Thread: Resizing inconsistency - Am I missing something

Originally Posted by Hg1990

Reloading for 6.5 Creedmoor using Redding Match grade Bushing Die and Redding Press

Once fired Hornady brass all measuring 1.561” on my digital calipers. Have set up the full length die to bump shoulder back .002” with a .290 bushing. All case necks are measuring exactly as they should and most cases are coming out at 1.5575-1.559” but I’m getting random cases at 1.555-1.556”??

Process is to lube cases, resize in press then rotate 180deg then press again. I’m measuring each case as I’m a bit obsessive ��

Have kept those cases that are over sizing aside but I’d like to know if anyone else gets this inconsistency? Is it normal or is there something I’m missing?

I have had a few beers so hopefully this makes sense!

As some have said I find it best to always measure head space using shoulder comparator measurement not OA

To do this properly you need to discover your 'feel' head space and your 'no feel' head space. The difference between these two lengths should be exactly 1 thou.

I always set up my FL dies to bump the shoulder 2thou past my 'no feel' head space. This allows for a bit of dirt/water and shit to enter the chamber and not over chooch the cartridge.

Ultimately it's like seating bullets, it's very hard to get them exactly consistent due to the variation in brass tension/play in press etc which is why we seat them over length, measure them and then adjust a micro seater die accordingly to achieve this consistency.

A thou or two on a headspace measurement isn't the end of the world at all providing that it's under your 'feel head space'.

Bullet seating depth is much more important to get exact IMO especially if you are seating to 'just touch'

I wouldn't bother sizing them, rotating them and resizing them again. I very much doubt that you would notice any difference on paper from doing this.