FL sizing and shims question...

Ducimus

Ducimus

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
40   0   0
Location
Alberta
Ok so I've got my FL dies and my shims just came in the mail. What's the best method for using the shims to get the whole thing up. I'm just looking to bump the cases back .002.

In the past I have been using a bump gauge on my calliper to set up my die. I'm hoping the shims will made the process easier.
 
Any shim on top of the shellholder will work to shim the die up.Just screw it down til it touches and lock it there. I have used brass shimstock, paper, plastic, dimes. Just need to know how thick a shim you want to use.
 
209jones said:
Any shim on top of the shellholder will work to shim the die up.Just screw it down til it touches and lock it there. I have used brass shimstock, paper, plastic, dimes. Just need to know how thick a shim you want to use.
Click to expand...

So you're saying bring the ram to the top with say .002 worth of shim and screw the die down until it touches and lock it in. I ran a couple through last night. I used the shims under the locking ring method. I’m heading out in few minutes to go shooting. I'll see if my rounds are fat or not. I bumped them back .001 measured on my shortest fired round. So that works out to .002 or so on my longest rounds.
 
It seems to me that shims would just complicate the situation.
For the first firing, or maybe three or four, the cases should go back in the rifle they were fired in. So just lock the sizing die up, maybe 1/16 inch.
The first time you have a case that goes in the rifle hard, adjust your die. Either smoke the shoulder, to see when the die starts to touch it, or go by trial and error. Adjust the die just a very little bit, after it touches the shoulder, until teh case will seat satisfactoryily in the rifle.
Lock the adjusting ring in this position and that is it. Every time you put the die back in the press, you set it to the locked ring.
What are the shims for?
 
257Roberts said:
I don't know much about these shims you are using. Who is making them and where can I find out about them.
As a suggestion have a look at Reddings competition shell holders. I use them and I can control head space very easily when I FLR my brass.
http://www.redding-reloading.com/in...ew=article&id=35:competition-shellholder-sets
Click to expand...

Skips shim kit from Sinclear International. They are the same idea at the competition shell holder they just work from the other end.
 
The shellholders are more consistent. With them, you make contact with the die, taking press flex out of the picture. With shims, if the press flexes a little more or less (more or less lube, harder brass, etc.) then the headspace will be off a bit.
 
I use the #6 shim to start (as recommended in the shim instructions), and measure headspace as you would do normally. I use an RCBS precision mic or Hornady headspace guage depeding on the rifle I am reloading for.

If you are an anal handloader like me, and you measure headspace each time you reload your brass, you will find that different lots brass and work hardening will result in different/changing brass headspace. When it does, you change your shims appropriately.
 
I use a Larry Willis' "Digital Headspace Gauge" to set up my resizing dies. To set it up for a .002" bump on the shoulder I use the following procedure:

1. I take a case fire formed in my firearm. The case should be a tight fit so that it's as close as possible to chamber dimensions.
2. Set the case in the Digital Headspace Gauge and zero the gauge (can use Hornady or RCBS gauges). Here's the link:
h ttp://www.larrywillis.com/
3. Insert a .003" shim on the FL or redding body die and screw the die in the press till it's snug on the shellholder or 1/16-1/8 extra turn for presses with some flex.
4. Resize the case with that set up.
5. Place the case in the Digital Headspace Gauge and get a measurement of the amount of shoulder bump.
6. If the bump measures .005" all you need to do is replace the .003" shim with a .006" shim and you get a .002" bump.

The beauty of this set up is that you don't need to touch the die even if you have multiple guns of the same caliber - you just change the shim in accordance with the bump you need. Also you can use another shim if you want more or less bump.

Occasionally, you get a minimal dimension chamber where you can only get less than .001" with the FL or body die. When this occurs, I use a dedicated shell holder which I sand on a flat surface to take off .001" or so.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom