Issues with Hornady FL sizing die

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Reaper of the apocalypse

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I recently got a full length custom grade new dimension 2 die set for 6.5x55.

I'm having issues with the full length sizer. I followed the adjustment & setup exactly as per the instructions, but when running my case through, the lever will stop about 80% of the way, and completing the stroke becomes impossible with normal pressure.
I haven't used extra force in order to avoid possible damage to the die.

I'm using a Lyman crusher pro Press, and Lee shell holder.
- Yes I prepped my cases properly

Here are some pics to demonstrate my issue:

First pic here is how I have the die setup
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Second pic is my press without a case, fully stroked
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3rd pic is my press with the case, stroked as far as it can go with normal pressure. Notice that it's unable to make it all the way.
20200627_211325.jpg



If anyone knows what's going on, the help would be appreciated.
 

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Pardon the basic questions but what are you using for case lube and did you check the caliber stamp on the die to be sure the correct one was in the set?
You’ve got me curious. Hope you get it figured out.
 
Normally I would start with the die really high, run a fired case through, measure against some form of chamber checker / case gauge / headspace gauge, and if it didn't resize it enough, lower the die a bit a repeat.
 
Ditto on checking the actual caliber marking on the die. I like the design of Hornady stuff, but honestly I've had more quality troubles with them than any other brand.

You have to try a variety of things and watch to see if you can see where the interference is. Maybe try removing the decapping stem to see if that changes anything.
 
BattleRife said:
Ditto on checking the actual caliber marking on the die. I like the design of Hornady stuff, but honestly I've had more quality troubles with them than any other brand.

You have to try a variety of things and watch to see if you can see where the interference is. Maybe try removing the decapping stem to see if that changes anything.
Click to expand...

I've even tried with the die gutted, same problem. And I may try using my own trail & error, but there's no reason it shouldn't work when setup exactly per Hornady's own instructions.
 
You might have got a bad die, I had problems with a Lee 7.5 French die and it turned out the die was undersized so it was impossible to full length resize it
 
I concur that One Shot spray lube is pretty crap. I have a bottle and I use it up on pistol cases in a carbide die where the lube is less important. For rifle cases I leave it on the shelf because the Lyman spray lube is way better. Haven't tried Dillon.
 
If you are sizing a few cases, the case lube technique does not matter very much. If you have a bucket or two of brass to size, there is a fast efficient way to lube the cases. I lube 100 or so cases (rifle) at a time. Takes about 30 seconds.

I use Lee case lube. It is a water soluble cream that is easy to clean off.

Dump brass in a plastic pail that has a lid.

lubebrass1.jpg


Then take a 1" worm of lube and smear it around the top inside wall of the pail.

lubebrass.jpg


Put lid on and swirl and shake for 15 seconds. This will lube all the cases and deposit a tiny dab on the case mouth, to lube the expander button.
 
OP

Did you take apart the dies, clean off and de-grease the original packing grease then lube them?
The de-priming pin should be setup so only 1/8 to 3/16" sticks out of the bottom of the die.

By any chance, was that brass fired in a semi-auto?
I like using Castor oil as case lube. I like most Hornady products, One Shot case lube is not one of them.
The One Shot Gun Cleaner and Dry Lube is ok for cleaning the original shipping grease off with a compressor.

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You "MUST" remove and clean off any old lube or preservation oil from the die. Some new dies have a dry film preservation on them and the One Shot instructions tell you to use Hoppe's bore solvent to clean the die. Just remember the die needs to be squeaky clean, I use alcohol inside the die as the last cleaning step after the Hoppe's.

Once the die is perfectly clean you spray the inside of the die with One Shot and let dry. And One Shot is a "DRY FILM" lubricant that works great as long as it is appled correctly and dries before sizing.

Below if the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit can use Hornady One Shot without any problems so should you.

usamutop01.png


biglube1605.jpg
 
Take your test brass - jiffy marker the neck, shoulder, body. Run up until you are at the resistance - pull out - should be able to see where it is holding up. Don't completely trust label on box - no matter how much you paid - wrong things get put in wrong boxes. Ensure it does say 6.5x55 on the die body itself. Even then question whether that is what it is really cut for. From looks of your gear, this is not your first case sizing experience? You will figure it out!!

Post #3 is also very good way to "trouble shoot" - set dies 3/8" or more too high to start and run a case in - what got sized on the case? Until that part figured out, I would remove the decapper from the die body completely, to discover issue. Assuming that you only have one 6.5x55 rifle - you have your check gauge - need it to just fit to your rifle's chamber.
 
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Sometimes the batch of brass can be a problem. Just replaced a Lee 7x57 die set to Hornady 7x57 New Dimension set.
S&B brass was a a pain to resize( May have been shot by a semi-auto) whereas Imperial brass was not too bad at all.
 
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