Sizing Die Question

[PVDT]

I haven’t been reloading long so I’m still learning. The first sizing die I used was a Forster FL sizing die for my 223 bolt gun. I had zero issues with it and have had zero runout so far. But I just started working on loads for my 25-06. I’m using a Redding Elite Bushing die and am having terrible runout issues. My headspace I’m shooting for is 2.040. But some cases size to 2.042 while others size to 2.038. I would say half are sizing to the 2.040 I’m looking for with the other half being all over the place…2.038 - 2.042. I set it up just like Redding says to. All of the cases are fire formed and measure 2.042 - 2.043. What the crap is going on????

And for my cases that end up short, do they have to be fire formed again or just run through the die again to reach the desired length. I’m pretty certain I know the answer but just want to confirm.

[Mike D]

Are you saying you are seeing variance in base to shoulder datum or cartridge base to ogive?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[kck]

What brass are you using? You shouldn't be getting 4 thou of variation but some brass moves around more than others. I will say that if your brass was 2.042 to start with and your sizing down to 2.038, even on a percentage of them, you're sizing too much. Maybe try coming up on your die until the lowest number you get is 2.040 as 2 thou is plenty to bump a shoulder back.

[PVDT]

Are you saying you are seeing variance in base to shoulder datum or cartridge base to ogive?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Base to datum.

[PVDT]

What brass are you using? You shouldn't be getting 4 thou of variation but some brass moves around more than others. I will say that if your brass was 2.042 to start with and your sizing down to 2.038, even on a percentage of them, you're sizing too much. Maybe try coming up on your die until the lowest number you get is 2.040 as 2 thou is plenty to bump a shoulder back.

That’s what I’m doing. I’m shooting for 2.040 because it’s .002 bump. But only half of the cases are coming out at 2.040. I’d say 40% end up 2.038 and 2.039. The remainder are 2.041 and 2.042 (these are obviously the cases that started out on the longer side….2.043 fire formed).

[kck]

The only things I can think of if the die isn’t tight in the press (I doubt that’s the case), brass is springing back inconsistently, there’s too much lube on the case (another unlikely culprit) or your caliper has some slop in it (also doesn’t sound right since I assume you were using the same caliper to measure your 223).

[JakeGraves]

I can almost guarantee that you are not lubing the cases well enough

[JakeGraves]

If you create dimples in the shoulder, this is from too much lube. If no dimples, lube more. The dimples will fireform out with no ill effect. This is to show you how much is too much and then back off from that lube amount. I use the lanolin/alcohol mix at a ratio of 1 part lanolin to 10 parts 99% alcohol.

The Redding dies are awesome and not the problem.

Short cases will fireform out just fine but will greatly reduce brass life if oversized again.

[PVDT]

I can almost guarantee that you are not lubing the cases well enough

Looks like you’re pretty close to spot on. I was just wiping my finger across the mouth of the case. Some of them were definitely harder than they should’ve been to size. I don’t have any (yet) neck graphite lube so I used a Q-Tip to get inside the neck a little. That definitely made the difference. If you’re not learning you’re not trying. Thanks guys.

[JakeGraves]

Looks like you’re pretty close to spot on. I was just wiping my finger across the mouth of the case. Some of them were definitely harder than they should’ve been to size. I don’t have any (yet) neck graphite lube so I used a Q-Tip to get inside the neck a little. That definitely made the difference. If you’re not learning you’re not trying. Thanks guys.

Buy an aerosol like Hornady one shot or the Dillon lube that I described making in a spritzer bottle. Super simple and fast.

[meltingfeather]

Buy an aerosol like Hornady one shot or the Dillon lube that I described making in a spritzer bottle. Super simple and fast.

this

[PVDT]

this

After using One Shot do you have to clean the cases again because it’s sprayed inside the case neck?

[Hotrodd]

Try annealing the brass, Look up on YouTube how to anneal. I started with a drill and a deep well socket. You will be surprised how much it helps and you will notice the “spring back” will be more consistent. I am assuming all cases are the same head stamp? How many times have the cases been fired and reloaded?

You said: “Some of them were definitely harder than they should’ve been to size.” This could also be from work hardening of the brass.

I hope this helps!

[Mike D]

Looks like you’re pretty close to spot on. I was just wiping my finger across the mouth of the case. Some of them were definitely harder than they should’ve been to size. I don’t have any (yet) neck graphite lube so I used a Q-Tip to get inside the neck a little. That definitely made the difference. If you’re not learning you’re not trying. Thanks guys.

Do you use the sizer button on the die as well?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[M16]

After using One Shot do you have to clean the cases again because it’s sprayed inside the case neck?

I do. It won't contaminate the powder or primer. At least wipe the lube off the outside with a paper towel. Remember to follow the directions when using one shot. Let the cases sit a minute or two before resizing. Some people fail to read the directions and have problems by not letting it dry on the case before sizing.