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Posted: 8/21/2013 10:35:02 AM EDT
| im relativly new to reloading.ive done .357,.38,44 and 223/556 with pretty good results.i bought a set of rcbs dies in .308 to reload for a m1a and a home built ar10.i went by the book with all the lenghts.my book shows 2.80 as oal.i went to the range the other other day and my reloaded shells would not chamber.the bolts on both guns would not close completly.i came home and got to looking at things.i measured a factory winchester .308 which chamber fine in my guns and the oal was like 2.7930....so i put my shells back in the press and shortened them to that.i took a few a put them in a mag,took everything outside to see if they would chanmber....no go.....so i got to looking at the necked down area of the shell and it looks a little ..i guess funky...unlike the factory rounds.....im stuck any help would be great....i used cbc and ppu cases.thanks |
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Did you bottom out the die with the ram all the way to the top? Sounds like a shoulder set back issue to be. You might need to bump the shoulder of the case back more (screw die in more). VERY MINOR adjustments is what you're looking at.
ETA: What type/kind of crimp are you using if any? Sure you're not messing up the case with too much crimp? |
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Quoted:
well for the crimp i used the seating die.i backed out the bullet seater and did it like the manual showed.is that wrong? So long as the brass is trimmed and all the SAME length, it's ok to use the built in crimp. When brass cases are varied in length, the crimp differs round to round. I suspect you did not bump the shoulder back enough on the case when you sized it. |
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Quoted:
Did you bottom out the die with the ram all the way to the top? Sounds like a shoulder set back issue to be. You might need to bump the shoulder of the case back more (screw die in more). VERY MINOR adjustments is what you're looking at. ETA: What type/kind of crimp are you using if any? Sure you're not messing up the case with too much crimp? Highlighted in red. I had the same problem with .243 once upon a time. Could you take pictures of the cases in question as well? That might help just in case its not the shoulder setback. |
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I'm betting you don't have the shoulder bumped back enough. When I first start I learned the hard way that you should have a case guage for all the bottle neck calibers you shoot in a semi-auto guns. It lets you bump the shoulder back to just the right amount with out over working the brass. Had to "un-build" about 200 rounds of .223 to learn this lesson. Sounds like a case guage would help you lots.
edit for grammer |
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Quoted:
I'm betting you don't have the shoulder bumped back enough. When I first start I learned the hard way that you should have a case guage for all the bottle neck calibers you shoot in a semi-auto guns. It lets you bump the shoulder back to just the right amount with out over working the brass. Had to "un-build" about 200 rounds of .223 to learn this lesson. Sounds like a case guage would help you lots. edit for grammer This. 1. Make sure you are not using a " neck die ". You want FL or SB ( full length or small base ) dies. 2. Re check the instructions on the sizing die. Generally the ram touches the bottom of the die, then you crank the die down 1/4 to 1/3 of a turn, then tighten. 3. Pull a few rounds, lube and re-size the case - then check to see if they chamber. 4. Load a few and check chamber feed again ( before you load another batch ). |
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Not wrong, just has to be done carefully. I messed up some loads recently by setting the die too far down and I flared the case out right at the shoulder. They wouldn't chamber. Might check to see if the cases are flared right where the shoulder meets the longest part of the case. I bought a case gauge after that.
Quoted:
well for the crimp i used the seating die.i backed out the bullet seater and did it like the manual showed.is that wrong? |
| Ok thanks for all the good insight!...I took a few. Unsized cases and cleaned and lubed them up.next I took the sizing die as instructed and set it. To bottom out on the case holder then let the ram down and gave a extra turn.I then locked the ring and ran a few cases up there..they looked better even right from the gitgo.then I set a bullet in and seated it to 2.80...grabbed the. Unprimed cases and put them in a mag.pulled the charging handle back and. Let it close to battery...it closed right up,,!..again thanks for all the help I was really in need of guidance! I guess it was what was. Mentioned..the shoulder needing to be set back...now I have to unbuild 150 rounds! |
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Quoted:
This. 1. Make sure you are not using a " neck die ". You want FL or SB ( full length or small base ) dies. 2. Re check the instructions on the sizing die. Generally the ram touches the bottom of the die, then you crank the die down 1/4 to 1/3 of a turn, then tighten. 3. Pull a few rounds, lube and re-size the case - then check to see if they chamber. 4. Load a few and check chamber feed again ( before you load another batch ). Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm betting you don't have the shoulder bumped back enough. When I first start I learned the hard way that you should have a case guage for all the bottle neck calibers you shoot in a semi-auto guns. It lets you bump the shoulder back to just the right amount with out over working the brass. Had to "un-build" about 200 rounds of .223 to learn this lesson. Sounds like a case guage would help you lots. edit for grammer This. 1. Make sure you are not using a " neck die ". You want FL or SB ( full length or small base ) dies. 2. Re check the instructions on the sizing die. Generally the ram touches the bottom of the die, then you crank the die down 1/4 to 1/3 of a turn, then tighten. 3. Pull a few rounds, lube and re-size the case - then check to see if they chamber. 4. Load a few and check chamber feed again ( before you load another batch ). THIS. sounds like you may just have got a neck sizing die. ETA: nvm looks like ya got it! |
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Quoted: Forgot to add....the only thing I really dont understand is this....I have a. Dillon case gauge and the messed up rounds go in there the same as a good round.are these only for showing useable case length? To trim or not? Headspace end; when inserted into gauge, case head should be below end of gauge but above the cut. A case that is not sized enough, the head of the case will be above the end of the gauge.
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Quoted:
THIS. sounds like you may just have got a neck sizing die. ETA: nvm looks like ya got it! Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm betting you don't have the shoulder bumped back enough. When I first start I learned the hard way that you should have a case guage for all the bottle neck calibers you shoot in a semi-auto guns. It lets you bump the shoulder back to just the right amount with out over working the brass. Had to "un-build" about 200 rounds of .223 to learn this lesson. Sounds like a case guage would help you lots. edit for grammer This. 1. Make sure you are not using a " neck die ". You want FL or SB ( full length or small base ) dies. 2. Re check the instructions on the sizing die. Generally the ram top of the shell plate touches the bottom of the die, then you crank the die down 1/4 to 1/3 of a turn, then tighten.3. Pull a few rounds, lube and re-size the case - then check to see if they chamber. 4. Load a few and check chamber feed again ( before you load another batch ). THIS. sounds like you may just have got a neck sizing die. ETA: nvm looks like ya got it! But the OP said he took it down "a turn", after touch down, implying one full turn. I think that might be too much. A standard die body thread will be 7/8 - 14 UNF thread. That will cause a 1/14 or .071 advance per turn. Anyway it's working, so good! |
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by ccw
But the OP said he took it down "a turn", after touch down, implying one full turn. I think that might be too much. A standard die body thread will be 7/8 - 14 UNF thread. That will cause a 1/14 or .071 advance per turn. Anyway it's working, so good! Yeah, I saw that. He said he gave it " an extra turn ". 
OP check the RCBS sizing die instructions. When it's correct, you'll get the press handle to " cam over " the last of the ram stroke. Then re-verify the ammunition will feed your weapons. |
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