Head spacing issues and Hornady dies

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coleman1495

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Hello fellow CGN,

I recently started reloading for my .243 win. This is the first time I have reloaded rifle cartridges. I produced my first box of rounds and took them to the range this weekend for testing.

The reloads did not chamber properly in the rifle. The bolt was stiff to close. I have fired factory ammo from this rifle with out having any difficulty. When I got home I began checking over the handloads with calipers. Every measurement is in spec in accordance with my Speer reloading manual and matched that of some factory rounds I had.

The only possible cause I could think of is the shoulder of the casing. I am using newer Hornady Dies (uses full length sizing die) in a Lee press with a Lee shellholder. I started experimenting with resizing fired brass and trying to chamber it in my rifle. The brass made the bolt stiff to close as well. The Speer manual mentions that people should use shellholder and die combinations from the same manufacturer for the best results. That got me to thinking that maybe the lee shellholder does not work with the hornady dies. So I went out and purchased a hornady shellholder.

The hornady shellholder does not fit very well into a Lee press. It will work but has a tendency of getting stuck and does not sit 100% right. When using the hornady shell holder the brass produced chambers much easier into my rifle. There is still a little resistance in the bolt but is do able.

Anyways Im kind of stuck here. Is there something I am missing when it comes to adjusting a full length sizing die? I have the die turning down until it touches the shellholder. If it helps my rifle is a savage 111.
 
It sounds like the case is not going into the die far enough. If you have set the die so it is firmly contacting the shell holder and the cases are still difficult to chamber then you have a minimum length or even a little short chamber, but there is a simple solution. Take the shell holder and measure its height then either carefully file or better yet machine a few thousandths off the top of the shell holder, this will allow the case to enter the die a bit further pushing the shoulder back till the case chambers easily. By the way a case that you can just feel when it chambers is fine and actually preferred by some shooters.
 
Not being a smart ass but did you adjust the dies as per the instructions, here is what I found on the Hornady site:

To adjust the full-length size die, follow these steps:
1. Raise the press ram to highest position without camming over.
2. Thread the full-length die into the press until the base touches
the shell holder head.
3. Tighten the lock ring against the press and tighten the set
screw with the allen wrench.
Click to expand...

I started out many years ago with RCBS dies and their adjustment instructions always works for me, this is basically what I do:


Here is how to adjust the resizing die to full length resize cases. First, run the ram to the top of the reloading press stroke with the proper shell holder installed. Second, screw the resizing die into the press until it stops against the elevated shell holder. Third, all play must be removed from the system. To do this, lower the ram and turn the die 1/8 to 1/4 turn farther into the press. Check the adjustment by returning the shell holder to the top of its stroke--you should feel the press cam over center. Now set the large lock ring and your die is adjusted to properly full length resize cases.
Click to expand...

When you have a casing at the top of the ram stroke in the die there should not be a gap between the shell holder and the bottom of the die if you are getting a true full length resize, but don't go beyond the 1/8 to 1/4 turn as described above as you don't want to go overboard on the die to shell holder contact.
 
Get one of these. This will help with die setup so that its case chambers properly.

w w w.brownells.com/reloading/measuring-tools/case-gauges-headspace-tools/wilson-case-gauge-prod33287.aspx
 
Yeah I figured that out a long time ago. The die cannot go down any further than I already have it set. I adjusted the die as per hornady instructions. The shellholder simply contacts the die.
 
I have the die turning down until it touches the shellholder.
Click to expand...

Then ad another 1/8 turn for preload. Even if the die touches the shellholder without a case, it might not be touching the shellholder when sizing a case, due to flex in the press. If your press is one of the lower priced LEE units, this is quite likely.



Was the brass that you are using fired in your rifle, or in another rifle?
 
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Yep tried adding another 1/8 turn and then even an extra 1/2 turn. I tried brass that was fired from my rifle and brass that was fired from someone elses rifle. The brass from my rifle will chamber but with difficulty. The brass from the other guys rifle will not chamber at all.
 
I just started reloading as well and experienced something similar. After doing much Google-fu, I found that the practice in setting up a Lee press is to tighten the seating die until in contacts the shell holder (at top dead-centre), then screw the die in by an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn.

This resolved my chambering issues and the casing fits my case gauge exactly.
 
Right, But I am saying that I have adjusted the die to the point in which the press will not even complete the stroke. The casing still does not chamber at that point. I can not adjust the die anymore as the shellholder bottoms out against the die.
 
This might be too simple to solve your problem but I noticed you said you are RELOADING rifle cartridges. Did you measure & trim the fired cases to the proper trim-to length after resizing them? Cases that are over the maximum length with cause clambering problems up to and including not fully clambering at all. Ask me how I know. :redface:
 
You are attempting to perform a task which you are not properly equipped to perform.
You must first be able to measure the headspace of your rifle.
This will give you a starting point.

You will need a vernier caliper, and a headspace gauge.

Hornady sells a headspace kit part # HK66.

Take 1 factory round and fire it through your rifle.
Measure the fired case using the headspace kit attached to the vernier caliper.
Adjust your die to push the shoulder back a couple of thousandths of an inch.
Once the shoulder is pushed back then you measure the case length to ensure it is not over the maximum length and in need of trimming.

At least with the headspace gauge you will see what is happening when you adjust the die up or down.

The other option is to neck size your brass which will allow you to shoot it a couple more times before the shoulder needs to be pushed back.

Also make sure you are properly lubricating your brass when sizing.
Hornady Unique or Imperial sizing wax work the best.
Mink oil can be used in a pinch.
 
Okay thanks for the replies. I ended up sanding off .003 off of my Lee shellholder. Anyways it seems too work alright now.

Oh and you really don't realize how tough the steel on a shell holder till u wear out a sheet of emery cloth trying to get a few thousandths off.
 
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