338 LM Sizing Question

[sturkis]

I am using another rifle in 338 LM and am full length sizing as far down as I can go and am still running in to resistance when I check the sized case in the rifle. Am using a dillon 550 and Redding FL dies. I can chamber the round in my TRG with some resistance and the bolt will close. I called Dillon and they said cut .020 off the Redding die and that should help. It is like I am just not setting the shoulder back far enough. Any Input? I am using Lapua commercial and military brass and it is the same problem.

 

[RoughNeck182]

Re: 338 LM Sizing Question

Does factory ammo chamber ok, or rounds sized with another die? If you have a tool like a RCBS precision mic kit you could measure the 'headspace' dimension of factory ammo, resized ammo and fired brass and see how it compares to their chart for spec sizes. Its sounds to me like the full length sizing die is not sizing the case enough for the rifle... perhaps it has a small chamber or the die is defective?

 

[sturkis]

Re: 338 LM Sizing Question

I smoked the resized case and it is hitting on the shoulder. just below the neck and just above case wall. going to try a single stage press. new brass chambers fine. it is like the shoulder isnt set back enough.

 

[308isgreat]

Re: 338 LM Sizing Question

I use a redding FL die in a single stage press and have no difficulty setting the shoulder back. Hopefully, using a single stage press will work for you as well.

 

[sturkis]

Re: 338 LM Sizing Question

went to a single stage and it worked great. Apparently the Dillon's shell plate wont let the die go down far enough. Will have to call them Monday.

 

[sturkis]

Re: 338 LM Sizing Question

Went to Dillon and showed them what was going on and one of the R&D guys came down with a shell holder that was .030 thinner. Went home and tried it and it worked fine. Shell plate for a .338 LM is a letter "T".

 

[michael_aos]

Re: 338 LM Sizing Question

I ordered Shellplate G & #6 locator buttons for my Dillon 550B.

The buttons seemed too large, so I just called and they said I should be using #7 buttons.

I've got them on the way. I didn't think to ask about the "T" shell plate.
--

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: 338 LM Sizing Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sturkis</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am using another rifle in 338 LM and am full length sizing as far down as I can go and am still running in to resistance when I check the sized case in the rifle. Am using a dillon 550 and Redding FL dies. I can chamber the round in my TRG with some resistance and the bolt will close. I called Dillon and they said cut .020 off the Redding die and that should help. It is like I am just not setting the shoulder back far enough. Any Input? I am using Lapua commercial and military brass and it is the same problem. </div></div>

This has happened to me after a good 3-4 cycles. Using the Hornady headspace gage, I actually get a lengthening of about .003" when I go to bump the shoulders back, either with a body die or one of my various sizers.

I've had 4-5 different sizers, so it's not my dies. I just think that it's a lot of metal to size back down and it's gotta go somewhere!

I'm on 12-13 cycles with 40 of the 80 Lapua cases I started with 6 years back. The other 40 aren't far behind, so I'm doing pretty well.

I neck size now and live with the moderate snugness that I get closing the bolt.

Chris

 

[danny.k]

I also load 338LM on a dillon 550b.
The shellplate that was i the caliber-kit didnt wor for me either but Dillon took care of it and sent out a new one meeting my measurements and now its working like it should.