re-sizing question - ADVICE PLEASE!!

Mr. Buttons

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With almost circus like results I have tried over the last couple of days to resize some 6.5X55 Swedish Mauser brass (headstamp nny). Everything goes just fine until I almost have the case totally resized and inside of the die (first photo). At this point the case totally binds up and will not move any further. I have tried this exercise both with and without the de-priming rod installed with the same results.

The case is well lubed and the dies are a used set of Lees that a fine Canadian gave me to get me started. :)

My question - is this as far as I can expect to have this case enter the die or do I have another problem (maybe with the die itself)? From what little I know on the subject, and if experience with other calibres is any indication, I should be able to raise the shell until the die contacts the shell holder (which obviously isn't happening here)

I have attached a photo of the case (second photo) itself after it has been resized to also display the line where the case was resized and where it's not.

Any advice would be appreciated.

thanks

guns094.jpg


guns093.jpg
 
What you have just discovered (I think) is the other type of primer - Berdan primer. There is no single flash hole but two. This brass cannot be resized using conventional/Boxer primer dies.

Take a flashlight and look at the flash hole. If you see two, pitch the brass and get some boxer primed (single flash hole brass).

If not, toss the brass anyways as it is really stretched at the base and resizing can lead to head separation.

Jerry
 
naugler said:
. I have tried this exercise both with and without the de-priming rod installed with the same results.



Your dies are are probably something other than 6.5 x 55


Double-check the markings as all 6.5s are not the same.



6.5 x 50 Arisaka
6.5 x 52 Mannlicher-Carcano
6.5 x 54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer
6.5 x 57
6.5 x 57R
 
As a rule I've found Lee's to be on the small side, but to cut into brass like that,NO WAY..As mentioned,check dies,case type,and inside case wth bore light for a seperation ring starting..All this checking out OKAY,then you may have a gun prob:(
 
Thanks for all the advice.

From what I gather this is not normal. I am assuming there is a problem with either the brass or die. Just for the record the dies are 6.5X55 and the brass is boxer primed.

The brass is, however, used (the not used by me sort of used) but comes from a reliable and trustworthy source.

thanks again
 
Measure the brass, measure the die, measure unfired ammuntion of the same brand, if you can. One or other may be off spec. The brass MAY have been fired in a rifle with oversized chamber. I have observed variation in rim dimensions on 6.5 brass, based on entry into shell holders.
 
Check your die for rust because the imprint on the case looks nasty. What are you usiing for case lube.
Driller
 
Assuming that both the dies and the brass are both 6.5x55 Swedish and the dies are in good condition then the next step is to measure the diameter of the unsized brass at the web for excessive expansion, at times brass that has been fired in some guns with loose chambers can show this type of scraping when being resized, trying to resize a new case will show if there is something wrong with the dies dimensions without having to try to measure the internal dimensions of the die. A sharp edge at the dies throat can also show this type of scraping when resizing.
bigbull
 
Smoke the neck of the case and see how far done it is being sized... if it is all the way to the shoulder then there is something wrong with your die. If it is only sized part way down then your press may not have enough leverage to do the job. It looks like a Lee press in the picture, maybe I am wrong on that....
 
One thing to watch out for with the "nny" (a.k.a. Prvi Partizan) is that the rims are a bit thick so they don't always slide under the extractor as nicely as other brands of brass.
 
naugler said:
Thanks for all the advice.

From what I gather this is not normal. I am assuming there is a problem with either the brass or die. Just for the record the dies are 6.5X55 and the brass is boxer primed.

The brass is, however, used (the not used by me sort of used) but comes from a reliable and trustworthy source.

thanks again

Two things here, one; as mentioned the dies have been cut (a not uncommon practice to get brass further into the die for more resizing, think small base dies for semi autos).

And two; the brass is once fired in SOMEONE ELSE'S CHAMBER, which looks like it may quite well be "generously" over sized. - dan
 
Die

Hitzy said:
The end has been cut off the die...........
Should be about 1/2" of smooth, non-threaded die at the mouth. No idea why someone would do that though.........
Lee Dies Pics

I agree, a ~5mm (?) have been shaved off this die, ? wildcat die.

I doubt this will be of any use and is probably dangerous to use unless you are using it for the specific wildcat load for which it has been modified.
 
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