Well I set up my reloading press tonight went to size some brass from my .243 and it is kinking the neck of the shell 50% of the time.ok I spun out that die and put in the seating die it is giving the neck a weird angle.I have reloaded lots but with a lee classic this has been my first time with a press.I am using a lee press and rcbs dies , do I not have something set right ?any insight is appreciated.
problems with rcbs dies?
- Thread starter slug1977
- Start date
Are you following RCBS specific instructions on Die setup or are you setting up the way you would with Lee dies? They are different. I learned this as a newbie with Hornady dies and I was used to Lee. I ####ed up over 200 rounds of .223. 
I assume these are Full Length sizing dies and are for the correct calibre you are sizing. Have you read and re read how to set the sizing die up?
Sizing Die is the one with the decapping pin sticking out of the bottom.
Put the shell holder on the ram and raise it all the way up (pull lever down)
Next screw the die in until it touches the shellholder, then lower the ram and screw the die in another 1/2 to full turn. Set the lock ring, this is where the FL sizing die needs to be. Now put a lubed case in and run it all the way into the die (die should tightly bottom out on shellholder). Lube should be on the body of the case but not the outside neck/shoulder. You can put a dab inside the neck if you want. It should take a bit of force to size the case, but not a ton. I did not like the Lee lube (many people do tho) and I prefer Imperial Sizing die wax from Redding, RCBS case lube 2 on a lube pad or Amsoil motor oil (oil can mess up primers if not cleaned well).
After cases are sized check with a calipre to make sure they are not longer than the max case length in the manual for your calipre. If they are long, trim and chamfer them.
Normally you now seat primers and charge with powder. I think you should wait and aim to make one or two perfect dummy rounds first.
Remove the sizing die and place a sized trimmed case in the shellholder and raise the ram all the way. Screw the sizing die in until you feel it touch the case (this is the crimping part inside the die) now back the die out about 1 full turn (you're not gonna learn to crimp right now) so it doesnt crimp. Back out the seating stem a bit on top of the die. From here you can seat bullets you will play with the seating depth via the bolt/rod on top of the die. I usually only seat the first one a little bit at a time (don't pull lever all the way) to see if I have the stem backed out enough. You can always seat the bullet deeper, but if you start too deep it's hard to pull it out without a puller or kinetic bullet pulling hammer.
Sizing Die is the one with the decapping pin sticking out of the bottom.
Put the shell holder on the ram and raise it all the way up (pull lever down)
Next screw the die in until it touches the shellholder, then lower the ram and screw the die in another 1/2 to full turn. Set the lock ring, this is where the FL sizing die needs to be. Now put a lubed case in and run it all the way into the die (die should tightly bottom out on shellholder). Lube should be on the body of the case but not the outside neck/shoulder. You can put a dab inside the neck if you want. It should take a bit of force to size the case, but not a ton. I did not like the Lee lube (many people do tho) and I prefer Imperial Sizing die wax from Redding, RCBS case lube 2 on a lube pad or Amsoil motor oil (oil can mess up primers if not cleaned well).
After cases are sized check with a calipre to make sure they are not longer than the max case length in the manual for your calipre. If they are long, trim and chamfer them.
Normally you now seat primers and charge with powder. I think you should wait and aim to make one or two perfect dummy rounds first.
Remove the sizing die and place a sized trimmed case in the shellholder and raise the ram all the way. Screw the sizing die in until you feel it touch the case (this is the crimping part inside the die) now back the die out about 1 full turn (you're not gonna learn to crimp right now) so it doesnt crimp. Back out the seating stem a bit on top of the die. From here you can seat bullets you will play with the seating depth via the bolt/rod on top of the die. I usually only seat the first one a little bit at a time (don't pull lever all the way) to see if I have the stem backed out enough. You can always seat the bullet deeper, but if you start too deep it's hard to pull it out without a puller or kinetic bullet pulling hammer.
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A picture tells a Thousand words.
You mentioned you are using lots of lube, there in its self might lie the problem.
To much lube and a full quick stroke of the press will not allow air to escape from the small escape hole in the RCBS die.
So, is it a dent in the neck area or is it an actual kink where the neck is deformed/bent?
RCBS are well constructed dies for the money as are lee dies, the price point is the main difference.
