sizing problem

Ruger007

Ruger007

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I am having problems sizing some brass. I received 100 fired 257 wby brass. I ran some brass through a set of rcbs full length dies with #4 shell holder. I set the die up till the shell holder touches the die and added 1/4 turn, as per speer manual.

The gun is a new never fired Remington 700LSS in 257 wby.
Tried the first few cases in chamber to test fit, I can't close bolt.
I then tried some un sized cases, they won't chamber at all.
I put in a new weatherby case, fits fine.
I sized a new weatherby case, also fits fine.

I trimed the sized cases to 2.539" +- .001 after sizing.

Any thoughts???
 
I turned die another 1/8 turn and then another. The case will chamber but still fairly snug closing bolt. I don't think i can screw the die down any more. It is very difficult to do now.
 
I don't understand can't turn the die anymore? You should have lots more movement on the die.

Raise the ram fully.
Turn in die until it kisses the shell holder and then turn the die another 1/4 to 1/2 turn in.
Screw down your lock nut.
Then insert your case and resize.
 
Is your 1x fired brass Weatherby also? I'd load up a couple of the new ones, fire them, then try sizing them. Something is amiss with the used brass...

After you sized them, do they measure the same as the new brass?
 
If you are using an RCBS press try this.

Set up the die so that it takes a bit of force to get the press to over-cam with the case in the die. This should give you the extra UMPH you need to get the brass to chamber. The 1x fired brass you are using may have been shot in a sloppy chamber making the case much bigger than your chamber.

I had the same problem with my 6BR until I overcammed the cases in the body die and VOILA....no problems chambering after that.
 
from left to right:
new weatherby brass, sized once fired, un sized once fired


DSC01761.jpg


The body looks longer in the once fired

I'm definatly cam-over on my rcbs jr press, no more turning of dies as it is all i can do to size them now.
i'm using rcbs lube.
The bolt still closes but still quite stiff.
 
Most belted magnums headspace on the belt not the shoulder, I would suggest you have a case stretch issue between the belt and base of the brass, usually caused by multiple firings, hot loads or a headspace issue.
 
I would set aside your 100 brass that you recieved and try shooting 10-20 factory rounds.

Check to see that your emptys rechamber after you fire them.

Take that brass and FL resize one or two.
Check to see if they chamber after you resized them.

If they do then load up a half dozen and fire them.

Resize that brass FL and check again.

Now you should be able to start setting up the finer points of die adjustment to headspace off the shoulder not the belt.

Not the gospel but its what I would try first off...
 
Ruger007,
The problem isn't your rifle or your sizing die setting. The problem is the once fired cases you bought, or rather the rifle they were fired in. A slightly sloppy chamber in front of the belt on the first rifle has allowed the case to expand in an area that your reloading die won't reach. Your chamber is tighter. It happens sometimes, and you can crank the die in until you break your press and it still won't help.
A sledding buddy of mine had the same problem only worse. He shoots a .300 Win Mag, and had the good fortune to hunt with a guy who uses a BAR in .300 that uses only factory loads and is only too happy to give him all his brass. Trouble is, there was no way in hell that the cases would chamber in his M77 even after full length sizing. Neither of these guys are stupid, and know how to set their dies. About this time I get a phonecall, and show up with my sled and a set of small base dies. As luck would have it, one pass through my die and he was good to go. He could even use his own dies after that.
There's some luck involved, since the SB dies won't guarantee the problem will be cured, and a simple change to someone else's standard dies might have done the trick as well. I don't know if small base dies in .257 Weatherby are even available as stock items, though Redding and RCBS can fix you up with anything you need as custom items.
There's another way. There is a universal collet die that works on the affected area, and also works with all cases based on the H&H case. The company is called Innovative products. 100 Weatherby cases is a good sized chunk of change, compared to the cost of a die. Its worthwhile playing around a bit.
 
I reset my die to touching plus 1/4 turn. I put a new 264 win brass to size, It came out looking like the 257 wby. But still very tight closing bolt. I put some dry erase ink on the brass and it has been definatly been rubing on the sholder (very shiny). I'm thinking it is the die. The dies came with the brass. Any one have some dies they are willing to part with???
 
re sizing problem belted cases

I have the same problem when reloading for my .300 win.they will fit in my gun really tight and not at all in a couple of buddys rifles.I came accross this some time ago.seems to make sense and from what I can see with my measurements true.so check out this
ww w.larrywillis.com read the article on his die and see what you think
 
Well i'm going to bite the bullet, and buy a $80+ box of weatherby ammo. I've never had problems like this before.

I took the brass to a friends house who has a 257 also and the brass fits fine.

I'll shoot the factory ammo and then compare.
That universal collet die looks interesting

Thanks for your help
 
Ruger007 said:
Well i'm going to bite the bullet, and buy a $80+ box of weatherby ammo. I've never had problems like this before.

I took the brass to a friends house who has a 257 also and the brass fits fine.

I'll shoot the factory ammo and then compare.
That universal collet die looks interesting

Thanks for your help
Click to expand...

Why are you buying ammo? You have new brass that fits. Load some, shoot them, then send the cases and the die to RCBS and have them fit it to your chamber. No sense in spending $80 on ammo...

There is one more little trick to try. I had to do this with a .300wsm I had. I had my die touching the shellholder + another 1 full turn, still it wouldn't bump the shoulder back enough. So I put the shellholder on the belt sander and took .002" off the face of it. It then allowed the case further into the die and resized it perfectly.
 
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