Wondering if it is possible to adjust the amount of shoulder setback with the RCBS FL die? Instructions say to make sure the lever cams over to remove slack between the ram and the die. What happens if you don't? I know i could experiment, but figure before I start messing with the adjustment of my die, I would appeal to the wisdom to found on the reloading forum.
Adjusting Shoulder Bump with RCBS FL Dies?
- Thread starter Seeker2
- Start date
RangerPark
CGN frequent flyer
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- Near Edmonton, AB
All standard dies are threaded at 14 TPI on the outside. Adjust your die to fully cam over. FL resize one casing and measure the datum height. You'll need a Hornady or similar gauge. For example, SAAMI on .308 is 1.634-.007". My RCBS FL Die sets my case to about 1.620" at full cam over. Using markers to set a reference point turn back your die 1/4 turn, that will be approximately .017". This would set my die to 1.637". Then, using more markers and reference lines, turn your die back in a little at a time until you get the desired set back.
If you don't have gauges you would need a case that's tight in your chamber. Set FL Die to full cam over. Back off 1/4 turn or a bit more. Turn the die back in one hair at a time and FL Size your tight case until you feel little to no bolt tension when you close it on the case.
I reload for two different .308's. The chambers are cut quite differently. One is at 1.628" and one is at 1.634". I use two different FL dies each set for their own chamber. I FL reside at 1.627" and 1.633" respectively.
Hope this helps.
If you don't have gauges you would need a case that's tight in your chamber. Set FL Die to full cam over. Back off 1/4 turn or a bit more. Turn the die back in one hair at a time and FL Size your tight case until you feel little to no bolt tension when you close it on the case.
I reload for two different .308's. The chambers are cut quite differently. One is at 1.628" and one is at 1.634". I use two different FL dies each set for their own chamber. I FL reside at 1.627" and 1.633" respectively.
Hope this helps.
I assume you have some cases that have shoulder resitanc when closing the bolt, so you want to bump the should just a little bit.
This is how I do it.
find some cases with a strong resitance. Don't close the bolt on them all the way, because that would size them.
Back the sizer off two turns, and verify the dies does not hit the shoulder of the case.
Lube the cases.
Put a case in the press and make a series of stroked, turning down the die a quarter turn at a time, until you fee the extra resistance of kissing the shoulder. Lock that position and size 3 cases.
Clean the lube and see if they chamber with less resistance. I like my cases to have a little resistance near the bottom stroke of the bolt handle.
If there is more bolt resistance than you like, turn die down another quarter turn and try again.
This is how I do it.
find some cases with a strong resitance. Don't close the bolt on them all the way, because that would size them.
Back the sizer off two turns, and verify the dies does not hit the shoulder of the case.
Lube the cases.
Put a case in the press and make a series of stroked, turning down the die a quarter turn at a time, until you fee the extra resistance of kissing the shoulder. Lock that position and size 3 cases.
Clean the lube and see if they chamber with less resistance. I like my cases to have a little resistance near the bottom stroke of the bolt handle.
If there is more bolt resistance than you like, turn die down another quarter turn and try again.