I'm just pointing out a couple of points from past experience in my own learning curve on reloading with RCBS kit.
Hope this helps some,
Rob
You mentioned you are using lots of lube, there in its self might lie the problem.
To much lube and a full quick stroke of the press will not allow air to escape from the small escape hole in the RCBS die.
So, is it a dent in the neck area or is it an actual kink where the neck is deformed/bent?
RCBS are well constructed dies for the money as are lee dies, the price point is the main difference.
I'm just pointing out a couple of points from past experience in my own learning curve on reloading with RCBS kit.
Hope this helps some,
Rob
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NShunter1254
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia Canada
There's your trouble,I find the lee lube gums up the dies and causes the issues you have,I switched to rcbs case lube 2 and roll them on the pad.Take your dies apart and clean them.
Sounds like too much lube for the dents in the neck. Little is good more is bad. As for the problem with the seating, sounds like it is set too deep and over crimping, pushing in the neck. To set the seating die, put a case on the ram and raise the ram. Turn in the seating die until you feel it touch the case. Back off a half turn and lock in place. Adjust the seating stem for desired col. This way you are not crimping. If you want to crimp be sure your cases are all the same length, seat bullet to crimp groove, turn die to touch case mouth then turn in a little bit at a time until desired crimp is achieved. Good luck.
Are you following RCBS specific instructions on Die setup or are you setting up the way you would with Lee dies? They are different. I learned this as a newbie with Hornady dies and I was used to Lee. I f**ked up over 200 rounds of .223.
I wasn't aware of a specific method to set up RCBS dies!
Could you explain??
To OP
It's really hard to diagnose your problem.
Are you sure your sizeing with the sizer die?
I know of nothing else that would "kinking the neck"
I wasn't aware of a specific method to set up RCBS dies!
Could you explain??
To OP
It's really hard to diagnose your problem.
Are you sure your sizeing with the sizer die?
I know of nothing else that would "kinking the neck"
Sounds like a "Guy Thing"
Read the instructions that come with the dies. Probably going back every now and again reinforces some minor changes I can make to my procedure.
RCBS will supply die setup procedures, there are videos, and on line instruction.
Watching the video on using the lube pad, it was suggested using a teaspoon of lube. Three drops will easily do 50 rounds of .30-06.
Too much lube. Dented/wrinkled several 45-70 cases in my newbie reloading days from too much of a liquid lube. Use the lube Very sparingly as it says on the tube of lee lube. If you are still having problems, switch to a quality sizing wax like imperial, redding, or royal. Only use enough to keep the case from sticking...no more.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Over the years it seems I've gravitated towards primarily one supplier of reolading equipment. As such most of my reloading 'goodies' are RCBS. Some Lyman, a sprinkling of Bonanza and Redding but mainly RCBS.
I've found their customer service second to none and on a few occasions support from their technical department has been of considerable help. Generally speaking, I've found their products to be great, with one exception. Their case resizing lube. I found it to be too sticky and not the easiest to wipe off.
I'd say the best case lube I've come across is a product called "Imperial Sizing Die Wax". As others have mentioned and as Imperial states in bold font right on the tin, Use Very Sparingly. Good advice as a little of this product works exceptionally well and goes a long way. However, a fairly close second and less expensive is a product by Hornady called "Unique Case Lube". To my way of thinking, for resizing and especially in some of the more difficult case forming operations, Imperial is the best by far.
I've found their customer service second to none and on a few occasions support from their technical department has been of considerable help. Generally speaking, I've found their products to be great, with one exception. Their case resizing lube. I found it to be too sticky and not the easiest to wipe off.
I'd say the best case lube I've come across is a product called "Imperial Sizing Die Wax". As others have mentioned and as Imperial states in bold font right on the tin, Use Very Sparingly. Good advice as a little of this product works exceptionally well and goes a long way. However, a fairly close second and less expensive is a product by Hornady called "Unique Case Lube". To my way of thinking, for resizing and especially in some of the more difficult case forming operations, Imperial is the best by far.
also, you do not want to lube the outside of the neck of shell for it can cause just what you have explained. Just lube the outside of shell, not the outside of the neck, BUT IT IS SOMETIMES SUGGESTED TO get a brush and lube the inside of the shell neck. You just need a very light coat lube ... dont over do it.
