Malformed 308 case
Quote from Reloader on May 19, 2012, 8:31 pmI used a cheaper die set to begin reloading 308 (7.62x51mm). I inadvertently backed off 1/4 turn from the shellplate instead of tightening 1/4 turn resulting in very slight difference in case shape so that dummy rounds or empty cases will not easily chamber in my Howa lever action rifle. Dummy rounds will chamber and extract in my FNAR auto-loader under the heavy bolt spring force. Will Dillon dies correct this problem with malformed cases (58 of them)? Or will firing these rounds, if loaded, in the FNAR reform the cases so that next go-around they will feed and function in the Howa? I should have stuck with Dillon in the 1st place but didn't think I would be doing very much with 308 ammo until I got hooked. The Howa Ranch Rifle and the FNH FNAR are both very sweet machines with outstanding accuracy. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
I used a cheaper die set to begin reloading 308 (7.62x51mm). I inadvertently backed off 1/4 turn from the shellplate instead of tightening 1/4 turn resulting in very slight difference in case shape so that dummy rounds or empty cases will not easily chamber in my Howa lever action rifle. Dummy rounds will chamber and extract in my FNAR auto-loader under the heavy bolt spring force. Will Dillon dies correct this problem with malformed cases (58 of them)? Or will firing these rounds, if loaded, in the FNAR reform the cases so that next go-around they will feed and function in the Howa? I should have stuck with Dillon in the 1st place but didn't think I would be doing very much with 308 ammo until I got hooked. The Howa Ranch Rifle and the FNH FNAR are both very sweet machines with outstanding accuracy. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
Quote from Reloader on May 21, 2012, 2:50 pmIf you haven't actually loaded any of the cases, you can readjust the size die, relube the brass, and resize the cases. This won't damage anything. If you have loaded any of the cases, you must use a bullet puller to disassemble them before resizing them.
If you haven't actually loaded any of the cases, you can readjust the size die, relube the brass, and resize the cases. This won't damage anything. If you have loaded any of the cases, you must use a bullet puller to disassemble them before resizing them.
Quote from Reloader on May 22, 2012, 12:01 amWell, in the meantime I loaded a few rounds to test fire in the FNAR because I believe it would be safe and it would reform the the cases. But this is a trial. Also I've tried to reset the resizer/decapper die per the instructions of the manufacturer of the "cheaper die". So far this has resulted in stuck cases and produced no useful results. It appears that the problem is a slight bulge in the neck cone that bottoms in the chamber. Also I've cycled some of the empty cases thru the Howa and with more force (possibly excessive force) managed to get some of them to chamber and eject - but with high lever force. I have experience and equipment with pulling loaded ammo and that's not a problem - just a little work. My questions are: would the Dillon resizer/decapper die reshape the cases and remove the slight bulge in the neck cone. Also, are you concerned about my firing some test rounds in the FNAR to see if they reform? Or do you have other suggestions such as replacing my cheap dies with Dillon Dies ?
Well, in the meantime I loaded a few rounds to test fire in the FNAR because I believe it would be safe and it would reform the the cases. But this is a trial. Also I've tried to reset the resizer/decapper die per the instructions of the manufacturer of the "cheaper die". So far this has resulted in stuck cases and produced no useful results. It appears that the problem is a slight bulge in the neck cone that bottoms in the chamber. Also I've cycled some of the empty cases thru the Howa and with more force (possibly excessive force) managed to get some of them to chamber and eject - but with high lever force. I have experience and equipment with pulling loaded ammo and that's not a problem - just a little work. My questions are: would the Dillon resizer/decapper die reshape the cases and remove the slight bulge in the neck cone. Also, are you concerned about my firing some test rounds in the FNAR to see if they reform? Or do you have other suggestions such as replacing my cheap dies with Dillon Dies ?