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10/27/2015 7:53:21 PM EDT
I'm using a RCBS press mounted swager. I have had no issues from it until today. I switched to Dillon .223 dies. When I started swaging the brass I had used the dillon sizing die on, they will barely go over the swaging rod, if at all. It is happening across different headstamps, not just one type of brass.

Has anyone else had this issue?

10/27/2015 8:08:46 PM EDT
[#1]
Why are you sizing the brass before swaging? Personally I think swaging, sizing, trimming is the correct order of operation.

Try a case that has not been sized yet.
10/27/2015 8:10:55 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Quoted:
Why are you sizing the brass before swaging? Personally I think swaging, sizing, trimming is the correct order of operation.

Try a case that has not been sized yet.
View Quote



Because it sizes and decaps at the same time. Brass can't be swaged unless the primer is out.

I did not have this problem sizing and decapping with RCBS full length and small base dies or Lee dies.
10/27/2015 8:32:29 PM EDT
[#3]
I believe you'll find that all Dillon dies are equivalent to small base dies. A friend of mine uses a small base die to tighten up the primer pockets slightly once they begin to enlarge to get a few more firings.



Might explain what you're experiencing.
10/27/2015 8:40:16 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:
I believe you'll find that all Dillon dies are equivalent to small base dies. A friend of mine uses a small base die to tighten up the primer pockets slightly once they begin to enlarge to get a few more firings.

Might explain what you're experiencing.
View Quote


My problem has to do with the case neck. The RCBS press mounted swager has a rod that goes down through the case. The rod doesn't fit through the neck with the dillon sized brass.

I just grabbed 10 random, unsized pieces of brass. All 10 slid over the rod with no problems.

Looks like I won't be able to size and decap with Dillon dies and swage with the RCBS press mounted swager. Very aggravating.
10/27/2015 8:59:56 PM EDT
[#5]

Quoted:


I'm using a RCBS press mounted swager. I have had no issues from it until today. I switched to Dillon .223 dies. When I started swaging the brass I had used the dillon sizing die on, they will barely go over the swaging rod, if at all. It is happening across different headstamps, not just one type of brass.



Has anyone else had this issue?



View Quote




 
I don't think the sizing die has a bearing on this. I have Dillon, Hornady, and RCBS 223 sizing dies.




With different headstamps the web thickness varies.




Which means you should sort cases to headstamp, adjust rod for that headstamp, then move on to the next headstamp.




As long as the primer pocket starts over the swaging spud the swage will be fine.




You are right to size/deprime before swaging.




Be careful to not over swage. Swage a case and seat a primer.




If it doesn't seat, adjust for more crimp and try again.




If primer seats too easy, well you only ruined 1 case. Adjust some swage out by raising rod.




If you can post a pic of what you think is the problem. (instructions at the top of the page if you need it, in FAQ's)
10/27/2015 9:04:19 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:

  I don't think the sizing die has a bearing on this. I have Dillon, Hornady, and RCBS 223 sizing dies.


With different headstamps the web thickness varies.


Which means you should sort cases to headstamp, adjust rod for that headstamp, then move on to the next headstamp.


As long as the primer pocket starts over the swaging spud the swage will be fine.


You are right to size/deprime before swaging.


Be careful to not over swage. Swage a case and seat a primer.


If it doesn't seat, adjust for more crimp and try again.


If primer seats too easy, well you only ruined 1 case. Adjust some swage out by raising rod.


If you can post a pic of what you think is the problem. (instructions at the top of the page if you need it, in FAQ's)
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm using a RCBS press mounted swager. I have had no issues from it until today. I switched to Dillon .223 dies. When I started swaging the brass I had used the dillon sizing die on, they will barely go over the swaging rod, if at all. It is happening across different headstamps, not just one type of brass.

Has anyone else had this issue?


  I don't think the sizing die has a bearing on this. I have Dillon, Hornady, and RCBS 223 sizing dies.


With different headstamps the web thickness varies.


Which means you should sort cases to headstamp, adjust rod for that headstamp, then move on to the next headstamp.


As long as the primer pocket starts over the swaging spud the swage will be fine.


You are right to size/deprime before swaging.


Be careful to not over swage. Swage a case and seat a primer.


If it doesn't seat, adjust for more crimp and try again.


