Thread: Notes for New and Newish Hand Loaders from an Old Fudd

Greetings Once More,

Post 3 Sizing Die Adjustment, Sizing and Trouble Shooting.

Sizing Die Adjustment.
Full length sizing dies need to be adjusted so that excess head space is not created when sizing. Head space is the dimension between the bolt face and a datum point on the case shoulder. If adjusted to be hard down on the shell holder most dies will produce a case that is close to the minimum head space so the case will chamber in all rifles. Rifles are mostly chambered close to maximum head space. When a minimum head space cartridge is fired in a maximum head space chamber the case stretches. Over time a groove develops inside the case and eventually the case breaks in half about 5 mm up from the head, sometimes as early as the third or fourth firing. We talked about checking for incipient head separation last time however it it easy to prevent by correct die adjustment. Take the decapping stem out of your full length sizing die and screw it into your press until it is about two turns short of touching the shell holder. Take a deprimed case, preferably one that chambers a little tight, lube and size it. Clean the lube off and try the case in your rifle. It probably won't chamber at all. Don't panic. Turn the die down about 1/16 of a turn, size and try again. Repeat until the case almost chambers, now go slower until the case chambers with the slightest resistance. Lock the ring on your die and size a second case and try. You may have to make some more adjustment with the second case and may wish to adjust the die so the case just chambers freely. Your call. You have now adjusted your die to produce cases that match your chamber for head space. Congratulations. Go and have a cup of tea. When you come back don't forget to put your decapping stem back in the die and run the expander button through the necks of the cases you have sized. I also measure the gap between the die and shell holder with a feeler gauge and write it down in my notes for that cartridge. For my 6.5 x 55 the gap is 0.2 mm (.008 inches)! There are some fancy shell holders and measuring gizmo's that help with this process but I don't have any and you probably don't either so we will ignore them.
For the Lee Collet dies just follow the directions in the box and for traditional neck sizing dies adjust the die so that no more than 80% of the neck is sized. If the die touches the neck shoulder junction the shoulder can be bulged and the case won't chamber.

Sizing.
Once your dies are adjusted sizing can begin. Cases need to be lubed for sizing with traditional dies but not with the Lee Collet dies. Currently I am using the Hornady One Shot sizing wax and am unlikely to change to anything else. I just smooth it on with my fingers to the neck and body if full length sizing and neck only if neck sizing. You don't need much and your fingers will tell you if there is enough. Try not to get too much on the shoulder of the case to prevent lube dents. I used to use a lube pad but now think that my fingers and the die wax are a better option for me at least. Don't be tempted to skimp on case lubricant. The chap who sold me my first press recommended Raw Linseed Oil. This worked fine with the .303 but I stuck my first .308 case in the die. You don't want to go there believe me. I also lubricate the inside of the case necks with the merest trace of lube using a strip if Chux cloth wound around an old bore brush. Others use a dry lube for this so if you prefer dry lube feel free.
Run your lubricated cases onto the die slowly and if you encounter resistance back off a little and go again. Once sized clean the lube off the cases. I use a dry kitchen paper towel for this for the sizing wax. Other lubes have different recommendations. Read the instructions. As each case is sized and cleaned I place them neck down in the block again.

Trouble Shooting.
There are a couple of problems that you may encounter that are worth mentioning. Some belted cases will chamber tight, if at all, even with the die hard down on the shell holder. The cause is often traced to a tight spot just in front of the belt. The cause of this is a miss match between the cases and dies that leaves a small section of the case body unsized. There are special sizing things available to deal with this but there is an option. A friend had this problem years ago with his .308 Norma Mag (yes that is .308). .308 Norma mag cases were as rare as rocking horse shit at the time and half his would not chamber. I suggested using a .300 Win mag die less the decapping stem and running the cases into the die with the case sitting on top of the shell holder. The case was then knocked out with a rod from a Lee Loader. Worked a treat.
Some may also have problems with the Lee Collet dies not sizing necks enough to hold the projectile, often after a couple of loads. This is often traced the the case necks being too hard and needing to be annealed. We will cover case annealing another time.

Tomorrow more checks and priming.
Regards Grandpamac.