Having Trouble Setting Up Sizing Die

[Jack Leslie]

I am having trouble setting up my Redding .30-06 sizing die. I cannot get consistently sized brass. I check the brass with a RCBS Precision Mic before and after I size them and get varying results: one goes in measuring +2 and comes out 0, another +2 comes out unchanged. Sometimes a +1 comes out -4, sometimes one will come out 0.

Somewhere I read that lube can effect sizing results so I switched from Redding’s water based lube to Imperial Sizing Wax and things got better but I am still having problems. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jack

Information

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[William T. Watts]

I use only R-P cases for all the calibers I load for (headstamp isn't important, keep your cases all the same headstamp is), I load in 200 round lots and shoot those cases until it's time to recycle them. Keep records and know how many times your cases have been fired (don't mix 1X with 2X etc). As the brass hardens they need a bit more sizing because they start to spring back after sizing, when that occurs turn the die down and additional .001 or so. If my cases start to lengthen because they are becoming harden and springing back usually at the 4th firing or so I know it's time to recycle them. Additionally the Wilson headspace gauge allows a precise adjustment of your resizing die, further you can check cases before and after sizing to ensure cases are sized properly. One last thought, make sure your cases are clean, run them thru your tumbler before the sizing operation begins. HTH!! William

[Jack Leslie]

Dear Mr. Watts:

Thanks for the suggestions, however, these are all the same lot of Winchester cases on the way to their second reload (originally factory loaded). All were fired in the same rifle. They were tumbled for two hours in corn cob, wiped, and are now in the process of being sized (about 25/65 done).

Could the brass be that different that some are so work hardened while others remain pliable?

Jack

[ireload2]

Jack,
The amount of lube that you use and even the speed that you size the case can have a slight effect on the position of the shoulder. I hope you are using a O frame press compared to a C frame.
I can recommend a couple of things

1. I have found the Stoney point tool (now sold by Hornady) a little easier to use for measuring the position of the shoulder.

2. Even with your existing measuring tool the following should work.
Make sure the neck is properly lubed on the inside so the expander ball does not pull the shoulder.
Size your case slowly and retract about one inch without pulling it over the expander. Reach down and spin the case about one half turn and resize again slowly. Let the press dwell to a count of 5 at full stroke.
After sizing 2 times pull it out carefully and measure.
You should get more consistent results. I know that I do.

[gunner]

I had the same problems with .308Win. cases from Norma plus somtimes a ding in the shoulder of the cases. The solution for my problem was to drill a second ventilation hole in the die and use a synthetic motoroil to lubricate the cases that is much thinner and couldnt plug the ventilation hole.

Regards,

Gunner

[Jack Leslie]

ireload2:

My press is neither an "O" type or a "C" type, it is a Redding Turret. While closer to a "C" than and "O" it has a good reputation for not flexing. Everything is snugged down quite tightly.

I had thought that I was being careful with both my lube and press stroke, but when I got really paranoid the results improved. The trick of spinning the shell helped too. I also used mica inside the neck this time - I never bothered since I use a carbide sizing button, but I guess I shouldn't believe everything that I read in an ad.

Thanks.

gunner:

I don't have quite the self confidence in my reloading to start drilling holes in my sizer die yet, but I if my consistency problems reoccur, I just might! Thanks for the suggestions.

Jack

[MEHavey]

1. Is the expander ball hard to pull through the neck to the point of "sqeaking" even w/ motor mica? If so, aneal the necks to re-soften them and prevent the ball pulling things "up" as it exits.

2. I lube the cases now with my fingers as I pick each one up. Given I'll go a half-dozen+ cases without any new lube on the thumb/forefinger, that means I only have a very thin coat of lube on the side of the case. Nothing can get onto the shoulder that way.

[Jack Leslie]

MEHavey:

1) My carbide expander button does not squeek, with or without mica.

2) I had been using more lube, but I have been using much less lube with better results.

Jack

[ireload2]

Jack.
Your Redding turret is plenty beefy. I only mentioned that because some folks are still trying to use light weight C presses and they are not so hot. I once had a very heavy cobra style C press and even it would spring .007 to .008 resizing .30-06.
If you are using the turret for speed, trying for speed will cause some variation in your processes especially in precision sizing large heavy tapered bottle necked cases.

I tried using mica once upon a time but it didn't seem to be much of a lubricant.
On top of that it is a mineral.
I perform all operation in batches so using case lube is not a problem to me.
You still have lube on the outside of the case anyway. I just rinse it off with IPA and wipe out the case neck with a cotton patch on a slotted jag.

EDG