223 bullets slide back into brass
Quote from Reloader on July 23, 2015, 2:52 amSo I am new to reloading bottle neck rifle cartridges, I have been loading straight walled pistol rounds with no problem. Then I bought a set of Dillon .223 dies, and now I am struggling.
I went through the set up procedure step by step, and followed the instructions explicitly. Next I lube a case resize and deprime it, then do all my case prep. Trim to 1.750, debur, and chamfer the case neck, clean the primer pocket and tumble all the lube off.
Once I get my nice processed brass ready, I am ready to reload, or so I thought. When I load a test round ( no primer or powder) to check dimensions one last time I can put a very modest amount of pressure on the tip of the projectile, and it just collapses into the brass. This happens both before and and after the crimp die.
I have tried cleaning inside the case necks ( denatured alcohol on a cotton swab) thinking maybe there was excess lube in there. That did not work.
I have adjusted and re adjusted the sizing die ( the cases drop freely from the case gauge)
I have the overall length set to 2.250.
I am loading 55gr hornandy projectiles into mixed head stamp brass.
I am just not sure what else to try.
If anyone has any suggestions this confused newbie would sure appreciate them!
So I am new to reloading bottle neck rifle cartridges, I have been loading straight walled pistol rounds with no problem. Then I bought a set of Dillon .223 dies, and now I am struggling.
I went through the set up procedure step by step, and followed the instructions explicitly. Next I lube a case resize and deprime it, then do all my case prep. Trim to 1.750, debur, and chamfer the case neck, clean the primer pocket and tumble all the lube off.
Once I get my nice processed brass ready, I am ready to reload, or so I thought. When I load a test round ( no primer or powder) to check dimensions one last time I can put a very modest amount of pressure on the tip of the projectile, and it just collapses into the brass. This happens both before and and after the crimp die.
I have tried cleaning inside the case necks ( denatured alcohol on a cotton swab) thinking maybe there was excess lube in there. That did not work.
I have adjusted and re adjusted the sizing die ( the cases drop freely from the case gauge)
I have the overall length set to 2.250.
I am loading 55gr hornandy projectiles into mixed head stamp brass.
I am just not sure what else to try.
If anyone has any suggestions this confused newbie would sure appreciate them!
Quote from Reloader on July 23, 2015, 6:19 pmDoes the bottom of the size die contact the top of the shellplate?
See how snug the bullet is after seating, but before crimping.
Does the bottom of the size die contact the top of the shellplate?
See how snug the bullet is after seating, but before crimping.
Quote from Reloader on July 24, 2015, 3:02 pmIt appears I have solved my own problem. Sort of.....
It seems the issue was with the sizing die not being set up correctly.
I ran the sizing die down until it contacted the shell plate, and then turned it back 1/4 turn and locked it down. When I sized the case it was above the top step in my case gauge and the projectile pushed out easily. So I went down in 1/8 turn increments until the case was below the top step but above the bottom 1, and when that happened the projectiles stopped pushing back in the case. It ended up taking 3, 1/8 turns. Which means I am 1/8 turn below contacting the shell plate. If I go 1/16 turn farther the handle will not fully cycle. The contact with the shell plate is minimal i believe. It does not change my OAL so i believe it to be acceptable.
This appears to have fixed my original issue as the projectiles no longer push back into the case under pressure. However it has opened up a new question. I can not adjust the die any lower, and the cases are essentially in the middle of the case gauge range. Shouldn't I be able to get to the bottom of the range?
It appears I have solved my own problem. Sort of.....
It seems the issue was with the sizing die not being set up correctly.
I ran the sizing die down until it contacted the shell plate, and then turned it back 1/4 turn and locked it down. When I sized the case it was above the top step in my case gauge and the projectile pushed out easily. So I went down in 1/8 turn increments until the case was below the top step but above the bottom 1, and when that happened the projectiles stopped pushing back in the case. It ended up taking 3, 1/8 turns. Which means I am 1/8 turn below contacting the shell plate. If I go 1/16 turn farther the handle will not fully cycle. The contact with the shell plate is minimal i believe. It does not change my OAL so i believe it to be acceptable.
This appears to have fixed my original issue as the projectiles no longer push back into the case under pressure. However it has opened up a new question. I can not adjust the die any lower, and the cases are essentially in the middle of the case gauge range. Shouldn't I be able to get to the bottom of the range?
Quote from Reloader on July 24, 2015, 6:49 pmIt appears I have solved my own problem. Sort of.....
It seems the issue was with the sizing die not being set up correctly.
I ran the sizing die down until it contacted the shell plate, and then turned it back 1/4 turn and locked it down. When I sized the case it was above the top step in my case gauge and the projectile pushed out easily. So I went down in 1/8 turn increments until the case was below the top step but above the bottom 1, and when that happened the projectiles stopped pushing back in the case. It ended up taking 3, 1/8 turns. Which means I am 1/8 turn below contacting the shell plate. If I go 1/16 turn farther the handle will not fully cycle. The contact with the shell plate is minimal i believe. It does not change my OAL so i believe it to be acceptable.
This appears to have fixed my original issue as the projectiles no longer push back into the case under pressure. However it has opened up a new question. I can not adjust the die any lower, and the cases are essentially in the middle of the case gauge range. Shouldn't I be able to get to the bottom of the range?
It appears I have solved my own problem. Sort of.....
It seems the issue was with the sizing die not being set up correctly.
I ran the sizing die down until it contacted the shell plate, and then turned it back 1/4 turn and locked it down. When I sized the case it was above the top step in my case gauge and the projectile pushed out easily. So I went down in 1/8 turn increments until the case was below the top step but above the bottom 1, and when that happened the projectiles stopped pushing back in the case. It ended up taking 3, 1/8 turns. Which means I am 1/8 turn below contacting the shell plate. If I go 1/16 turn farther the handle will not fully cycle. The contact with the shell plate is minimal i believe. It does not change my OAL so i believe it to be acceptable.
This appears to have fixed my original issue as the projectiles no longer push back into the case under pressure. However it has opened up a new question. I can not adjust the die any lower, and the cases are essentially in the middle of the case gauge range. Shouldn't I be able to get to the bottom of the range?
Quote from Reloader on August 12, 2015, 11:27 pmI do not know if your using NEW brass or shot once brass. But Shot once brass, the cases tend to strech ! That means after sizing the case, it will strech out longer than the maximum case length. That could be why they protude above the case gage !
I do not know if your using NEW brass or shot once brass. But Shot once brass, the cases tend to strech ! That means after sizing the case, it will strech out longer than the maximum case length. That could be why they protude above the case gage !