head space issue with 7mm rem mag reloads

So after all this trouble I waited patiently and got myself the Belted Magnum resizing collet die. A CGN'er was nice enough to offer his up for sale as he did not use it any more.
First off even with all the lube in the world extracting the case and collet from the die is incredible work.
Second, trying the case in my rifle after the resizing was still a failure, maybe I'm not doing something right.

so then I start looking up neck sizing only for brass that has been fired through my rifle.
sounds great, only one issue, does this mean I have to find a new method to remove the old primer as you would need to put case through the die to pop primer out, and won't that then do a FL resizing?
 
358Rooster said:
OP, how many times have you fired and resized that brass?. If you're FL sizing every time, there's a reasonably good chance you've pushed enough brass down against the belts that the diameter just ahead of the belt is now preventing you from chambering fully.

This has been discussed here several times and is well known otherwise. I've encountered this problem in as few as three firings in a .300 WM. The link below shows a tool to solve the problem and also gives a brief description of what happens - this may be your issue. Scroll down to the third section.

Edit: click on Articles about our die in the sidebar to the left. This is a more comprehensive explanation.

http://www.larrywillis.com/

Yes, eliminate the most fundamental of variables, but don't over complicate things. KISS!

Rooster
Click to expand...


thi stool does not seem to be working and is incredibly difficult to extract from the press, even with lots of lube
 
tinymike66 said:
thi stool does not seem to be working and is incredibly difficult to extract from the press, even with lots of lube
Click to expand...

There's a bit of a trick to Using it. When swaging the case down, do it in
In stages. It's better to run it in and out a few times, gaining a little more each time
than to ram it in all at once and stick it solid. I found that the collet does burnish in with use.
 
Question, are you sizing these cases first with a standard full length die?

After normal sizing you drop the case into the top of the collet die and if it doesn't drop all the way in you then use the collet die to size the case just above the belt.

Operating Instructions

This collet die is universal and it works on all belted magnum cartridges (except 224, 240, 378 and 460 Weatherby). There are no extra collets required. Before each use, be sure that the die and collet are absolutely clean - especially the slots on the collet.

Always use a good high-pressure lubricant on the outside of the collet, and on your shell casing. We strongly recommend using "Imperial Sizing Die Wax" for best results. It is easy to use, it's not sticky and it is very popular with reloaders - because it works. Don't use any type of liquid lube.

This collet die should only be used on cartridge cases that have already been resized with a full length (or) neck sizing die. Always headspace on the shoulder, not on the belt. We have had belted magnum cases last more than 20 firings with maximum loads. However, always examine the inside of your cases for signs of brass stretching just above the belt.

The "top" of this die serves as a case width gauge that will identify your oversize cases. The cases that don't fit inside should be resized with the collet die. This avoids overworking the brass and insures a perfect fit in your chamber.

Cases that are fired repeatedly without ever using the collet resizing die could swell beyond recovery. Always check fired cases to see if they will drop freely into the top of the die. Remember that the size of different rifle chambers can vary considerably.

Note that the collet is slightly tapered. The small end is identified by a 45 degree cut on that end. Slide the collet over the case and be sure that it contacts the belt. The small end of the collet must face the mouth of the case.

Remove the locking collar and insert the die (from the bottom) into your press as far as it will go. Adjust the die all the way into the press, as far as it will go. Then replace the locking collar on top of the die. The ram of your press (with shell holder inserted) should have a small clearance under the die - if possible. This setting will allow you to resize the expansion ring on your case (just above the belt) to .510" or as needed.

If resizing seems to require too much pressure, withdraw the case, rotate it, and press it into the die again. Be sure the collet stays seated against the belt. The collet can easily be separated from the case by inverting it, holding it against the shell holder and carefully use your press to push the case out of your collet and into the die.

If you have any questions about the proper use of your belted magnum collet resizing die, contact Larry Willis at Innovative Technologies at it@mpinet.net (or) call at 407-695-2685.
 
I can't stress this enough, but invest in a head space gauge. I have one (Hornady) and I use it for my 300WM, which is also a belted case. I'm on my 6th firing of the brass and no issues whatsoever.
Second thing you need to get, is the Redding body die. Using the body die, you're only bumping the shoulder back 0.001-0.002". That's all it takes. Belted cases are head spaced on the belt only from the factory. All subsequent firings, they are head spaced from the bottom of the case to the datum line on the shoulder just like any other non-belted case.


Now for the actual resizing process:
1. Deprime and tumble your brass
2. Measure the head space.
2. Bump the shoulder back 0.001"-0.002". Do this after every firing. Forget about neck sizing only.
3. Check your case length. Trim if necessary.
4. Neck size. I use the Lee Collet neck sizing die. Works great
5. Prime, weigh the powder and seat the bullet.
6. Shoot, rinse and repeat
 
something that might be causing problems for you is your case neck. if you aren't using some type of graphite or other dry lube inside the case neck the expander ball might be pulling on the neck on the upstroke of the press handle. the other problem might be the portion of the sizing die which resizes the case neck...it may be out of spec on the small side and the expander ball will be difficult to pull through. is there a lot of resistance when you are bringing the case down out of the sizing die?
 
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