Topic: Resizing problems?

[adrewiske]

I'm having a bit of difficulty lately with certain cases and resizing. I have two separate calibers of brass and am using RCBS FL die sets. I set the dies up properly for resizing. With some of the brass I run it through the resizing die, knock out the primer and throw it in the tumbler. I later find out that the necks aren't pushed back to where they should be. I end up having to take out the resizing pin and run it through the die to bump the neck back. I thought it might be that the brass might be getting weak and is stretching inside the die, but half of the brass is new Norma stuff(loaded once or twice). So I'm rethinking that idea. Any ideas??

[J Mack]

Please describe the process you used to set the die correctly and check the shoulder/necks before and after you discovered the issues.

[adrewiske]

Sorry, should have described this in the original thread...I run the cam until it locks over and thread the die down until it touches the shell holder. I mic check the shoulders with a digital micrometer but have yet to buy an over all length gauge (it is going to be my next purchase), I realize eyeballing the micrometer isn't quite the most accurate method, but most times I can tell a slight difference.  I usually sit and try to chamber an unloaded case in each gun to see which ones need to be bumped back.

[J Mack]

OK this is my opinion on the issues you have defined.
First you cannot correctly set up a resizing die the way you described and predict were your shoulders will end up. You must be able to accurately measure your case shoulders before and after sizing (A) and know where you want them to end up (B) to correctly setup your sizing die. Don’t trust your eyeball method and buy the proper tool, if money/time is an issue I will let you barrow mine and show you how to use it.
Are you checking cases periodically as they come out of your die to confirm everything is staying as you originally set it, it could be a simple matter of your die coming loose or a piece of debris finding its way into your system during your process. 

[fj40mojo]

I have to concur with JMack. The human eye is not calibrated to measure in .001" incriments. Buy/borrow the proper tools. You won't regret it. Setting up per mfg's directions may or may not yeald the desired result depending on whether or not your die was properly inspected before it was packaged and sent out.

[zona5101]

RCBS Precision Mic - caliber specific
https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/MainServlet?storeId=webconnect&catalogId=webconnect&langId=en_US&screenlabel=index&action=CategoryDisplay&categoryId=C11J149&route=

[adrewiske]

Thanks guys, I'm going to go look at investing in some case gauges. However, why would it only happen periodically when the resizing pin is left in? I clean the dies often, and when I remove the pin and run the shells through the die they seem to chamber fine. I will check the jam nut to make sure it's not coming loose, which I admit I don't do. However, I when the pin is in it feels as though it 'grabs' the case neck on the way out. I've tried both Hornady and RCBS dies with my 7 and have the same problem with some of the cases.

[zona5101]

does your decapper have a neck sizer bead on it (probably) and is it the one that came with your sizing die?
Thinking that ifit is too big it could be yanking the shoulder too... and you are lubing the inside of the neck? It shouldn't be real hard on the upstroke.
One way to test that is to get a decapping die (a lee decapping die is under $10) - decap first, then size. This is my processes for rifle...decap, clean primer pocket, debur neck,  tumble, prime, lube, size, trim if needed, load, tumble, shoot, repeat.

[J Mack]

Thanks guys, I'm going to go look at investing in some case gauges. However, why would it only happen periodically when the resizing pin is left in? I clean the dies often, and when I remove the pin and run the shells through the die they seem to chamber fine. I will check the jam nut to make sure it's not coming loose, which I admit I don't do. However, I when the pin is in it feels as though it 'grabs' the case neck on the way out. I've tried both Hornady and RCBS dies with my 7 and have the same problem with some of the cases.

Do you also notice it takes more force to seat some of your bullets as a result?
I'm guessing you are experiencing the effects of differing neck thickness and factory non-bushing type dies.