Need help!

[Longwaysoff]

I have a question. I have been reloading for a few years now and have been doing pretty well with most everything; however I have an issue that I need some help on.... Why is it that when I set up my die to bump the shoulder back .002 from the fire formed length, that some cases are bumping back .oo1 and others bump back perfectly to .002 and then others bump back .004....

Any help would be greatly appreciated.... I Anneal after every firing. Clean my brass before

 

[ShtrRdy]

My guess would be due to different springback on the brass. But you said you anneal after every firing. What method of annealing do you use?

 

[Longwaysoff]

I have an Annealeez machine and use Tepilaq to set the speed/annealing rate

 

[Longwaysoff]

I'm using Hornady Match Dies

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

I recall reading a post where someone mentioned the dies have to "heat up" or something like that.

The post was suggesting afte a few pieces of brass, the die was up to temp and sizing would be uniform from there on out

Does your shoulder bump drift in the begging of resizing and then settle in?

 

[Longwaysoff]

No it does it throughout the whole bunch.... It has my head spinning...... I'm bout to just purchase a different set of dies

 

[remaction]

Is the brass all from the same manufacturer?

 

[Longwaysoff]

Yes and all the same lot

 

[spife7980]

Crappy brass? Uneven lube?

 

[Sheldon N]

Uneven lube?

This would be my first guess.

OP, what are you using for case lube?

 

[918v]

It’s prolly a combination of stuff: lube, springback, press linkage slop, etc.

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

I just thought of something.

When I first mounted my press the lever was hitting the front of my bench. It didn't seem like a big deal but it was messing everything up.

When you lower the handle and the ram goes up are you hitting anything?

 

[Threadcutter308]

How much lube are you using ? Too much/inconsistent application could cause this.

 

[MK20]

What press are you using?

I used a lee press and a portion of the linkage was MIM. This had developed a small crack that was allowing the press handle to give a little. This caused the EXACT problem that you described.
Got a new part from Lee and the same problem reoccurred almost immediately in the exact same spot.
Now I have a RCBS. Problem Solved.

I would try some of the lanolin/alcohol lube that some guys use. I have used it and it is great. No chance of getting too much like wax lube.

 

[Threadcutter308]

What press are you using?

I used a lee press and a portion of the linkage was MIM. This had developed a small crack that was allowing the press handle to give a little. This caused the EXACT problem that you described.
Got a new part from Lee and the same problem reoccurred almost immediately in the exact same spot.
Now I have a RCBS. Problem Solved.

I would try some of the lanolin/alcohol lube that some guys use. I have used it and it is great. No chance of getting too much like wax lube.

@Strykervet makes and sells some really good stuff, very reasonably priced. Check him out.

 

[MK20]

+1 on Strykervet. He makes up the exact same stuff I use and it is great, even if lube isn't your problem.

 

[Longwaysoff]

This would be my first guess.

OP, what are you using for case lube?

Isopropyl and lanolin been very consistent up until now

 

[MK20]

It’s a problem in your linkage I would bet.

 

[Longwaysoff]

I use an Old Pacific single stage press.... I'm guessing the linkage on the press might be wearing out, cause it's not hitting anything at all and my case Lube consistency has always been precise..... may be the brass, Not sure.. its Starline that has been neck turned.... I just haven't ever ran into this before or havent noticed it.... I usually will Mic the first 5 or 10 cases.... then after I get to resizing, I will only Mic one about every 10th case.... and that's how I found it..... then I started checking everyone of them....

 

[MK20]

I would try to find a friend who has a press. Use the exact same die and shell holder. If there is no problem in his press you know it is your press.

 

[Longwaysoff]

Sound like a good idea

 

[918v]

If you’re not bottoming the die on the shell holder when you size, you’re not going to get consistent shoulder bump. You also have to hold the case in the die for a consistent amount of time. Get some competition shell holders and do over.

 

[Longwaysoff]

If you’re not bottoming the die on the shell holder when you size, you’re not going to get consistent shoulder bump. You also have to hold the case in the die for a consistent amount of time. Get some competition shell holders and do over.

If I bottom the die out on .y shell holder then it would be setting the shoulder back several thousanths..... correct? And then that defeats the purpose of just bumping the shoulder back .002.... isnt this correct?

 

[Longwaysoff]

I guess what I'm asking is....... how do I bottom out the die against the shell holder and still only bump the shoulder .002?

 

[918v]

By increasing the height of the shell holder.

 

[918v]

Redding makes +.002” through +.010” or higher if you need it.

 

[Longwaysoff]

Redding makes +.002” through +.010” or higher if you need it.

Awesome! Thank you 918v

 

[Longwaysoff]

Awesome! Thank you 918v

I'm assuming that you re-adjust your Die and ram to "Cam over" with the extended shell holder just like a standard shell holder?

 

[Longwaysoff]

Nevermind on my last question I just found the answer to that in a YouTube video.... Thank you for the help