Reloading problem, sizing issue.

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98ssuck

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I am having some issues reloading. I am new to reloading but I think I have found my issue now I just need help with a solution. With .308 the bullets are not cambering properly and sticking out of the chamber about 1/16 of a inch. Measuring my brass I have found
Overall lengh 2.005"
Body lengh 1.560"
To top of shoulder 1.725

The top of the shoulder should be 1.675
I have full length sized each piece of brass and I can't firgure out how to get the neck length measurement to the correct measurement. I am using rcbs dies.
 
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is it a loaded round or dummy round that's sticking in your chamber, or an empty resized case that is sticking?
 
As previously said, your die may not be screwed in far enough. Do you have a case gauge? I'd consider these essential reloading tools.
 
Pr589 said:
As previously said, your die may not be screwed in far enough. Do you have a case gauge? I'd consider these essential reloading tools.
Click to expand...

That would be my bet you can get them at Brownells h ttp://www.brownells.com/reloading/measuring-tools/case-gauges-headspace-tools/wilson-case-gauge-prod33287.aspx
 
What type of dies are they also. For some lever actions you need to use SB dies even or at least FL dies. I had the same problem with my oringinal dies and had to go to the SB to get them to chamber. Your necks probbably are not the problem as your talking .05 of a inch there. Measure your bases instead and see what you get.
 
Try loading a sized case into your chamber, if it goes in fine then you bullet is jamming in the rifling. Although I don't think that's the problem as its happening in 2 rifles, but always a chance.
 
I am using a fl die. I have the die touching the shell holder at full ram extension. The base of the brass is under the spec'd size. I don't have a case gauge is on the list for next time I put together a order.
 
Have a look at a completed cartridge for a wee bulge at the shoulder. Caused by the die being down too far and the shoulder gets pushed into the case. Also look at the chamfer on the case mouth.
 
98ssuck said:
I am using a fl die. I have the die touching the shell holder at full ram extension. The base of the brass is under the spec'd size. I don't have a case gauge is on the list for next time I put together a order.
Click to expand...

Read the instructions for the die. The RCBS FL sizing die requires you to screw the die in until it touches the shell holder at full extension and, then lower the ram a bit and turn the die another 1/8 to 1/4 turnj. I just read that right out of the instructions.

You haven't screwed the die in enough.
 
98ssuck said:
I am having some issues reloading. I am new to reloading but I think I have found my issue now I just need help with a solution. With .308 the bullets are not cambering properly and sticking out of the chamber about 1/16 of a inch. Measuring my brass I have found
Overall lengh 2.005"
Body lengh 1.560"
To top of shoulder 1.725

The top of the shoulder should be 1.675
I have full length sized each piece of brass and I can't firgure out how to get the neck length measurement to the correct measurement. I am using rcbs dies.
Click to expand...

Was the brass that doesn't chamber fired in another rifle? If so, there's a chance that you'll never get the brass to fit in your chambers even with having the fl dies set to cam over.

I've had it happen with a 30-06. I tried to resize brass that was once-fired in another rifle. No way would they size down to fit my chamber. I tried with two different fl dies but no joy. I tossed the once-fired stuff. Bought new brass that chambered fine even after multiple reloadings.
 
Some great advice here to follow. A case headspace gauge would show you whats going on here. If you had one you could measure a fired case and the one that you have full length sized. Depending on your accuracy or reliability requirements you should have at least a few thousands clearance (0.002"). Is this the first time you have attempted reloading with these dies? I ask you this because i have had issues with dies not sizing the case enough to fit the camber before(no matter how far you screw it in) Once the dies contacts firmly against the shellholder when you run your press, tightening it even more will continue to get the same result. In my case it was lee full length dies and i sent them back with a few fired cases and they milled off some of the bottom edge of the die so it would work for me. That was with 22-250. Just recently i had the same issue when i started loading 308. Sized brass would fit in one gun but not the other, i found that fired brass from the tight chambered gun would not move using case headspace gauge when ran through the die. This time i decided to go with redding dies and this worked for me. If any of your buddies own the same caliber that you could try a few of your sized brass in it may narrow it down your problem as well.
 
http://www.chuckhawks.com/adjust_reloading_dies.htm

Here is how to seat a bullet into the case without crimping. First, place a prepared case (a case that has been resized, re-primed and contains the proper amount of powder) into the shell holder and run it to the top of the press stroke. Second, screw the bullet seating die into the press until you feel it touch the case. Third, back the die off one turn and set the large lock ring. Now there is a proper gap between the shell holder and the die.

The next procedure is adjusting the seater plug inside the die so that it seats the bullet to the proper depth in the case. This depends on the particular bullet you are using, the length of your rifle's magazine (the reloaded cartridges must fit into the magazine), the length of your rifle's chamber throat (the bullet must not touch the rifling when chambered), and whether the reloaded cartridges are to be fired in more than one model of rifle (since these dimensions may differ). The safest procedure is to set the bullet to the cartridge overall length (COL) specified in your reloading manual. To do that will require a caliper to measure the length of the finished cartridge. If you don't have a caliper, I suggest that you purchase one wherever you buy reloading accessories. It is a handy thing to have.
 
HeavyTread said:
Read the instructions for the die. The RCBS FL sizing die requires you to screw the die in until it touches the shell holder at full extension and, then lower the ram a bit and turn the die another 1/8 to 1/4 turnj. I just read that right out of the instructions.

You haven't screwed the die in enough.
Click to expand...

This may be true for the "ROCKCHUCKER" press, but not true for many others. My Lee Classic Cast will not cam over, just the force required to hit the stops gets harder.
 
98ssuck said:
I am having some issues reloading. I am new to reloading but I think I have found my issue now I just need help with a solution. With .308 the bullets are not cambering properly and sticking out of the chamber about 1/16 of a inch. Measuring my brass I have found
Overall lengh 2.005"
Body lengh 1.560"
To top of shoulder 1.725

The top of the shoulder should be 1.675
I have full length sized each piece of brass and I can't firgure out how to get the neck length measurement to the correct measurement. I am using rcbs dies.
Click to expand...

If your FL sizing die is correctly adjusted, you might have to make the shell holder a bit thinner, others might suggest reducing the length of the die, but shell holders are less expensive if you screw up. Other options include a small base sizing die, or a Redding body die, but your RCBS FL die should work. If you blacken the neck and shoulder with a permanent market, you'll be able to see how much contact you're making.

nevanevan said:
This may be true for the "ROCKCHUCKER" press, but not true for many others. My Lee Classic Cast will not cam over, just the force required to hit the stops gets harder.
Click to expand...

In that case the die needs to be screwed in to refusal, then backed out a little at a time, until the ram tops out with moderate effort; just enough to ensure the contact between the shell holder and the ram is compressed, thus producing the same amount of travel into the die with each different case.
 
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