IVI Brass sizing issue

[Keithjohn]

. You may need a Redding competition shell holder set which will allow you to fine tune headspace in .002" increments

I used a feeler gauge between the shellholder and the brass once , cheaper than the Redding set seeing I've never needed to again
Just have a hole in my feeler gauge to remember it by

 

[bigedp51]

I'm still using the RCBS Rockchucker press I bought in 1973 and it has a little slop in the linkage.

After reading the above post by Keithjohn I wanted to see the difference between using a +.004 Redding competition shell holder and placing a .004 feeler gauge between the shell holder and die. I knew using the feeler gauge method vs the competition shell holders I would get larger variations in shoulder location because of the slop in the press linkage.

When I first started reloading I used feeler gauges and then bought some headspace shims you place under the dies lock ring for adjustments. Then later I bought the Redding competition shell holders and these are far easier to use and more accurate for adjusting shoulder bump.

When using the Redding competition shell holders and adjusting the press to cam over, meaning screw the die down until it contacts the shell holder plus 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn more on the die.

When the standard RCBS shell holder is used for the above setup the die is never touched to adjust the shoulder bump with the competition shell holders.

All you do is change the competition shell holder to change and adjust the amount of shoulder bump.

The main advantage to the competition shell holders is it allows the press to cam over and the die make hard contact with the shell holder and remove all the slop in the press.

Bottom line, I sized a case using the +.004 competition shell holder and sized a case using a .004 air gap between the shell holder and die. And got .003 case shoulder variations using the feeler gauge method. Meaning when the die and shell holder make hard contact any slop in the press is eliminated and the shoulder location is more constant.

NOTE, I'm sizing once fired Lake City cases fired in many different chambers and the Redding competition shell holders help greatly with shoulder location uniformity.

 

[kjohn]

I work the lever twice when resizing full length. Got in the habit years ago. I use good old Lee lube in the white tube. Might be worth a try..

 

[NaviDave]

My 2 cents...

Over-camming is BS. All my Redding sizing dies are at least .008” too long. I couldn’t size 303 brit to below max on Wilson case gage on a Redding ultramag by over-camming. Bought a Hornady .312 sizing die - no problems. Need to replace all Redding sizing dies or spend an hour or more trying to lap them. Cheaper to switch to Hornady or RCBS.

As far as IVI 308 sizing - lanolin lube, size once with regular FL die then again with RCBS small base die. You need a Wilson gage to get this right.

 

[Dogleg]

I'm still using the RCBS Rockchucker press I bought in 1973 and it has a little slop in the linkage.

After reading the above post by Keithjohn I wanted to see the difference between using a +.004 Redding competition shell holder and placing a .004 feeler gauge between the shell holder and die. I knew using the feeler gauge method vs the competition shell holders I would get larger variations in shoulder location because of the slop in the press linkage.

When I first started reloading I used feeler gauges and then bought some headspace shims you place under the dies lock ring for adjustments. Then later I bought the Redding competition shell holders and these are far easier to use and more accurate for adjusting shoulder bump.

When using the Redding competition shell holders and adjusting the press to cam over, meaning screw the die down until it contacts the shell holder plus 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn more on the die.

When the standard RCBS shell holder is used for the above setup the die is never touched to adjust the shoulder bump with the competition shell holders.

All you do is change the competition shell holder to change and adjust the amount of shoulder bump.

The main advantage to the competition shell holders is it allows the press to cam over and the die make hard contact with the shell holder and remove all the slop in the press.

Bottom line, I sized a case using the +.004 competition shell holder and sized a case using a .004 air gap between the shell holder and die. And got .003 case shoulder variations using the feeler gauge method. Meaning when the die and shell holder make hard contact any slop in the press is eliminated and the shoulder location is more constant.

NOTE, I'm sizing once fired Lake City cases fired in many different chambers and the Redding competition shell holders help greatly with shoulder location uniformity.

Sizing with an air-space is like pushing rope.

 

[Riven]

I just set my die about a full rotation lower & wow the trouble brass just drops right in the chamber. Guess ill be leaving it set like this from now on.
Thanks everyone!

 

[Wiskey1]

ivi .308 brass from machine gun use is a real ##### to size,i use ivi .308 Match cases from the sniper training days,it's originaly loaded with 168 SMK's,and THAT ivi .308 brass is unbelievable quality,weights within .5 of a grain is easily done with sorting,but that brass is really hard to get,but worth it,i hoarded 1000's of these,closest thing to Lapua brass for cheap.these cases run in the dies easy,unlike the general purpose stuff you have to stand on the press arm to size,,LOL.

 

[Ganderite]

I just set my die about a full rotation lower & wow the trouble brass just drops right in the chamber. Guess ill be leaving it set like this from now on.
Thanks everyone!

"Turn the die down another full rev, so that the die hits the shell holder and does not cam over. This is 100% size."

Sometimes even a broken clock is right.