Reloading Issue

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budmancan

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I am new to reloading.
I am reloading 6.5 Creedmore. The cases are once fired Hornady Match.
I am using Hornady dies, brand new.
I deprimed, cleaned, resized(just the neck), cut to length, preped and put in a new primer.

When I was sizing the cases seem to be really easy going into the resizer, very little resistance. I took a finished case into the store for them to look at, all seemed to be in order.

Problem I have now is the bullet falls right into case. No fritcion. Bullets are Hornady 123 Grain.

What am I mssing? What can I check? What am I doing wrong?

The die is installed correct, screwed in until touch and two more turns. The die has all the parts in it as it was checked by the store.

Any help would be good, Thank you.
 
Hey there.

It sounds like the neck was not re-sized at all.

First thing to check is that you are using a neck re-sizing die. There won't be anywhere near the resistance of a full-length re-sizing operation.

So - check the die first.

Also, I assume you're reloading for a bolt-action rifle, correct? You can get away with 1-2 firings (once the neck sizing issue is solved) before you'll have to use either a full-length die (with case lube) or a body die to bump the shoulder of the case back so it chambers easily and doesn't gall the bolt lugs.

Keep us posted - we're here to help!
 
Yes using the resizing die, it is the one that will deprime at the same time. Also an update that they are Lee dies. 4 die set.
 
When setting up the sizing die, did you make sure the bottom of that die contacts the shell holder?
Some reloading press equipment combinations may require setting the sizing die in a little deeper so that the press cams over.

Correction just saw you said dies touched the shell holder, but you turned the die another TWO (full?) turns?
Which press are you using?
 
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Could you be using the Collet die in the Lee set? If so, you need to apply 20 lbs of pressure on the downstroke of the press, to ensure that the petals of the collet resize the neck. Light pressure = no neck tension and the bullet drops through the case neck.
 
Thank you for the tips.
I’m using Hornady eld match 123 gr .264
The directions for the Lee dies said once form contact with shell holder turn two more turns.
I’m using a frankford arsenal press
I will try putting more force. The bullet does go all the way into the sizer.
 
I thought for full length resizing you just need to screw die in 1/8 to 1/4 to get cam over.
If trying to neck size only with a FL die you need to back die out in small increments until you get correct next tension?

Y turning your die in two extra turns, wouldn’t you be over working your brass?
 
Since you are new to reloading, you should full length resize your case. Neck sizing do not warrant more accuracy. Get match die - Forster or Redding that allow you to-use neck bushing to adjust tension and full length resize you case. Neck sizing is not for every gun and everybody. The effect on accuracy is far behind in choosing a proper powder - bullet - primer combo that work.
Neck sizing is mostly to prolong brass life - but at one time or another - brass will need to be full length resized.

I get .3 group at 100 yards with my 6.5 - full resized brass - every load.
 
budmancan.

Any chance your dies are not for 6.5 Creedmore? Say maybe a longer 6.5 like 6.5 Swedish?
What model of Hornady dies are you using? If it's the Match grade Bushing die, is there actually a bushing in the die?

52021match-grade-die-cut.d215477c.jpg


Bushing setup video:

https://www.hornady.com/reloading/dies/match-grade-dies#!/

Note that measurements in video are for 6mm Creedmore, not 6.5 Creedmore.
 
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Janeau said:
Since you are new to reloading, you should full length resize your case. Neck sizing do not warrant more accuracy. Get match die - Forster or Redding that allow you to-use neck bushing to adjust tension and full length resize you case. Neck sizing is not for every gun and everybody. The effect on accuracy is far behind in choosing a proper powder - bullet - primer combo that work.
Neck sizing is mostly to prolong brass life - but at one time or another - brass will need to be full length resized.

I get .3 group at 100 yards with my 6.5 - full resized brass - every load.
Click to expand...

This post is a mirror of my experience with reloading. Reloading bottleneck cases is an adventure that's best undertaken in small steps, the first step being to full length resize every time.
I've been reloading for several years, for .243 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor. My thoughts when I was getting started was to keep it simple starting out, and add complexity if needed once I had a good handle on the basics. I'm still using full length RCBS dies, set to bump the shoulder back 0.002"-0.003" from the maximum length that will chamber without binding. Results are quite good, and brass life is certainly respectable.

While I understand there are sound reasons for neck sizing, in my case the benefit doesn't warrant the added step and complexity.

How does this particular Lee neck sizing die work? Is there an adjustable collet, or does it use a bushing? If it's a collet, it's not tight enough, and if a bushing it's either missing or the wrong one.
 
He said he’s using Hornady dies,FL die I presume.
He also said he’s turning the die in two full turns after in touch’s the shell holder.
Trying to neck size.
Isn’t this backwards?
Shouldn’t you be turning the dies out for neck sizing , when using FL dies?

And how is ie possible to get a cam over if your turning your dies in two full turns after it touches the shell holder
 
If you actually have Lee dies, do you have the most recent Lee manual?

Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Edition Revised 2017 by Richard Lee

If not, stop right now and buy it.

Read the first 100 pages or so right up to and including Chapter 10. Don't try to understand it all the first time through but get a good general idea of 'what is what' and 'what it does' and 'how to use it' in the reloading process. Then read those same 100 or so pages again and when you get to a section about a certain die, LOOK carefully at each and every die you are trying to use, set it up in the press and read and re-read the section in the manual about that particular die. Play with it. Definitely do NOT charge the round with powder until you have a really good idea of what you are doing. Carefully watch the press and die work from multiple angles if possible as you work the arm of the press. Yes, you might destroy a piece of brass or two in the process - oh well. Incredibly cheap compared to losing a finger, thumb, eye or whatever down the road.

There are also some videos on U-Boob to watch. They do NOT replace the above but can be watched to give a complimentary visual approach.

That is my $0.014 worth and I stand by it.
 
to me it sounds like he is trying to use the Lee neck collet die but is not putting nearly enough force on the handle to actually compress the neck against the mandrel. Bottom line is that there is a lot to learn and taking the time to do it will only make for a better reloader in the future.
 
Hornady Match dies apparently don't come with a bushing. You have to purchase them separately. It is likely your sizing die doesn't have one if you haven't sized the neck down.
 
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