22-250 Cases, Decap and Trim, Tight Fit???

waynewjw

waynewjw

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Herters die for 22-250, loading TC Icon. Once fired brass, tumbled then set up the die to decap and re-size. Go to load into the rifle just to make sure and I have to give the bolt that extra shove to make sure they go in? I've tightened the die down and up, and it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Could it be the die? Or am I still doing something wrong? When I load for my other calibers, the cases slight right in like they should.
 
sizing

If you have the shell holder kissing the die at the end of the stroke and trying it in the rifle before loading it then it almost has to be your sizer die.
I am taking it you have a full length sizer die?
You are in spec for over all length for the case?
Have you tried a case not loaded?
Is this happening with a case loaded?
Could be over all length of cartridge?
If tought seating bullet you could be bulging case

Ken.
 
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Some answers

Brass was fired in a Browning, no resizing for a TC Icon. OAL is fine and to spec, they round fit, just need that extra little push to lock down the bolt. My die touches the reloader on the upstroke, plus a 1/6 turn. It a full length resizing die, cases are trimmed to spec. and the empty case and the loaded case have the same issue.

"If tought seating bullet you could be bulging case" means what, didn't get that, but if the resizing die is all the way down on the down stroke, what is causing the case to bulge???
 
The web of the case may have expanded too much for use in the T/C. The resizing die can't size the web of a case.
 
If you are using a Herter's die set, it is probably over 40 years old, and may have dated from the time when .22-250 was either a wildcat or new factory. Who knows how tight the specifications were on the die set.
Perhaps a new set of dies?
 
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New Die

I was thinking it might be the die. The Herters haven't been made for a long time and you guys may be right in that the spec's aren't what is required today.

I also noticed some scratch marks on the casings once I resize, so that in it itself is a reason to upgrade. I'm currently using Lyman dies for .270, should I stick to the same or go RCBS, Redding, Lee. What's the opinion?
 
waynewjw said:
I also noticed some scratch marks on the casings once I resize, so that in it itself is a reason to upgrade. I'm currently using Lyman dies for .270, should I stick to the same or go RCBS, Redding, Lee. What's the opinion?
Click to expand...

Redding Deluxe 3 die set.......cause you can add the carbide expander ball option and resize slicker than snot either FL or neck size.
 
If your die is scratching your brass it either needs to be cleaned or replaced. If you are satisfied with the seating die, you can purchase a FL resizer individually, but really the dies that are produced today are much better than those of a generation ago, and there is no reason really not to retire the old Herters set for a new one. Everyone has their preferences as to manufacturer, but amongst the big names there is little difference in quality. If you opt for a neck sizing die, you will still need either a body die or a FL die to bump back the shoulder every few reloads. For a small bore rifle I would probably opt for Redding competition set which uses bushings rather than an expanding button and comes with a body die. But these sets tend to be expensive and in many cases don't produce ammo that is any more concentric than that loaded with conventional dies. The advantage of a bushing set is that it allows you to adjust the bullet pull weight, and allow for the differences in case neck thicknesses if that is something that matters to you.
 
Had exactly the same problem with my .280 AI. Dies tightened down to touch the shellholder and it took a great deal of pressure to close the bolt. At the suggestion of another CGNer I filed a few thousands off the die so it bumped the shoulder back a few more thousands and that was all that was needed. Full length sized brass now chambers as slick as can be. It was suggested (correctly) that I could have filed off the top of the shellholder and, in my Lyman or RCBS presses that would have worked but in my Bonanza Coax, it has a universal shellholder that I didn't want to bugger up. If you're thinking of getting new dies, you've got nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain by filing them down a few thousands. Pull the expander ball, stick it in a vice and it will only take a few minutes with a good file or stone.
 
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