Hey guys. I have been reloading for a couple months and have the loading side down pretty darn good. Now my question is when resizing brass how do I know where to set the sizing die? I am loading for 223 and 22-250 right now with others to come. And I am using a Rockcrusher press with RCBS dies. Thanks a million!!!
Setting sizing die?
- Thread starter Sqeak'em
- Start date
Furhunter
New member
I would let your fired brass and your rifle tell you where/how to set up the die. In other words, I would set the die to just size the neck of the brass and bump the shoulder enough to feel a very slight resistance on the bolt handle when closing it on that piece of brass. That way you have resized the neck and maybe bumped the shoulder just enough to make it a perfect fit back in the chamber after being resized. By not oversizing your brass it will last much longer.
CatShooter
New member
Originally Posted By: Sqeak'emHey guys. I have been reloading for a couple months and have the loading side down pretty darn good. Now my question is when resizing brass how do I know where to set the sizing die? I am loading for 223 and 22-250 right now with others to come. And I am using a Rockcrusher press with RCBS dies. Thanks a million!!!
The phrases:
"I have been reloading for a couple months and have the loading side down pretty darn good."...
and,
"... when resizing brass how do I know where to set the sizing die? "
Do not fit in the same post.
I am VERY envious of your Rockcrusher press - you have some very deep pockets, Dude.
http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/50-bmg/RC000
.
The phrases:
"I have been reloading for a couple months and have the loading side down pretty darn good."...
and,
"... when resizing brass how do I know where to set the sizing die? "
Do not fit in the same post.
I am VERY envious of your Rockcrusher press - you have some very deep pockets, Dude.
http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/50-bmg/RC000
.
jasent
New member
Originally Posted By: FurhunterI would let your fired brass and your rifle tell you where/how to set up the die. In other words, I would set the die to just size the neck of the brass and bump the shoulder enough to feel a very slight resistance on the bolt handle when closing it on that piece of brass. That way you have resized the neck and maybe bumped the shoulder just enough to make it a perfect fit back in the chamber after being resized. By not oversizing your brass it will last much longer.
+1 just how I do mine,for the bolt guns any way.
Rock crusher....holy ship
+1 just how I do mine,for the bolt guns any way.
Rock crusher....holy ship
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mander
New member
There are several products that lt you measure how to set your resizing die, this is one of tem
http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-eq...-prod35265.aspx
http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-eq...-prod35265.aspx
CatShooter
New member
Originally Posted By: manderThere are several products that lt you measure how to set your resizing die, this is one of tem
http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-eq...-prod35265.aspx
"Sinclair Bump Gage Inserts are used to measure the amount of shoulder bump when setting up full length sizing dies. Our Bump Gages install in either of our comparator bodies and are machined to fit particular shoulder angles of cartridges. Rather than measuring to the datum line, these gages indicate off of the shoulder of the case to get a better, more easily assessable measurement of how much you are actually sizing your cases. We usually recommend between .001" to .002" bump for bolt action rifles"
You're kidding, right??
He is a beginning reloader and you want him to buy gauges and comparators and digital micrometers and determine datum lines...
Really... your be kidding, right?
.
http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-eq...-prod35265.aspx
"Sinclair Bump Gage Inserts are used to measure the amount of shoulder bump when setting up full length sizing dies. Our Bump Gages install in either of our comparator bodies and are machined to fit particular shoulder angles of cartridges. Rather than measuring to the datum line, these gages indicate off of the shoulder of the case to get a better, more easily assessable measurement of how much you are actually sizing your cases. We usually recommend between .001" to .002" bump for bolt action rifles"
You're kidding, right??
He is a beginning reloader and you want him to buy gauges and comparators and digital micrometers and determine datum lines...
Really... your be kidding, right?
.
Cast
New member
To start with, raise the ram (with shell holder installed) all the way up and screw in the FL resizing die until it touches the top of the ram and then about a quarter turn more so that the handle cams over slightly when you pull it down. That sets you up for FL sizing and will work fine.
