Sizing dies

[PSOD]

Just getting into reloading and having some issues with case sizing (I think)

I made about 25 .223’s and decided to take a random sample of 5 for testing before I continued production. Of the 5 tests. One would not go into battery. The case was about 1/4 inch from seated and refused to move. I ended up having to take apart the rifle and pry the bolt carrier back with a screwdriver cause I couldn’t force it back just with the charging handle.

My question is about die setup.
When running my casings through the resizing die does it do the whole case or just the neck? Is there a way to adjust it? Was this something I should have caught prior to loading? And finally, do I just scrap the whole batch and start over?

 

[Creedmoor]

Just getting into reloading and having some issues with case sizing (I think)

I made about 25 .223’s and decided to take a random sample of 5 for testing before I continued production. Of the 5 tests. One would not go into battery. The case was about 1/4 inch from seated and refused to move. I ended up having to take apart the rifle and pry the bolt carrier back with a screwdriver cause I couldn’t force it back just with the charging handle.

My question is about die setup.
When running my casings through the resizing die does it do the whole case or just the neck? Is there a way to adjust it? Was this something I should have caught prior to loading? And finally, do I just scrap the whole batch and start over?

What companys sizing die are you using?
Edit, it looks like Lee dies.

Is the sizing die cranked down so the die is touching the shellholder and then cranked down about another 1/4 to 1/2 a turn more so the press cams over a bit with the handle all the way down?

#0 Order Lee Precision Modern Reloading 2 book.
#1 Order yourself a 223 case gauge for starters.
#2 Run your sizer die down father.

 

[cavallo]

Just getting into reloading and having some issues with case sizing (I think)

I made about 25 .223’s and decided to take a random sample of 5 for testing before I continued production. Of the 5 tests. One would not go into battery. The case was about 1/4 inch from seated and refused to move. I ended up having to take apart the rifle and pry the bolt carrier back with a screwdriver cause I couldn’t force it back just with the charging handle.

My question is about die setup.
When running my casings through the resizing die does it do the whole case or just the neck? Is there a way to adjust it? Was this something I should have caught prior to loading? And finally, do I just scrap the whole batch and start over?

Creedmoor has your answers. I don't reload rifle but Lee dies are made to be full-length resizing; they resize the whole case.

One of many options for gauging your loads is:

RIFLE CASE LENGTH/HEADSPACE GAUGES | Brownells

To achieve the highest degree of safety and accuracy, Lyman recommends that all bottleneck rifle cases be inspected after resizing to ensure that the proper headspace dimension is maintained. The best way to check this critical dimension is with a...

www.brownells.com

 

[PSOD]

What companys sizing die are you using?
Edit, it looks like Lee dies.

Is the sizing die cranked down so the die is touching the shellholder and then cranked down about another 1/4 to 1/2 a turn more so the press cams over a bit with the handle all the way down?

#0 Order Lee Precision Modern Reloading 2 book.
#1 Order yourself a 223 case gauge for starters.
#2 Run your sizer die down father.

I believe I have the die cranked down properly. I’m going to order a new set of dies I think cause I only have 2 and the set looks like there should be a 3rd. (All of my stuff is from an estate sale and I’m just trying to make sense of it.)

I’m also using Lyman 48th edition reloading handbook but I’m having some issues with powder cause most of the powder I got in the estate sale is 20+ years old and I’m not finding much if any reloading data available online

 

[red_zr24x4]

From the look of the dies in the pic, I think you have a neck sizing die. Usually Lee sizing die is also a de-priming die with a nut on top holding the pin.
My neck sizing die looks like the one in the back.

 

[Creedmoor]

From the look of the dies in the pic, I think you have a neck sizing die. Usually Lee sizing die is also a de-priming die with a nut on top holding the pin.
My neck sizing die looks like the one in the back.

A collet die?

 

[Creedmoor]

A collet die?

Yea, one would think it would have a primer stem in it????

OP take your sizer die apart and take a picture of it.

Edit, Reds right, its a collet neck sizer.
You need to find or buy a full length sizer die.

 

[bwframe]

The RCBS small based resizing die solved problems for me on 300BLK (same case as .223) a few years back. It was recommended on another forum specific to 300BLK.

Nothing wrong with Lee dies, but this one is a better full legnth sizer for .223/300BLK. Especially in semi-autos.

https://www.rcbs.com/dies-and-shell...--group-a---popular-rifle-cartridges/778.html

 

[red_zr24x4]

Lee Full length sizer on left, neck sizer on right

 

[Creedmoor]

The RCBS small based resizing die solved problems for me on 300BLK (same case as 5.56) a few years back. It was recommended on another forum specific to 300BLK.

https://www.rcbs.com/dies-and-shell...--group-a---popular-rifle-cartridges/778.html

I use Small base dies with any cartridge I load that I can get a small base die in.

Lee, Dillon and at least one other company only make Small base dies.

 

[Creedmoor]

The RCBS small based resizing die solved problems for me on 300BLK (same case as .223) a few years back. It was recommended on another forum specific to 300BLK.

Nothing wrong with Lee dies, but this one is a better full legnth sizer for .223/300BLK. Especially in semi-autos.

https://www.rcbs.com/dies-and-shell...--group-a---popular-rifle-cartridges/778.html

Are you aware that Lee dies in calibers that come in auto loading, lever and pump rifles are small base dies, Just like Dillons are.
Thats one of the reasons Lee advertises there dies will size cases that fit all.

 

[billybob44]

I believe I have the die cranked down properly. I’m going to order a new set of dies I think cause I only have 2 and the set looks like there should be a 3rd. (All of my stuff is from an estate sale and I’m just trying to make sense of it.)

I’m also using Lyman 48th edition reloading handbook but I’m having some issues with powder cause most of the powder I got in the estate sale is 20+ years old and I’m not finding much if any reloading data available online

"Lyman 48th edition reloading handbook"
^^^
In this-READ-READ-READ the case prep section.
A good case gauge is your FRIEND.

Three things that you must have:
FULL Length size die (I do NOT like Lee Dies!!==FLAME ON People)
GOOD case lube
STUCK CASE REMOVER==Trust me on this one!! HA.HA....Bill.

 

[Hookeye]

I may have some small base dies around someplace. Back to diggin in the garage i guess

 

[nucular]

"Lyman 48th edition reloading handbook"
^^^
In this-READ-READ-READ the case prep section.
A good case gauge is your FRIEND.

Three things that you must have:
FULL Length size die (I do NOT like Lee Dies!!==FLAME ON People)
GOOD case lube
STUCK CASE REMOVER==Trust me on this one!! HA.HA....Bill.

I have been pretty happy with all of my Lee dies. The only non-Lee die I have is a Lyman M die for neck expansion. With the rifle cartridges, lube and lube process are definitely the key regardless of die brand. I like the Sheridan case gages for rifle cartridges: