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Posted: 7/10/2009 5:47:54 PM EDT
| Can I resize 223 cases without a case gauge? |
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Yes, I am having trouble finding one. Actually, my last topic/question was about crimped primer pockets, I posted pictures with 4 cases asking if the WCC cases were crimped. They were. So, off I went to purchase the Hornady primer pocket reamer. Dryflash, you had a thread going about your Forth of July, I saw the case gage you were using on your 9mm, since I am new I thought I need some of those. From Midway USA I purchased a case length gage in 9mm and 45acp, no 223 in stock. After receiving my case gages, I discovered that my Wilson case gages are not used on loaded rounds, from your thread I thought yours did.
Please clear up my muddled thoughts 
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I have a Lee Breech Lock press and Lee dies, I have set the dies according to the directions. I would measure a case and then run it through the resizeing die, it would then measure a bit longer, still under max case length. I think this is normal? I have tried to measure the shoulder length? That is when I realized the case gage is really needed, if the shoulder is not just right will there be head space issues?
More muddled thinking 
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Quoted:
Yes, I am having trouble finding one. Actually, my last topic/question was about crimped primer pockets, I posted pictures with 4 cases asking if the WCC cases were crimped. They were. So, off I went to purchase the Hornady primer pocket reamer. Dryflash, you had a thread going about your Forth of July, I saw the case gage you were using on your 9mm, since I am new I thought I need some of those. From Midway USA I purchased a case length gage in 9mm and 45acp, no 223 in stock. After receiving my case gages, I discovered that my Wilson case gages are not used on loaded rounds, from your thread I thought yours did. Please clear up my muddled thoughts Best place to get case gauges is Dillon, stainless steel and they are for loaded rounds in pistol calibers. What I have. The Dillon case gauge, rifle (223) is used to set your sizing die. What I have. Rifle case gauge, Case head above gauge, case not sized enough. Case head between lower machined step and end of gauge, is GTG. You adjust your die up or down depending on how the sized case "gauges". |
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Quoted: I have a Lee Breech Lock press and Lee dies, I have set the dies according to the directions. I would measure a case and then run it through the resizeing die, it would then measure a bit longer, still under max case length. I think this is normal? I have tried to measure the shoulder length? That is when I realized the case gage is really needed, if the shoulder is not just right will there be head space issues? More muddled thinking Rifle case gages are used to determine headspace and max OAL. The drop in type are simple and easy to use, see http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=407 They're not a faux chamber so checking every loaded round in them is a waste of time IMHO. I just use it to verify my sizing die is adjusted correctly and if my cases need to be trimmed Pistol case gages are usually made to minimal SAAMI chamber specs and either sized brass or finished rounds can be used in them. Like Dryflash, I check every loaded pistol round in a pistol case gage. |
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Quoted: I have a Lee Breech Lock press and Lee dies, I have set the dies according to the directions. I would measure a case and then run it through the resizeing die, it would then measure a bit longer, still under max case length. I think this is normal? I have tried to measure the shoulder length? That is when I realized the case gage is really needed, if the shoulder is not just right will there be head space issues? More muddled thinking You should be fine. I find it is hard to set back the shoulder (headspace wise) with Lee Dies used in Lee presses. Why? That is how they are designed. Some other presses will toggle over, this means the mechanism has the capacity of generating an infinite force in theory, when the ram is at the top of the stroke. Lee presses are designed so they do not toggle over center so the mechanical advantage is limited but well capable of resizing all cases that fit, primary mechanical advantage mid-stroke is INCREASED by this design. When you load for only one firearm in a caliber, all you need to make sure is the loaded rounds chamber AND you have 0.005" or less of headspace. This can be done using shims cut from 0.003" shim stock to fit between the bolt/breech face and the case head. If it chambers, you should be golden. |
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Now I am confused. When I load .223, .308 and .30-06 for semi-auto I full length size. The RCBS sizing die is simple, no adjustment for length. Set the mandrel so the decapping pin hangs down just enough to pop the primer. Screw the die in so it touches the empty shell holder when the ram is raised to top. Lower ram and screw the sizing die down another 1/4 turn (specifically so on an RCBS press it WILL cam over). The die is designed to full length size with the die bottom pressed against the shellholder. For instance, after doing this the case is about .002" under max case dimension. I believe case gauges and such are only needed for when you neck size and you want to push the shoulder back a couple thou for that specific rifle. Am I missing something here? Are you F/L sizing or neck sizing your .223? |
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I use a Dillon case gauge to setup my FL sizing dies as well(Sinclair has them in stock I think). I found with the Hornady dies if you screw them all the way in till they touch the shell holder it bumps the shoulder back .005" father than new brass much less my once fired brass. This is working the brass way to much and creating excessive head-space, so I use the gauge to set it properly (back .005" from what my fired brass is) instead of sizing it to the full length of the die which is to much in my case.
I also have the Hornady head-space gauge kit that I use with my calipers for an easier and more precise reading on how much I'm bumping my shoulders back. I use a Dillon gauge on my .40 rounds as well just to make sure they will chamber after loading like the one you seen in the other pic. |
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Thanks for the answers. I was going to load enough 223 to test my AR for powder/bullet combination this weekend, maybe I should wait until I can get a case gage. Being unsure about the headspace issue makes me uncomfortable.
I have found the case gages at Dillon Precision, it doesn't say "out of stock". $20 dollars here, $50 dollar there, soon I will need a second job! 
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