308 carbide die / head space gauge issue
Quote from Reloader on October 11, 2019, 2:30 pmSo I set the carbide resizing die in my rcbs rockchucker so that the shell holder comes in contact with the die. When I resize the brass it sits way below the bottom line on headspace gauge. I have to almost unscrew a whole turn to make it sit right in the gauge. Is this ok that it's not touching the shell plate.. I feel there is something wrong with the die. I put some factory federal match kings and sits good in the gauge. I have tried federal brass hornady and pmc and Remington. All the same if the shell plate touches the dies it sits way to low in the gauge please help. This is for a ar10 with a proof barrel.
So I set the carbide resizing die in my rcbs rockchucker so that the shell holder comes in contact with the die. When I resize the brass it sits way below the bottom line on headspace gauge. I have to almost unscrew a whole turn to make it sit right in the gauge. Is this ok that it's not touching the shell plate.. I feel there is something wrong with the die. I put some factory federal match kings and sits good in the gauge. I have tried federal brass hornady and pmc and Remington. All the same if the shell plate touches the dies it sits way to low in the gauge please help. This is for a ar10 with a proof barrel.
Quote from Reloader on October 11, 2019, 4:36 pmThe lowest part of the case doesn't need to be resized, as it is too thick to be pushed inward if it is bulged out. For a semi-automatic rifle, we recommend the sized, lube-free case drop in flush with the bottom step of the case gage. Make sure that your bolt closes on the empty case, and the case freely extracts, and you're good to go. The fact that the size die doesn't touch the shellholder is not relevant.
The lowest part of the case doesn't need to be resized, as it is too thick to be pushed inward if it is bulged out. For a semi-automatic rifle, we recommend the sized, lube-free case drop in flush with the bottom step of the case gage. Make sure that your bolt closes on the empty case, and the case freely extracts, and you're good to go. The fact that the size die doesn't touch the shellholder is not relevant.
Quote from stxhunt on June 16, 2023, 2:35 amThe die should not touch the shell plate. The bottom .200" of the case is called the "WEB". It is solid brass with the exception to the flash hole and primer pocket. Standard dies do not resize below .200". To size this part of a case it would have to be swaged or run through a roll sizer. The gap is to give you adjustment in setting back your case shoulder. Your headspace/case gauge is used to set your head space.Chambers are cut and measured with A set of steel "Go" and "No Go" gauges. The "No Go" gauge is .0035" longer than the "GO" gauge. The bolt will close on the "GO" gauge and not close on the "No Go" gauge. Ammunition is made and measured to fall inbetween that of the "Go" gauge and the "NO GO" gauge. This is called being within "SAAMI" spec.
The die should not touch the shell plate. The bottom .200" of the case is called the "WEB". It is solid brass with the exception to the flash hole and primer pocket. Standard dies do not resize below .200". To size this part of a case it would have to be swaged or run through a roll sizer. The gap is to give you adjustment in setting back your case shoulder. Your headspace/case gauge is used to set your head space.Chambers are cut and measured with A set of steel "Go" and "No Go" gauges. The "No Go" gauge is .0035" longer than the "GO" gauge. The bolt will close on the "GO" gauge and not close on the "No Go" gauge. Ammunition is made and measured to fall inbetween that of the "Go" gauge and the "NO GO" gauge. This is called being within "SAAMI" spec.