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4/5/2009 3:51:58 PM EDT
I've been reloading about seven years. Can't remember when I fired the last store bought round in a dozen or so calibers. I got a ATR-1 FAL in .223.
It will chamber and fire Wolf and Frontier ammo. But, if I resize the case so it will hold the bullet (62g and 55g) tight the shoulder is bumped back too far and it won't chamber in the gun. Bolt won't lock. Suggestions?

Thanks
4/5/2009 4:00:48 PM EDT
[#1]
Are you lubing the inside of the necks?  Before that, you need to set up the die without the expander to set headspace.  If the cases won't chamber, then you have to screw the die further down.



What brand of press and die?
4/5/2009 4:23:51 PM EDT
[#2]
No expander, and not lubing inside the necks. Herters Dies. RCBS single stage press
4/5/2009 5:58:38 PM EDT
[#3]
If it will not chamber, then my assumption is that you care not setting the shoulder back enough.  Have you had the headspace checked by a competent gunsmith?
Do you have the dies properly adjusted?
4/5/2009 6:05:10 PM EDT
[#4]
Go up to Tutorials, read the 4 part "how to load 223" tutorial. Lots of pics.

I suspect there are a couple of flaws in your reloading process.
4/5/2009 7:23:40 PM EDT
[#5]
From your description, you are not pushing the shoulder back far enough, not , "too far" as you stated.

Get the expander ball back in your die and go from there.  223 autoloaders are meant to be full-length resized.  Do it right.  

Once your process is working, you can adjust.  Start at the beginning and do it right.
4/5/2009 7:49:03 PM EDT
[#6]
Gauge your ammo.............

IMHO…………"the secret" to re-loading a bottle neck cartridge for a gas gun is to gauge your re-sized brass. There are many different brands and ways to gauge your re-loads.  

Examples……..

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=REMTHT&type=store

This is how I do mine.

6) I use a single station press (RCBS Rock Chucker). You could use a progressive Dillon IF you wanted to. It's a personal choice. But, with whatever press you choose, consider shell plate/shell holder and/or press "flex.”  I use a regular FL size/de-capper die, NOT the small base dies. To begin, lube your cases.  Then, FL size and de-cap, 1 or 2 cases for a test. Gauge the re-sized case(s), to confirm that the "correct size" has been achieved.   I use a Forster Products case gauge (the Wilson or Dillon case gauges are also popular choices).  Insert a case into the case gauge.  The headstamped end of the case, needs to be at or between the high and low cuts on the gauge, to pass. This checks the headspace.  While the other end, is used to check if the case will need to be trimmed (a job for later on).   IF, it’s not the “correct size,” your die setting will need adjustment. Lower the ram and simply screw the die in or out a little. Don’t forget about the lock nut. Then, re-size another couple of test cases and check your work again. Repeat the test and adjustments, as needed.  When you're satisfied that your test cases are properly re-sized, do the entire lot (remember to test some cases throughout the run).


What you do, or don't do, is up to you.

_____________________________________


HTH.

Aloha, Mark


4/6/2009 4:25:41 AM EDT
[#7]

     I agree with Mark on this one.  From experience two things I was doing wrong when I first started reloading .223.  The sizing die was not set up properly and I over crimped.  Do get the .223 gauge.  Now every loaded .223 I do a final check with it.
4/6/2009 3:03:56 PM EDT
[#8]
Got it fixed. I wasn't sizing far enough down. Set up worked on my Colt and BM ARs though. Thanks.
4/6/2009 6:09:50 PM EDT
[#9]
Case gauge, proper die/shellholder adjustment, double check oal, and consider a separate body die if you've got a very tight throat.
You shouldn't need it, but you may need a small-base die if you're present die system doesn't seat properly, but the case-gauge will tell you a lot about your system and I'm a believer in body dies in addition to FL die systems....if you have a few cases that still don;t slip into the case gauge as easily as you need.
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