From here, it's all about the rifle. If you want to custom size the brass for your fine bolt action rifle, you need to figure out what it wants. The simple way is just to slowly and carefully close the bolt on a piece of FL sized brass. The bolt should become more difficult to close just before it locks down if the brass is sized correctly for the rifle. The snug part is the brass being sized by the chamber, pushing the shoulder back as the bolt locks down. If your brass does not feel this way, you need to raise your die in the press by just a little, maybe a quarter turn, and lock it down with the locknut. Size a fresh piece and try the bolt feel test again. It it's too hard to close the bolt, turn the die back in just a bit to move the shoulder back and resize that brass again. Keep at it until you can feel the bolt settling in with just a bit of effort. Now, your die is custom built for that rifle, so label it so and buy another die if you have another gun to build custom brass for. If you're shooting semi auto, don't worry about this step, just FL sizing should be enough for now.
From here, it's all about the rifle. If you want to custom size the brass for your fine bolt action rifle, you need to figure out what it wants. The simple way is just to slowly and carefully close the bolt on a piece of FL sized brass. The bolt should become more difficult to close just before it locks down if the brass is sized correctly for the rifle. The snug part is the brass being sized by the chamber, pushing the shoulder back as the bolt locks down. If your brass does not feel this way, you need to raise your die in the press by just a little, maybe a quarter turn, and lock it down with the locknut. Size a fresh piece and try the bolt feel test again. It it's too hard to close the bolt, turn the die back in just a bit to move the shoulder back and resize that brass again. Keep at it until you can feel the bolt settling in with just a bit of effort. Now, your die is custom built for that rifle, so label it so and buy another die if you have another gun to build custom brass for. If you're shooting semi auto, don't worry about this step, just FL sizing should be enough for now.
CatShooter
New member
Originally Posted By: CastTo start with, raise the ram (with shell holder installed) all the way up and screw in the FL resizing die until it touches the top of the ram and then about a quarter turn more so that the handle cams over slightly when you pull it down. That sets you up for FL sizing and will work fine.
From here, it's all about the rifle. If you want to custom size the brass for your fine bolt action rifle, you need to figure out what it wants. The simple way is just to slowly and carefully close the bolt on a piece of FL sized brass. The bolt should become more difficult to close just before it locks down if the brass is sized correctly for the rifle. The snug part is the brass being sized by the chamber, pushing the shoulder back as the bolt locks down. If your brass does not feel this way, you need to raise your die in the press by just a little, maybe a quarter turn, and lock it down with the locknut. Size a fresh piece and try the bolt feel test again. It it's too hard to close the bolt, turn the die back in just a bit to move the shoulder back and resize that brass again. Keep at it until you can feel the bolt settling in with just a bit of effort. Now, your die is custom built for that rifle, so label it so and buy another die if you have another gun to build custom brass for. If you're shooting semi auto, don't worry about this step, just FL sizing should be enough for now.
It does NOT work this way!!
I once loaded a piece of 308 brass at the range 28 times with neck sizing, and the bolt NEVER got hard to close.
Give this new loader a break guys, and stop giving him bad instructions about stuff you don't know about...
.
From here, it's all about the rifle. If you want to custom size the brass for your fine bolt action rifle, you need to figure out what it wants. The simple way is just to slowly and carefully close the bolt on a piece of FL sized brass. The bolt should become more difficult to close just before it locks down if the brass is sized correctly for the rifle. The snug part is the brass being sized by the chamber, pushing the shoulder back as the bolt locks down. If your brass does not feel this way, you need to raise your die in the press by just a little, maybe a quarter turn, and lock it down with the locknut. Size a fresh piece and try the bolt feel test again. It it's too hard to close the bolt, turn the die back in just a bit to move the shoulder back and resize that brass again. Keep at it until you can feel the bolt settling in with just a bit of effort. Now, your die is custom built for that rifle, so label it so and buy another die if you have another gun to build custom brass for. If you're shooting semi auto, don't worry about this step, just FL sizing should be enough for now.
It does NOT work this way!!
I once loaded a piece of 308 brass at the range 28 times with neck sizing, and the bolt NEVER got hard to close.
Give this new loader a break guys, and stop giving him bad instructions about stuff you don't know about...
.
