7STW Die/Brass Issue ?

[1J04]

Scenario: Buddy brings over his Model 700 7MM STW Sendaro, 2pc RCBS Full Length Die Set, and 41 fire formed Remington Cases from his gun. I inspect the Dies and clean them inside and out. Inspect weapon, strip bolt and clean both well. I check fire formed length of 20 cases with Hornady Comparator head to datum. I get readings from 2.457 to 2.462. With stripped bolt I try the 2.462 and the 2.457 in the chamber, it's a no go, ok. Set the Die up to bump .002 off the 2.462 and I get my .002 bump and try the case in the chamber, wahllla it's got just a tad crush, Golden. Grab a 2.457 case and resize it and it goes in fine without the obvious slight crush and the case measures 2.459. I did clean all cases by tumbling for 3hrs. Cases were good to go but even after resizing them I still couldn't get them all under .004 of each other. I ended up with between .002 -.004.

Cut To The Chase:

1. Why .005 difference in the fire formed Cases ?

2. Why can't I get them all to be at minimun within .003 of each other ? Hmmm.

3. Could I expect better after the second firing ?

I may be failing to see the obvious so any input will be appreciated. Hell, I'd even consider any lengthy conspiracy theories. Only my first post since the crash. Don't hammer on me too hard.

 

[omurnion]

I had a 7 stw years ago, as I recall they resize hard as hell. Just throwing out an idea here but could it be that they vary some because when the expander comes back up through the neck it is stretching the case just a bit? If one case isn't quite as lubed up as another could it actually stretch the case out? I used RCBS dies as well, I guess the bottom line is, doesn't affect how the rifle shoots?

 

[1J04]

You hit that right on the mark. Resized hard as hell, you bet. Hella long case. I did notice the expander coming back like I was pulling a rock through a pipe. I was using Imperial dry neck lube for the neck and RCBS case lube for the body. Thought about it tonight that maybe I should have used the case lube with the brush also for the neck. Appreciate the input !!