case shoulder pushed back too far???

W

wtfTG

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WARNING!! NEWBIE QUESTIONS!!

Reloading for .223 Remington.

So I got set up and have the RCBS competition fl resize die set up to push the shoulder back about 0.002-0.003 consistently. Using the Hornady Headspace Comparator for that measurement. I am measuring once-fired (in my rifle) 223 cases at 1.465 on the Comparator and am getting 1.462-1.463 consistently after fl resizing.

However I have about 15 cases with the shoulder pushed back 0.005+. Resized these cases in the process of finding the right setting for the die. I can't believe how miniscule a change there was from setting the shoulder back 0.005+ to 0.003.

1. Can I use these and then resize later? Or do I relegate these to plinking rounds?

2. Critique on my technique so far would be greatly appreciated.

My next step will be to trim case length to 1.750. Still have parts coming in, but I wanted to get a uniform cache of cases before powder charging and bullet seating.

Thanks ahead of time,
tg
 
A trick I've used before with mixed brass is to resize the long ones a second or third time. It's not hard to get them to go back another two or three thousandths doing that. If I need even more I rotate the case a third of a turn and leave it pressed up into the die for a count of five each time I run the press ram up so it relaxes a little more. If you used your cases to set up the die, it's not surprising they set back extra.

Just shoot them back to size.
 
That's great feedback as I notice some of the hard-to-press cases resized nicely if I did a second or third press.

I am using a 1:10 lanolin:100% alcohol lube and it seems to working ok. No stuck cases so far.
 
Seems like your shooting a AR platform, 223 chambers are 1.463 - 1.473 from your fired case your chamber is 1.466 fired case spring back to your 1.465 You seem to be doing everything right. keep your sized case to 1.463. I trim every firing.I'm a benchrest shooter only with a bolt action settings are a little tighter. Your chamber is just right, if you trim every firing you could go to 1.755 but don't trim any less then 1.750 some cases start out with a lot of head space, may seem like you oversized but it didn't stretch enough with the first firing. Measure the headspace measurement on your fired case before sizing with it deprimed. Sometimes the fired primer will screw up your reading. Use the oversized rounds for your fouling shots. I uniform my primer pockets, never had a problem seating a primer, you should feel it bottom, below flush. Clean the flash hole, can also look into a flash hole deburrer only has to be deburred once. Keep your cases clean & will keep your dies trouble free. I've been reloading for 25+ years, just changed cleaning my brass with a dry vibrating media tumbler to a wet tumbler with Stainless Steel pins, makes the brass like new inside & out. With reloading there is always new to try. Keep up the good work. Be Safe Chris
 
Thank you for the feedback! I am shooting a Wylde chambered 223. I have been pleased with the wet tumbling I have been doing in regard to the primer pocket and interior case cleaning.

The tip about the flash hole deburring is a good one and I will look into that.

Going slow to stay safe. Thanks again!
 
My next step will be to trim case length to 1.750. Still have parts coming in, but I wanted to get a uniform cache of cases before powder charging and bullet seating.
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I will assume you have never fired the rifle. I would suggest you purchase new ammo first then fire. After firing I would suggest you compare the fired cases with your sized cases. I would also suggest you save a few of the new unfired cases for comparison.

F. Guffey
 
However I have about 15 cases with the shoulder pushed back 0.005+. Resized these cases in the process of finding the right setting for the die. I can't believe how miniscule a change there was from setting the shoulder back 0.005+ to 0.003.
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I can't believe how miniscule
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I would suggest you adjust the die down to the shell holder with the additional proverbial additional 1/4 turn, Adjusting the die to full length size the case would furnish you the information necessary to determine of your press die and shell holder is able to 'full length size' your cases.

Bumping the shoulder is an auto response, it is always .002". One manufacturer made an attempt to sell 'bump dies'. Normally I do not get into politically correctness, but I did on that one. I do not expect cases to be sized to the exact length from the shoulder to the case head. Again, there are times the case has more resistance to sizing than my press can overcome. When that happens there will be a gap between the top of the shell holder and bottom of the die.

Back to 'who measures?' I do if I expect the case to be sized to an exact dimension. And then there are those that stretch the case when they lower the ram. Problem, no one can measure the length of the case from the shoulder to the case head before lowering the ram, that would be before the sizing ball is pulled through the neck. (if a neck sizing plug is being used). Well that is not exactly true)

F. Guffey
 
Thanks for the time to respond. That is helpful.

I am starting this reloading adventure with once-fired cases from my 223. I have Sako, Fiocchi, and Hornady brass to work with. Of the three, rumor seems to support Sako brass as being the best quality of the three.

Just got my trimmer set up to trim my cases over 1.755.

Thanks to all for the feedback and guidance!!
 
I also use 0000 steel wool on the neck & shoulder,press the neck into the pad& shoulder area spin the case a couple of turns , smooths up the area without removing brass,also inside of neck makes seating very smooth.wipe off any dust with a clean rag. I do this but I'm not loading quantity . this is not a must , its a little over the top I enjoy reloading .
 
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