Thread: Resized brass bolt wont close

7mm08 rem brass , sauer 100
When i resize my brass everytime there is a few that just will not chamber properly
Measurements all appear ok
Brass trimmed to spec
Been fired 4 times at this stage
Doesnt seem to matter how hot the load was as some of the effected brass where starting loads
So at this stage nearly half of that particular batch of brass is useless
Any ideas
Thanks

Lube...too much or too little

Have you measured the headspace? Sounds like the shoulder needs to be bumped back a bit

Does it chamber okay before resizing?

Hi Muka.
The problem lies with your sizing or the way your sizing die is set up.

You normally get the results you are getting when you dont bump the shoulder back enough. Can you thread your sizing die any further down or is it allready making contact with the case holder?

I dont know never tried to chamber pre sizing.
How do you push the shoulder back further? i have the press set so the shell holder makes contact with the die when there is no brass in the holder.
Hornaday dies by the way

Set your dies up by making contact with the shell holder, as you have said, then lift your handle so they aren't in contact, and turn your die another 1/8-1/4 turn more. When you do this, as you work the handle to bring your shell holder back up to the die, you will find it has to "overcam" just a bit, and kinda locks there.

I have tried stuffing around with the sizing die today to no effect.

The cases may be too hard and not resizing properly.
Annealed the cases and size again, that should fix it.
Had the same issue with 243 brass and once annealed they were good as gold.

S&B brass? ive had this but only with S&B......... but more likely to be one of the suggestions above

Muka, if all else fails,ie the above advice produces no good result, I'd start by going back to the instructions that came with the die, and adjusting it very carefully as explained.

Then run the brass through again.

Secondly,



This is called a wilson case gauge.

It is cut to the same dimensions as the inside of a rifle chamber, and a very quick way to establish if your brass is out of spec.

I have found this to be a considerable help in checking my brass.

It lets you see at a glance if there's a problem, ie if the brass is too long or out of shape.

Its most commonly caused by a lack of shoulder bump. DO NOT just wind your die down to the shell holder. Take a piece of brass that is a little hard to close the bolt on. lube the inside of the neck as well as the case.Screw the sizing die in a little but no more than 1/16 of a turn. Size the case making sure you are giving it a full firm stroke, try to chamber it again. If the bolt is still firm to close repeat the process screwing the die in another 1/16 of turn. Keep going untill the bolt closes as it should. Size another of the cases that was hard to close the bolt on as a check then wind the die back out 1/16 and size a third case that is to long to check you are not bumping it to far.
It is possible that the die is at the long end of the spec and your chamber at the short end as you hit the shell holder before you get the bump you need, then its a matter of getting a few thou taken off the shell holder or the bottom of the die.

Originally Posted by jim160

The cases may be too hard and not resizing properly.
Annealed the cases and size again, that should fix it.
Had the same issue with 243 brass and once annealed they were good as gold.

Right on the money.Close your die to touching. Then incrementally adjust down. Get sweet spot pretty soon. Dont bounce you die when sizing.

Dumb question....but I assume you’re using FL die not a neck sizing die ?
A great way to shoulder bump brass is the Redding body dies. Cost $80? You set your usual die (NS or FL) to re-size without over working the brass, and set the body die to bump shoulder to suit your chamber. Usually only need to bump brass after 3-4 firings.
++++1 for annealing too.

Under closer inspection it appears that the rim at the bottom of the case has been bent when extracted.