308 Reloading issues

[sic65stang]

I have been reloading for about 4 years now and have just started to reload for 308. I am loading this for a bolt gun so I wanted to only neck size, however the Lee neck sizer I have would not bring the neck diameter in, only size it out. The first question is if there is a die that is specifically designed to size the outside diameter of the neck WITHOUT sizing the body or bumping the shoulder?

So because this wouldn't work for me I set up the FL die and went about sizing that way, however when I did this the shoulder grew 0.002, no matter the adjustment I did, I could not get the shoulder to bump to the original position. I am assuming this is because the body was resized, causing the case to essentially lengthen? With this in mind, how am I to FL size when it is required if the shoulder can not be bumped even back into spec?

Am I in need for a new die set?

Thanks for any help...

 

[Helmet]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

This is what I do, don't know if it's helpful.
I use a Wilson neck sizing die for the neck. It just tightens it to whatever bushing size you put in it. It cannot open the neck up more. I also use a Redding body die for the shoulder and body when it is needed.

 

[LawnMM]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

Use a redding neck die if you want to neck size. You don't have the die set right if it's not bumping the shoulder back. How are you measuring shoulder bump?

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

I use a lee collet die. Read the instructions. Screw it in until it touches shell holder.... Lower ram.... Screw one to two full turns and tighten your lock ring. Pretty simple. I would suggest measuring outside diameter of neck and making note of it.

 

[l115a3]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

Redding Competition Bushing Die will only Nk sizing your brass.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

I've got the seater comp die by redding. How do their bushing dies do?? How do you know which bushing to get?? Am new to the bushing type dies.

 

[jdgray]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

The Lee collet die squeezes around a pin, and the inside of the neck is the important place to size, not the outside. If your not getting enough neck tension, you can undersize the pin for more. Unless you turn your necks, or have a tight chamber, the outside measurement of the neck dont matter.

 

[sic65stang]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

It was not that I could not get consistent outside dimensions on the neck, but that I could not get neck tension to hold the bullet in the case. I am using the die in a LNL AP press. I messed around with it in my single stage press, and took the die apart and looked at it. It seems that I did not screw the die in enough, I did follow the direction, however it seemed to make the press cam over and lock in the up position. With fine tuning I realize now that there is a sleeve in the die that moves a bit as it hits the shell plate. I have got the neck sizing thing figured out now.

But what about the FL die making the brass grow? I am measuring the headspace with a Hornady headspace gauge, and the die makes the headspace grow 0.002. The bolt will close easily, but not as easily as I think it should. I did specifically try to make the press cam over with this die, and filed a bit off the bottom, still no luck getting it to bump the shoulder. Any ideas?

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

If you're just getting started and have a Lee Collet Die for neck sizing you've got a pretty good setup already. Just add a Redding Body die to your setup so you can bump the shoulders back slightly when the cases get too long close the bolt easily.

If you want to upgrade in the future, take a look at the Forster Shoulder Bump/Bushing Neck Size Die. Very flexible die as you can merely bump shoulders if you wish, as well as partial neck sizing. Add the expander ball if you aren't neck turning and then select a bushing that will result in only minimal expanding.

 

[jdgray]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sic65stang</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

But what about the FL die making the brass grow? I am measuring the headspace with a Hornady headspace gauge, and the die makes the headspace grow 0.002. The bolt will close easily, but not as easily as I think it should. I did specifically try to make the press cam over with this die, and filed a bit off the bottom, still no luck getting it to bump the shoulder. Any ideas? </div></div>

That is from the fl sizing die, squeezing the neck down in excess, then dragging a sizer ball through to size it. Thats why I went to a Redding body die then neck size with the Lee collet.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

Buy a Redding small base .308 Win. body die (it's about $33.00). It will F/L the case body and bump your shoulders back as far as you want and not touch the necks. You can then use you Lee collet N/O die for the necks.

I use a regular Redding .308 Win. body die and it sizes fine. I usually neck size four times then run the cases through the body die to F/L the body and lightly bump the shoulder.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> How do you know which bushing to get?? Am new to the bushing type dies. </div></div>

Tons of threads on this subject, here's one that will answer your question:


http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...757#Post3399757

 

[kenmack]

Re: 308 Reloading issues

Make sure you do this: Follow the die instructions for setup. Pull the handle home. Then put about 15 pounds of pressure on the handle (like the die instructions say). You should feel just a slight give when the neck closes 0.002". Sometimes you won't feel the neck shrink, but you'll come to recongize it most of the time with pratice. See if a bullet won't then slip into the neck. If it doesn't, try a little harder. If it still doesn't, check your set up and try again.