308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

[user]

Hey everyone.

Question on 308...

Once fired Win 308 in my chamber measures "0" on RCBS precesion case mike or a couple thousands under zero. I'd like to bump the shoulder one - two thousandths.

So, first lube the cases, neck size, then FL size (both Redding Comp series dies. The cases end up growing 2-4 Thousands to the datum line. Now, instead of reading "0" at the datum line its grown, rather than set back...

Do I need to now adjust the die again and bump the shoulder back again?

Confused...

 

[killahog]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

Have you chambered a empty case in your rifle after sizing to feel how much tension there is?.

 

[918v]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

Why are you neck sizing before FL sizing?

Are you lubing the inside of the neck prior to FL sizing? If not, then the expander button is pulling the shoulder forward as you are pulling the case out of the die.

 

[jdel]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

They are growing because you're sizing the diamiter of the body and not touching the shoulder. The only way to go is up. You need to adjust the die down more to touch the shoulder too keep the case from lengthening. I have always used a Lee collet die with great results, it only works the neck. When I need to bump the shoulder I use a Redding body die, it only bumps the shoulder. Both can be had for about 40 bucks. I believe the Redding neck size set comes with a body die.

 

[user]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

Shepheard, thanks. I am using redding body die that came with Redding Neck Size Set.

What your saying make sense, but I'm screwed down all the way down, touching shell holder...

 

[xsn10s]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

"Why are you neck sizing before FL sizing?"

Yeah I agree that it's not needed if you're going to bump the shoulder with a full length sizing die. If you're going to neck size then I would just check how the brass fits in the chamber after the neck sizing. I do this with the firing pin/ striker assembly out of the bolt as to get a better feel of the brass contact in the chamber.

"So, first lube the cases, neck size, then FL size (both Redding Comp series dies. The cases end up growing 2-4 Thousands to the datum line. Now, instead of reading "0" at the datum line its grown, rather than set back...

Do I need to now adjust the die again and bump the shoulder back again

Confused..."

It could be there's not enough lube inside your neck. Or your FL sizing die has sized the body of the brass while not contacting the shoulder, thus pushing the shoulder forward. Just start adjusting your die a 1/8 or 1/4 turn more and check with your mic untill you get the results you want.

 

[xsn10s]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

Are you using a Redding shellholder?

 

[user]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

First, thanks to everyone for their feedback. It's appreciated.

Using 550 press, not redding shell holder. Maybe that's problem?

Gonna look at screwing it in more.

 

[user]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

Not aware that neck sizing first could cause a problem, but will try FL sizing first..thanks.

 

[xsn10s]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

Yeah this makes sense now. Your body die may not have enough clearance with your Dillon shellholder. I'd try just the neck die and then check how it fits in your chamber. The body die was to be used only when needed and not every firing if I remember correctly. Am I right?

I used to do neck sizing, turn necks, seat to the land, many of the benchrest techniques when I first got into reloading. I mainly partial full length resize and call it good now.

 

[user]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

GFB,

Your correct, only every four or five firings on the body die...I'll bet thats it, not enough traved with the dillion shell plate as opposed to the redding shell holder.

Anyone know if the redding shell holder will work in a RCBS Partner single stage press?

Thanks!

 

[jdel]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

pretty sure all the shell holders were pretty universal for single stage presses. I bought a set of Lee holders for real cheap, the cost of 3 RCBS ones was about the same as a set of 12 Lee's. I know my Lee's work in a RCBS hand primer, I'm sure your Redding's will work in the Rcbs press.

 

[mdmp5]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: user</div><div class="ubbcode-body">First, thanks to everyone for their feedback. It's appreciated.

Using 550 press, not redding shell holder. Maybe that's problem?

Gonna look at screwing it in more.</div></div>

User,

Are you using your 550 as a single stage, or do you have other stations occupied while you are sizing? If the latter is the case, then you size or seat, the travel will be impeded by the other cases in the press. In turn, your sized cases will not be bumped back enough, and your bullets will not be seated as deep as you expected.

 

[user]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

Hey Palmik,

Yeah, I was...yet another f'up....switching to single stage press...I'll see what happens then..Thanks!

 

[Hummer]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

Apparently the male part of the shell holders are "universal" but the problem appears to be the distance from where the rim sits to the top of the shell holder.
On another thread someone said they had a Dillon die that FL sized and bumped their shoulder back and there was a large gap between the holder and the die at the top of the travel. I don't have any Dillon shell holders to measure and never had a Dillon die so if those with the Dillon shell holders and standard shell holders would measure them might prove interesting.

Someone said their Lee holders would fit the RCBS hand primer. My buddy just got a new RCBS hand primer and the Lees won't insert because of material condition at bottom inside of shell holder on the inside hole. He is going to bring all his shell holders down and I am going to open them up so they will interchange. Lee shell holders work fine in my RCBS single bench mount seater and RCBS presses. It is just the two pieces of plastic that go in bottom of holder on the new RCBS that give the problem.

 

[918v]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hummer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Apparently the male part of the shell holders are "universal" but the problem appears to be <span style="font-weight: bold">the distance from where the rim sits to the top of the shell holder.</span>
</div></div>

Redding makes a competition shellholder set where that distance is adjustable in .002" increments.

 

[user]

Re: 308 Bumping Shoulder, Neck Sizing /FL sizing Help!

Thanks everyone....it was the combination of the 550 shell holder and the redding body die, not playing well with each other.

Switched the die out to a single stage and it works great...now.

Thanks again.