308 Help
Quote from Reloader on April 26, 2018, 1:34 pmI have reloaded many thousands of rounds of 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP in the past on my 550B press and never had an issue. Since I have become comfortable with reloading pistol ammo I decided I would get into making some 308 WIN ammo. I have purchased the Dillon dies for 308 and so far have not been able to get past the first stage of the press. I will either have it to where it won't resize the brass enough so when I try to load a projectile it falls right into the casing. When I adjust the sizing die to where it will resize the neck to the diameter that it needs to be, it takes a ton of effort to size the brass. I have read that some people use another single stage press to size the brass before using the Dillon 550B but I am sure the 550B should be able to do it all. Any help would be appreciated as my 308 reloading is DOA at the moment.
I have reloaded many thousands of rounds of 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP in the past on my 550B press and never had an issue. Since I have become comfortable with reloading pistol ammo I decided I would get into making some 308 WIN ammo. I have purchased the Dillon dies for 308 and so far have not been able to get past the first stage of the press. I will either have it to where it won't resize the brass enough so when I try to load a projectile it falls right into the casing. When I adjust the sizing die to where it will resize the neck to the diameter that it needs to be, it takes a ton of effort to size the brass. I have read that some people use another single stage press to size the brass before using the Dillon 550B but I am sure the 550B should be able to do it all. Any help would be appreciated as my 308 reloading is DOA at the moment.
Quote from Reloader on April 27, 2018, 4:10 pmThe 308 Winchester case does require considerable effort to resize, do to the case geometry. When adjusting the size die, in general, the size die will contact the top of the shellplate.
Be sure to use case lube, and with aerosol lubes, be sure to wait 10-15 minutes after lubing so the alcohol carrier can evaporate. Avoid the water soluble lubes, as they are not sufficient for 308 lubrication
The 308 Winchester case does require considerable effort to resize, do to the case geometry. When adjusting the size die, in general, the size die will contact the top of the shellplate.
Be sure to use case lube, and with aerosol lubes, be sure to wait 10-15 minutes after lubing so the alcohol carrier can evaporate. Avoid the water soluble lubes, as they are not sufficient for 308 lubrication
Quote from Reloader on February 23, 2019, 1:12 pmWell I have tried reloading the 308 again and this time the brass is stuck in the size die and is stuck. There was considerable force required when inserting the brass into the die and once it was completely into the die I tried to bring the brass and shell plate back down, I could not. I had to get it out of the reloader so I applied more pressure which resulted in the shell plate ripping off part of the brass and allowing me to bring the shell plate down. At that point I took the die out of the press and I cannot get the die components apart nor the brass unstuck from the die. What can I do now that I have brass that will not come out of the die?
Well I have tried reloading the 308 again and this time the brass is stuck in the size die and is stuck. There was considerable force required when inserting the brass into the die and once it was completely into the die I tried to bring the brass and shell plate back down, I could not. I had to get it out of the reloader so I applied more pressure which resulted in the shell plate ripping off part of the brass and allowing me to bring the shell plate down. At that point I took the die out of the press and I cannot get the die components apart nor the brass unstuck from the die. What can I do now that I have brass that will not come out of the die?
Quote from Reloader on March 12, 2019, 3:57 amGet an RCBS Stuck Case Remover and you will be able to pull the stuck case. Also start using Imperial die wax to lube your cases. I load many thousands of .308 per year and that's all I use. Smear the lube on your hands and just run the cases back and forth between your hands to cover them well. Not too much and you will be fine.
Be sure you are setting the die up properly. It sounds from your description like you are not getting the die adjusted properly. Raise the shell plate up until it's full up, and screw the die in until it contacts the shell plate. Lower the ram and screw the die in about 1/8 turn more and lock it. That should work. You might need to slightly adjust the die up or down but the lever should cam over slightly to be sure the case is properly sized.
Also get a good case gauge and check every few cases until you are sure they are good, then check about every 200 cases thereafter.
Get an RCBS Stuck Case Remover and you will be able to pull the stuck case. Also start using Imperial die wax to lube your cases. I load many thousands of .308 per year and that's all I use. Smear the lube on your hands and just run the cases back and forth between your hands to cover them well. Not too much and you will be fine.
Be sure you are setting the die up properly. It sounds from your description like you are not getting the die adjusted properly. Raise the shell plate up until it's full up, and screw the die in until it contacts the shell plate. Lower the ram and screw the die in about 1/8 turn more and lock it. That should work. You might need to slightly adjust the die up or down but the lever should cam over slightly to be sure the case is properly sized.
Also get a good case gauge and check every few cases until you are sure they are good, then check about every 200 cases thereafter.