Ar15 resizing question.

[Hunter87]

I recently made up some reloads using a standard .223 remington lee die full length sizer. I had a few times where the bolt would fail to close and lock completely on the round and when I would pull back on the handle it was a bastard to pull. Would a small base die benefit to prevent this? This is for a .223 Wylde chamber , or should I just turn the die in more and try again. I read a small base die is a must but then some people say it over works the brass.

Dan

 

[303_enfield]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

Where did the brass come from, same rifle? Did you trim the brass? What's the OAL?

 

[Hunter87]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

The brass is LC and PMC .223 that I shot through my other ar which was a 5.56chamber. I used the lee trimmer to trim (I plan on buying a better trimmer before next batch), the OAL was around 2.250 , mag length . I know it's reloads because I shot some xm855 and it functioned fine.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

Before I spent the money, I'd screw the die in a little.
And before I bought, I'd make sure it is the base and not headspace issues.
This is where a body die comes in handy!

 

[Hunter87]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

I will swap with my other bolt carrier and try tomorrow I see If there's any difference. Also what and where could I find a body die?

 

[ZiaHunter]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

Sounds like you have a sizing issue and should probably check the setup of your die. Do you have a case gauge to check you sized brass? If not, it would be a good investment. Body dies are generally used in conjunction with neck sizing and you may want to look at a small base die if you continue to have an issue after trying other things. Sinclair, Midway, Grafs and others are all good sources of dies.

 

[Hunter87]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

I have a caliper gauge to check the length and am looking at ordering a small base die just to try it out.

 

[Xcount]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

if you are running moderate and safe loads the SB die usually isn't necessary with a Wylde chamber. If you are trying to get every last fps like some do then you might have expanded some case heads. You should buy a headspace guage though to check that you are setting back the shoulder enough and not too much (if you want the brass to last). RCBS makes the precision mic but the best is from Mo's in Connecticut.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

Someone mentioned above, a body is used in conjuction with neck sizing, don't rush to buy one.
But they can save the day on loaded ammo, it can still be sized without pulling the bullet.

 

[DT1]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

If you're reloading brass for a 223 or 308 gasser, invest in a SB sizing die.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

You don't have your F/L die set properly in your press. You need to turn it in another 1/8th-1/12th of a turn. Your not bumping the shoulder back enough.

 

[sic65stang]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

Do the rounds that stick fit in the other ar? If so I would say you need a small base die. You could try to screw the die in a bit more, but I had the same problem and the die could not go any farther into the press and still had the same issue.

In my case, and maybe yours, the die could not size far enough down the case and the case was bulged very slightly near the bottom. It was not sticking due to headspace, but that the end of the case could not fit in the chamber.

 

[JGorski]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hunter87</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I recently made up some reloads using a standard .223 remington lee die full length sizer. I had a few times where the bolt would fail to close and lock completely on the round and when I would pull back on the handle it was a bastard to pull. Would a small base die benefit to prevent this? This is for a .223 Wylde chamber , or should I just turn the die in more and try again. I read a small base die is a must but then some people say it over works the brass.

Dan </div></div>

Id definitely turn your sizer die all the way down so it touches the shellholder, and a bit more(1/16 turn more) if that dont work you may have to contact Lee and have them take a few thou off the bottom of the die, had to do that with a 270 & 06 sizer from them, I use that 06 sizer a lot and when I size a shell the cases will chamber in any 30-06 chamber in the world, no need for a small base die.

 

[SPAK]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

Changing your bolt carrier won't help you trouble shoot the problem. The issue is having two different chambers and trying to interchange brass between them.

more likely than not, you're not sizing the brass enough. It's not likely the wylde chambers base is that much smaller than the 5.56 chamber, but the headspace might be enough that if your die isn't pushing the shoulders back enough you will have chambering problems.

 

[Hunter87]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

Ok thank you everyone for all the insight these reloads are strictly for the mk12 ar so I will test some out today and see how it compares. When I would hand chamber the load it would seem to be snug on the base of the round. After reading a lot on these last night it seems that a small base die is handy for semi-autos and such that the bolt moves very fast to cycle .

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

Hunter,
I've owned a small base die for years, never had to use it.
I interchange brass between 3 ar's, little if any effect on accuracy..
Like J Gorski said, turn you die down and make it work.

 

[Hunter87]

Re: Ar15 resizing question.

Well shot what I loaded today with the fl die adjusted and had no issues. Everything closed and went bang!