Sand the shell holder or?

[K_4c]

Here's my situation guys....

I've got 200 loaded rounds (Lupua .308 case/175 smk combo) set up for an auto loader I recently sold. I purchased a custom badger m2008 build cut for 175 SMK's. I figured I'd have to bump the shoulders back accordingly but found another issue. The portion of the case (closest to the case head) is approximately .005 wider then my chamber (rounds won't chamber). So, I figured a set of small base dies would remedy this issue. After running a few loaded rounds threw the SB die I noticed the portion of the case that does not enter the die was untouched (problem still exist).

my question: Can I simply sand down my shell holder to accommodate the last .04" (***edit*** not .125", that measurement is from the deck of the shell holder to the face) needed to fully resize the entire case? or will this cause some unforeseen amount of stress in the case structure and ultimately result in a case head separation?

Thanks for any feedback rendered here gents....

ps the Lupua cases only have 4X firings on them.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

You can try but, by sanding the sh, the whole case still goes in the die, you're going to end up bumping your shoulder back way too much, maybe even rolling it out, then you have issues.
Maybe look for a longer die, say 30-06 the same diameter and sand the sh.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: K_4c</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's my situation guys....

I've got 200 loaded rounds (Lupua .308 case/175 smk combo) set up for an auto loader I recently sold. I purchased a custom badger m2008 build cut for 175 SMK's. I figured I'd have to bump the shoulders back accordingly but found another issue. The portion of the case (closest to the case head) is approximately .005 wider then my chamber (rounds won't chamber). So, I figured a set of small base dies would remedy this issue. After running a few loaded rounds threw the SB die I noticed the portion of the case that does not enter the die was untouched (problem still exist).

my question: Can I simply sand down my shell holder to accommodate the last .125" needed to fully resize the entire case? or will this cause some unforeseen amount of stress in the case structure and ultimately result in a case head separation?

Thanks for any feedback rendered here gents....

ps the Lupua cases only have 4X firings on them. </div></div>

.125" is a lot to 'sand' off the end of a die. There goes the heat treating, which may, or may not, matter.

If it were me, I'd pull down the ammo, saving the bullets and powder.

I'd probably punch out the primers and save that brass for another weapon, or sell it, recouping some cash, but probably not a lot.

Either that, or save that ammo for another weapon down the road.

Chris

 

[K_4c]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

Guess I'll try on one and see what I get.... the few I did use the SB on, I noticed the shoulder grew.

As stated, I just need resize the entire OD (outside diameter) of the case and literally have a few thousandths to go. I figured, the shell holder was the cheapest component to F up (my logic of thinking).

I'll follow up with an update and pic if this little trick works.

thanks guys

 

[280nosler]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

So you think the last .125 of the shell at the base is the hinderance when chambering? If that is the case, that your Lapua brass is that blown out, the gun you were shooting it from has a dangerously loose chamber. Do you have a chamber (field, go, no-go, or 7.62 positive or negative) gauge to test your chamber? I have 3 308's, 2 of which are technically 7.62, and I can interchange ammo as much as I want (I don't, but it is easy to gauge ammo with a dummy round).

You could order one of these sets, but it won't give you a .125. Also, the problem may lie within your die. I have seen 5 sets of RCBS dies that were out of spec, all by more than just a thousandth of an inch.

BTW - don't grind your die or shell holder, the opposing ram (what ever was not ground) that still has it's heat treatment in place will literally pound the part you ground/sanded until it is worthless.

 

[K_4c]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

Just the last .040" (due to the SB die/shell holder leaving that small portion of the case unaffected by the sizing process).

I already have a redding comp shell holder kit (which is used to tailor how much I bump the shoulder back). But I simply need the die to accept the last .040" of the case. I should be good then.

 

[K_4c]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe look for a longer die, say 30-06 the same diameter and sand the sh. </div></div>

this may be the answer. Thanks bud

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

If the problem is the die why 'fix' the shellholder?

If you have four reloads in that rifle on that brass and it's now some 5 thou too large at the head suggests you have an unadressed cause that should be getting your attention.

Any reloader who is "pounding" any part of his tools, except an inertia bullet puller, is doing something incorrectly. Sizers and shell holders are case hardened to reduce sliding contact wear, not to take impact.

 

[K_4c]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

The problem is not with my dies or shell holder... the issue is I'm trying to resize brass shot from a semi auto (OBR) to a custom bolt action. Tolerances are tighter.

I'll provide some pics later tonight to help explain.

 

[fish30114]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

Well I'll go a different route here and say I think your original idea is probably worth a go. And I actually agree with your thinking, a shelllholder is a cheap piece of kit to FU if it doesn't work. I will say that I think you need to get brass dedicated to that rifle which has a tighter chamber than your gas gun, and just go from there. But for now I think zizzing about .050 off your shellholder to get more of the case in the die is worth a whirl. Another thing I have seen folks try is to put a feeler gauge between the bottom of the shellholder and the brass to get more of the case into the die, and then you can determine exactly how much more 'sizing' you need to get.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

K_4c,
II just went through this with 7 saum brass, had to bag 405 pieces for the recycle bin. Bumped the shoulders back .012-.015 on five times fired brass, just gernades waiting to go off.
Really, just find new brass and give the old to whomever bought your gun. Life will be easier.

 

[K_4c]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

I'm going to try one with the refinished shell holder, check dims and report back.

I'm almost ready to throw my rcbs SB die on the lathe and hone it out (basically turn it into a body die with a straight wall design, therefore sizing it with bumping the shoulder back).

perhaps I'll have to come to reality and pull em.... and that would suck.

 

[K_4c]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

Fuck it... I'm pulling them. It's not worth it.

thanks for all the feed back guys.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

Sometimes a guy just has to say, FUCK IT.
I've been down your road 3 times, all ended the same. Fuck it! The last 2, came from custom chambers.

 

[K_4c]

Re: Sand the shell holder or?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sometimes a guy just has to say, FUCK IT.
I've been down your road 3 times, all ended the same. Fuck it! The last 2, came from custom chambers.

</div></div>

Sometimes I wish my rifles had a sloppy chamber (j/k).... all the more reason to become overly anal with what brass goes where.

Thanks much milo