If primer seats too easy, well you only ruined 1 case. Adjust some swage out by raising rod.


If you can post a pic of what you think is the problem. (instructions at the top of the page if you need it, in FAQ's)


The swaging spud isn't the problem. It's the rod that goes into the case. The neck is too small and the rod can't go down into the case.

I just tried 10 unsized, random pieces. No problems.
10/27/2015 9:31:12 PM EDT
[#7]
They must of made the rod diameter much larger when they "improved" this tool because the rods bent a lot. Due to improper adjustment.



If you have a decapping die, decapp first then swage.




10/27/2015 10:46:06 PM EDT
[#8]
Mine has two different size rods in it. A big one. I guess for 308

And a small one for II guess 556/223 . It is a pita, I ream now much easier on the hands.
10/27/2015 11:01:41 PM EDT
[#9]
1) Make sure you are using the correct rod.

2) Make sure that the end of the rod has not gotten larger in diameter from being compressed (mushroomed).

Motor
10/27/2015 11:04:41 PM EDT
[#10]
Applying some lube to the swager head helps the entire operation run smoother. Imperial works for me.
10/28/2015 1:05:47 AM EDT
[#11]

Quote History
Quoted:


1) Make sure you are using the correct rod.




2) Make sure that the end of the rod has not gotten larger in diameter from being compressed (mushroomed).



Motor
View Quote




 
Think you guys hit it, OP using the 30 cal rod on 223 cases.




It's been 15 years since I used my RCBS swager.
10/28/2015 4:21:31 AM EDT
[#12]
The OP said the rod fits a fired case but not a sized case
To me it sounds like he's using the correct rod
Fired cases necks are larger than sized cases
I know you know this, when you size a fired case, the neck diameter is reduced, usually more than needed
Then the sizing button is pulled through the neck to open it back up to accept a new bullet. The size of that button effects how much the neck is opened up.
There are other methods of doing this, like bushing dies and mandrels.
10/28/2015 8:40:12 AM EDT
[#13]
Measure the expander button in the Dillon FL die and compare it to the expander button on your other dies.
10/28/2015 4:12:11 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote History
Quoted:

  Think you guys hit it, OP using the 30 cal rod on 223 cases.


It's been 15 years since I used my RCBS swager.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
1) Make sure you are using the correct rod.

2) Make sure that the end of the rod has not gotten larger in diameter from being compressed (mushroomed).

Motor

  Think you guys hit it, OP using the 30 cal rod on 223 cases.


It's been 15 years since I used my RCBS swager.


Maybe.  But I'm leaning towards #2 because he said it will fit through a fired case. It probably wouldn't take too much mushrooming to make it not fit although the set I have has been used and abused but still works.

I'll go measure the parts and edit this post.

The small rod in my kit is .220" diameter.

The OP either has an oversized rod or a mushroomed one.

The large rod is .260" so that rules that out.

Motor
10/28/2015 5:07:28 PM EDT
[#15]
I'm definitely using the small rod. I'll measure it.
10/28/2015 11:30:35 PM EDT
[#16]
The neck is being sized down smaller than the diameter of the support rod. Swager before sizing, or reduce the support rod diameter.
10/29/2015 2:39:07 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote History
Quoted:
Measure the expander button in the Dillon FL die and compare it to the expander button on your other dies.
View Quote



This & the suggestion to check the rod in the RCBS die for mushrooming.
10/31/2015 2:06:46 PM EDT
[#18]
Dillon expander measured .2105. RCBS expander measured .221. The rod on swager measured .217.
10/31/2015 4:32:50 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Quoted:
Dillon expander measured .2105. RCBS expander measured .221. The rod on swager measured .217.
View Quote


Holy Cow!!!! .2105 ? I think you found your problem.  Does it even contact the inside diameter of the neck?

I don't have Dillon equipment so I can't say if that is normal but I wouldn't think it should be that small. I'm sure you will get good answers. Lots of Dillon users here.

Motor
10/31/2015 9:12:57 PM EDT
[#20]
Before I measured it, I tried to sit a bullet into one of the Dillon sized cases. It wouldn't sit in there so I knew then I had a problem. I guess it's good I found the problem before I started shaving bullets trying to get them to seat.
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