PM	#7
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	Yep, you did say FL. Reading comprehension. If they were all within spec on the Wilson gauge, but some (29) were hard to chamber, it sounds like you have a short-chambered rifle. You may need to keep everything near the bottom step on the gauge rather than "in between". On most Wilson gauges, the step size is 0.006". IMO, you shouldn't be getting that kind of variation, unless you're using mixed brass, which can have varying resizing effort and different "spring back". __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

November 15, 2009, 12:30 PM	#4
Uncle Chan Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Posts: 40	I've never had a problem by just following the instructions that come with the die.

November 15, 2009, 03:23 PM	#5
confirmed shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: reno, Nv. Posts: 109	after you get the cases fl sized, and then fired again, try to neck size only if using the same weapon. Then trim your brass to spec length and you are ready to go. your brass won't be bench-restquality, but it will be close. Good shooting and have fun. Charlie Serra.

November 15, 2009, 03:37 PM	#6
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	What were they once fired in? Before you go through the effort to FL size them try making up a dummy round by neck sizing one and seating a bullet (no primer or powder), then see if they chamber in your rifle. Never know, you might get lucky and they fit.