Cast
New member
CatShooter, just because you can't do it, don't condem it. It does work that way, so OP, I urge you to try it. Yes, I did learn it that way, and since then I have got me some new tools that make it easier, but that is the correct way for a rookie to get the gist by doing it old school.
Oh, and CS, the piece of 308 brass was still too short after you resized it 28 times huh? Try using a fresh piece of brass for the next 27 tries next time.
It DOES work that way.
Oh, and CS, the piece of 308 brass was still too short after you resized it 28 times huh? Try using a fresh piece of brass for the next 27 tries next time.
It DOES work that way.
Cast
New member
Originally Posted By: Sqeak'emCatshooter, Could you tell me the correct way? The 223 that I am loading for is an AR so has to be full length sized anyway. But I would like to know the best way to size for my 22-250 bolt gun.
You can't do this with an AR, and it really won't be necessary. You can't feel the resistance when the AR bolt closes. Just FL size and fire away. Some guys will tell you to use a small neck sizing die on an AR, but I have never needed it. Here is a Chuck Hawk written article explaining the basics.
You can't do this with an AR, and it really won't be necessary. You can't feel the resistance when the AR bolt closes. Just FL size and fire away. Some guys will tell you to use a small neck sizing die on an AR, but I have never needed it. Here is a Chuck Hawk written article explaining the basics.
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CatShooter
New member
Originally Posted By: Sqeak'emCatshooter, Could you tell me the correct way? The 223 that I am loading for is an AR so has to be full length sized anyway. But I would like to know the best way to size for my 22-250 bolt gun.
Sure Squeak'em.
Try one of your own fired 223 cases in your AR... see if it will chamber and the bolt go to fully lock, and then the bolt unlock and extract easily without drag.
IF so, set your FL die so it is one turn ABOVE the shell holder when the ram is up - size the neck, load a few and shoot a few - check these with the above chambering test and see if the cases are tight... at the point when your cases are a little tight to close, or resist the bolt opening, THEN you can adjust your FL die.
Screw it down a tiny bit (1/40th of a turn) and lube and run a case into the die and try it - keep doing this until the bolt unlocks smoothly, and there is no drag. Then lock the FL die in place.
Gas guns can be very hard on cases, and life for those cases can be short - this way, you will get the maximum case life (which might be important, the way politics and the scarcity of .223 brass is going).
For the 22-250, do the same as above, but you might not ever have to deal with tight cases.. but if you do, do exactly the same as you did for the 223.
.
Sure Squeak'em.
Try one of your own fired 223 cases in your AR... see if it will chamber and the bolt go to fully lock, and then the bolt unlock and extract easily without drag.
IF so, set your FL die so it is one turn ABOVE the shell holder when the ram is up - size the neck, load a few and shoot a few - check these with the above chambering test and see if the cases are tight... at the point when your cases are a little tight to close, or resist the bolt opening, THEN you can adjust your FL die.
Screw it down a tiny bit (1/40th of a turn) and lube and run a case into the die and try it - keep doing this until the bolt unlocks smoothly, and there is no drag. Then lock the FL die in place.
Gas guns can be very hard on cases, and life for those cases can be short - this way, you will get the maximum case life (which might be important, the way politics and the scarcity of .223 brass is going).
For the 22-250, do the same as above, but you might not ever have to deal with tight cases.. but if you do, do exactly the same as you did for the 223.
.
CatShooter
New member
Originally Posted By: CastCatShooter, just because you can't do it, don't condem it. It does work that way, so OP, I urge you to try it. Yes, I did learn it that way, and since then I have got me some new tools that make it easier, but that is the correct way for a rookie to get the gist by doing it old school.
Oh, and CS, the piece of 308 brass was still too short after you resized it 28 times huh? Try using a fresh piece of brass for the next 27 tries next time.
It DOES work that way.
Sonny, I am a federally licensed ammunition manufacturer and I do this stuff for a living, and I have been doing it since before you were born.
Plus I am a certified reloading instructor. You know very little about what you are talking about.
Oh, and CS, the piece of 308 brass was still too short after you resized it 28 times huh? Try using a fresh piece of brass for the next 27 tries next time.
It DOES work that way.
