Setting up to bump - appropriate die and measuring?

[QuietShootr]

I have been neck sizing my .308 match loads only, and I need to get set up to bump the shoulder and be able to measure it appropriately. Would the Redding body die and the Instant Indicator with a dial indicator added be the best/easiest to use for this operation?

 

[Jig Stick]

I just use a redding body die and a regular hornady headspace gauge on my calipers. Back the die out and start running a case up in it while taking measurements. gradually dial the body die down until you see the measurements decreasing. Stop the die where you want the cases bumped to.

 

[turbo54]

I just use a redding body die and a regular hornady headspace gauge on my calipers. Back the die out and start running a case up in it while taking measurements. gradually dial the body die down until you see the measurements decreasing. Stop the die where you want the cases bumped to.

I also use the Hornady caliper attachment tooling. It works just fine. The precision mic by RCBS is probably a little nicer tool, but much more money and cartridge specific.

The instant indicator is really nice, but in my opinion, really best suited for use on a progressive press.

One addendum to what Jig Stick has said:

I've found that when setting up a sizing die, I need to use a fresh fired case each time I make an adjustment. If I size one case a little, adjust the die and then size that same case a little more, by the time that one case is sized appropriately, the die will oversize the rest. I always size/measure with a different (fired) case each time I make a die adjustment. That way you're getting a true read on what the size die will do to a case in one single pass through the die.

I don't know WHY this is the case, but have found it to be true.

 

[msiebert]

"I've found that when setting up a sizing die, I need to use a fresh fired case each time I make an adjustment. If I size one case a little, adjust the die and then size that same case a little more, by the time that one case is sized appropriately, the die will oversize the rest. I always size/measure with a different (fired) case each time I make a die adjustment. That way you're getting a true read on what the size die will do to a case in one single pass through the die.

I don't know WHY this is the case, but have found it to be true. "

Yep, strange but true for me as well. One other thing I will add...dont rely on setting the dies once and run 200 cases without checking in between at least the first batch or so. I have found that for some reason my original setting will drift a little after the first 20-30 cases. I usually have to set the die and do a little slight correction if I want all the cases to be dead nuts.

 

[Xshot]

I use the Redding Competition shell holder kit. Makes bumping the should back a breeze.

 

[Deadshot2]

Rather than just trying to back off a FL sizing die or using the Redding Body Die, I found far better results with the Forster Shoulder Bump/Bushing Die.

It's basically a bushing neck sizing die with just the shoulder portion of a regular sizing die. It can de-prime, neck size, and bump the shoulder only -----OR------
combinations of these functions. Neck Size/Shoulder Bump, Shoulder Bump only, can even bump the shoulder on loaded ammo if you run into some that is hard to chamber without having to pull it down.

As for setting the die, I like to start with a fired case then mark up the shoulder area with a black sharpie. With the bushing and depriming rod removed I run the case into the die several times, adjusting down until the die just starts to mark the sharpie. If the case re-chambers easily I just use that setting. If a little snug then I move the die down a very small fraction of a turn.

Since you're making ammo for YOUR rifle, it's not really necessary to have a lot of measuring tools. Just use the rifle and a fired case to set your die the first time and then lock the ring down properly. Easy in my case as I use the quick change bushings. Lee Breech Lock on my Hand Press and L-N-L on my RCBS Rock Chucker.

By using the Forster Shoulder Bump gauge you aren't working the cases as much as if you use the redding body die or a F/L sizing die backed off. Unlike most neck sizing only dies it makes sure there is no bulge on the outside of the shoulder and that the headspace is what you need for easy chambering in YOUR rifle.