Small Base Sizing Die and Neck Tension Issues

[FALex]

Hey all, so I just got a JP-LRP-07 (gas gun) in .260. I loaded some rounds, some of the brass was once fired, some new. I ran all the brass through my Redding small base die, but I noticed the cases that were once fired did not have requisite neck tension; the bullets seated without any pressure and I was able to push and pull on the bullets and they would move.

So I have a few questions: does the small base die touch the neck at all, if it does, in what manner? Once I run the brass (the new brass I shot) from the fired cases of the JP in the SB die, will the neck tension still be an issue. Lastly, can I just run the cases with tension issues through my neck sizing die to get them back where they need to be.

And yes, I went through and checked every damn round before firing them. I sure as shit didn't want to put one of those loose ones through my rifle!

I hope I'm making sense. I have been reloading for a couple of years now, but I sure could use some fine tuning!!

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

 

[FLIGHT762]

If you are using a Redding Small base BODY DIE, then it doesn't touch the neck. You will have to run the cases also through your neck sizing die. Did you buy a Body Die? Did you buy a F/L "S" bushing sizing die and didn't put a bushing in it?

Regular F/L sizing dies do size the neck along with the case body. I'm not sure what you have, but it sounds like a body die or a "S" bushing die.

 

[FALex]

yes, should've listed that, thanks. It is the Redding Small Base Body Die, just a standard RCBS shell holder.

Do you think it should be a standard practice then for me to run all cases through the SB die then through the neck sizer as well?

Is there a way to consolidate this process, maybe eliminate one of the dies from the equation?

I have an RCBS FL die, but was informed by JP staff that the SB Body Die is recommended for their rifles for reliability and allowing rounds to chamber without any issues.

Thanks.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Do you think it should be a standard practice then for me to run all cases through the SB die then through the neck sizer as well?

Is there a way to consolidate this process, maybe eliminate one of the dies from the equation?


I have an RCBS FL die, but was informed by JP staff that the SB Body Die is recommended for their rifles for reliability and allowing rounds to chamber without any issues.

Thanks.

Yes, you will have to run cases through both dies with your current set up, not really a big deal, but it will take two steps. The body die doesn't touch the neck, so you then have to run the cases through a separate neck sizing die.

If you want to consolidate, you need to get a regular small base F/L 260 die. It looks like Redding doesn't make a small base F/L die for the 260 Remington. That might be why just the body die was recommended to you by JP. RCBS makes a small base F/L die in 260 Rem. in their AR series dies.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/87...base-2-die-set-with-taper-crimp-260-remington

I don't know if JP would recommend them, but I think they should work.

I use body dies. They do come in handy for other uses also.

Did you have issues with the rifle using the regular F/L 260 RCBS die you have?

 

[FALex]

Did you have issues with the rifle using the regular F/L 260 RCBS die you have?

To be honest, I did not even try it for fear of getting a case stuck in the chamber. I have another AR I tried to load for and used a standard FL die, went to chamber a round and it jammed up pretty damn good. I then used a wooden dowel to tap on the BCG to get it to kick the round back out. It was not something I wanted to do with my brand new, pretty expensive (to me) rifle.

I guess there is a chance it could work, huh? If it did, that would solve my issue, I suppose?

Thank you again for your help. I wish I had someone who could show me this shit step by step. I am a kinesthetic learner, it is difficult for me to learn things by reading about them...

 

[FLIGHT762]

Of all of the Rifles I reload for (about 15 or so), the only Rifle that actually needed a Small Base F/L sizer is a Steyr SSG 69. That Rifle has a tight chamber. Near the cases head on the body, if I can't get the die to size the case body between .468-.469", the rounds will not chamber. It doesn't matter how far I bump the shoulders back. Fired shoulders expand to 1.632"-33" in that Rifle, quite normal, but the case body has to be squeezed down more than usual. You could be in the same boat, you don't know until you try.

Your RCBS F/L die might work. What you can do to be safe, is to reload up a few dummy rounds with no primer or powder. If you were to get one stuck, It wouldn't be dangerous. If you don't have a case gauge to measure shoulder bump, you should really invest in one. The three ways to get a case stuck or fail to chamber is not bump the shoulders back enough, not size the case body as in my SSG 69 or seating a bullet so far out, it jams into the lands and sticks.

It is good to have a local mentor who can actually show you these things. I'd be happy to show you if you're anywhere near SFO / SFIA.

 

[FALex]

when you say "case gauge" does this indicate a headspace gauge?

 

[JGorski]

when you say "case gauge" does this indicate a headspace gauge?

Yup, I just invested in Hornadys last month. I for one have never had a need for a small base die for autos, regular dies always worked just fine.