Sonny, I am a federally licensed ammunition manufacturer and I do this stuff for a living, and I have been doing it since before you were born.
Plus I am a certified reloading instructor. You know very little about what you are talking about.
CatShooter
New member
Originally Posted By: CastOriginally Posted By: Sqeak'emCatshooter, Could you tell me the correct way? The 223 that I am loading for is an AR so has to be full length sized anyway. But I would like to know the best way to size for my 22-250 bolt gun.
You can't do this with an AR, and it really won't be necessary. You can't feel the resistance when the AR bolt closes. Just FL size and fire away. Some guys will tell you to use a small neck sizing die on an AR, but I have never needed it. Here is a Chuck Hawk written article explaining the basics.
By the way... there is no such thing as a "small neck sizing die"
You can't become an expert by reading the internet...
.
You can't do this with an AR, and it really won't be necessary. You can't feel the resistance when the AR bolt closes. Just FL size and fire away. Some guys will tell you to use a small neck sizing die on an AR, but I have never needed it. Here is a Chuck Hawk written article explaining the basics.
By the way... there is no such thing as a "small neck sizing die"
You can't become an expert by reading the internet...
.
Okay. Thanks Catshooter! I love reloading and because of it I have been looking more in depth to what calibers I would like to mess around with next. I just always loaded with new brass before and never worried about the case preperation stuff until I got a tumbler for christmas. Now the brain doesnt shut off. Just wish there was an easier way to pick out a caliber for my next gun.
CatShooter
New member
Originally Posted By: Sqeak'emOkay. Thanks Catshooter! I love reloading and because of it I have been looking more in depth to what calibers I would like to mess around with next. I just always loaded with new brass before and never worried about the case preperation stuff until I got a tumbler for christmas. Now the brain doesnt shut off. Just wish there was an easier way to pick out a caliber for my next gun.
Any time you want - just send me a PM...
Meow
Any time you want - just send me a PM...
Meow
Cast
New member
Originally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: CastCatShooter, just because you can't do it, don't condem it. It does work that way, so OP, I urge you to try it. Yes, I did learn it that way, and since then I have got me some new tools that make it easier, but that is the correct way for a rookie to get the gist by doing it old school.
Oh, and CS, the piece of 308 brass was still too short after you resized it 28 times huh? Try using a fresh piece of brass for the next 27 tries next time.
It DOES work that way.
Sonny, I am a federally licensed ammunition manufacturer and I do this stuff for a living, and I have been doing it since before you were born.
Plus I am a certified reloading instructor. You know very little about what you are talking about.
Little bubba, you make me laugh. ANYBODY can get an FFL license and manufacture ammo, but that don't make them smarter, and I have never heard of your fine line of ammo.
AND, my socks are probably older than you.
One last thing. If you were to say that to my face, I would [beeep] slap you.
Oh, and CS, the piece of 308 brass was still too short after you resized it 28 times huh? Try using a fresh piece of brass for the next 27 tries next time.
It DOES work that way.
Sonny, I am a federally licensed ammunition manufacturer and I do this stuff for a living, and I have been doing it since before you were born.
Plus I am a certified reloading instructor. You know very little about what you are talking about.
Little bubba, you make me laugh. ANYBODY can get an FFL license and manufacture ammo, but that don't make them smarter, and I have never heard of your fine line of ammo.
AND, my socks are probably older than you.
One last thing. If you were to say that to my face, I would [beeep] slap you.
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huntsman22
New member
oooooooohh...... another innernet tuff guy. Time to un-wad the big boy panties. They seem to be cutting off your circulation....
Cast
New member
Originally Posted By: huntsman22oooooooohh...... another innernet tuff guy. Time to un-wad the big boy panties. They seem to be cutting off your circulation....
Not a tough guy at all, I haven't swung on anybody for many years. Some things are just over the line, and if CS is as good as he thinks, he would know that I know what I am talking about. Where did you come from anyhow? Did Cat Boy call you in for help with the tough guy?
Not a tough guy at all, I haven't swung on anybody for many years. Some things are just over the line, and if CS is as good as he thinks, he would know that I know what I am talking about. Where did you come from anyhow? Did Cat Boy call you in for help with the tough guy?
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