Rounds won't fit my case gauge

[Ganderite]

I just got this PM:

Howdy

made the mistake of neck sizing .223 cartridges one too many times and now have about 400 loaded rounds that will not fit into my Hornady case gauge; they will however chamber in my firearm.
normally I would pull the bullet, empty the case and resize; however they are cast and require a mighty squeeze on the vice grips, so my arthritic fingers protest after 2 - 3 rounds.

one friend suggested I obtain a body die, but I'm hesitant to resize ammo.
could I get your thoughts on this issue?

thanks

Joe

I have been loading for 55 years. I have never owned nor used a gauge.

I use the chamber of the gun I am loading for. This not only tells me that the case fits the chamber, but that the bullet does not hit the rifling - something a gauge does not do. I get the feeling that the Norinco and CZ 9mm chamber throats are shorter than a gauge, so a gauged round still might not chamber. Your chamber is the perfect gauge.

If I don't know what gun the ammo will be shot itn, I full length size the case and seat the bullet fairly deep.

The way the SAAMI dimensions for chambers and ammo works, all the feet are no bigger than size 9 and all the boots are at least size 10.

Your ammo is 9 1/2. Closer to a good fit.

Shoot it.

 

[Snider shooter]

The gauges are usually made to minimum specifications. In other words a smaller chamber. As said above,I also use the gun chamber as my gauge.

 

[M1-Garand]

I ran into similar problems with some ammo fired in my semis,finally figured out that the problem was distorted rims from the cases
hitting the ejector.
Simple way to confirm is put the resized case into the case gauge backwards,if it hangs up on the rim,there is your problem.

I had a bunch I put in the lathe and carefully with a triangular file managed to dress the rim so they drop into the case gauge with no problem.

 

[Chas59]

Only issue is that the rounds might not fit another rifle, but as long as they chamber in yours, no worries.

 

[Ridersfan]

Only issue is that the rounds might not fit another rifle, but as long as they chamber in yours, no worries.

^^^This^^^
If they're destined for use in the same rifle, just choot em

 

[NaviDave]

Redding dies?

 

[McHoss]

Only issue is that the rounds might not fit another rifle, but as long as they chamber in yours, no worries.

This is also what I thought. Everything I’ve read or been told says if the shoe fits, wear it. Shoot them but in that rifle only.

 

[Meroh]

I just got this PM:

Howdy

made the mistake of neck sizing .223 cartridges one too many times and now have about 400 loaded rounds that will not fit into my Hornady case gauge; they will however chamber in my firearm.
normally I would pull the bullet, empty the case and resize; however they are cast and require a mighty squeeze on the vice grips, so my arthritic fingers protest after 2 - 3 rounds.

one friend suggested I obtain a body die, but I'm hesitant to resize ammo.
could I get your thoughts on this issue?

thanks

Joe

I have been loading for 55 years. I have never owned nor used a gauge.

I use the chamber of the gun I am loading for. This not only tells me that the case fits the chamber, but that the bullet does not hit the rifling - something a gauge does not do. I get the feeling that the Norinco and CZ 9mm chamber throats are shorter than a gauge, so a gauged round still might not chamber. Your chamber is the perfect gauge.

If I don't know what gun the ammo will be shot itn, I full length size the case and seat the bullet fairly deep.

The way the SAAMI dimensions for chambers and ammo works, all the feet are no bigger than size 9 and all the boots are at least size 10.

Your ammo is 9 1/2. Closer to a good fit.

Shoot it.

Good answer!

If I do get a bulge below the shoulder, or low on the neck; I pull the decapping pin out of the sizing die and gently massage the case one more time. Works for me.