m1903a1 tryout results

[rugersworld]

Get a redding body die.
Get the hornady case comparator gauges that let you measure a reference point on the case shoulder.
Get a feeler gauge so you can set an accurate distance between the bottom of the die and the top of the shell holder when the ram is brought up.
Sort all that brass by head stamp and you can then even sort by weight.

I have been down this same road with a new criterion barrel. I have RCBS FL dies and they are tricky to get an accurate full length size with a shoulder bump. The redding die can be used without having to make sure the case is trimmed to correct length first as I discovered with my RCBS die.
I bought over 350 "once fired" FC cases and had very differing full sized length issues until I sorted them by weight. I ran some cases into the chamber to check fit and separated them by easily chambered, resistance, and not chambering. Them I measured them with the comparator gauge to see the differences in the shoulder lengths. The body die was set up with the feeler gauge to bump the right amount of shoulder and cases were checked in the chamber again, then trimmed when they were right. Now I have zero issues with the batch of cases for this rifle. oh, and the case head to shoulder measurement of a fired case was not much shorter than my 03a3 or 1903 that chamber fine, maybe .002-.003.

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[El Woodman]

You might want to check your followe for markings...If there is an "E", "R", or a "W", your follower is from a m1917 rifle...Had one syick on me before...