Full Length Resizing

[Cozmo]

Idiot question, but I need an answer anyway. I am full length resizing my Winchester 270 Win cases on a RCBS Rockchucker using RCBS full length sizing dies. I have used Imperial resizing lube on each case. I am just bumping the shoulder back. This is the second time I have resized these cases. I have neck sized them previously 2 times each.
Problem: I noticed, after 10 cases, that the shoulder or neck was dimpling or creasing on each case. Now I have stopped, not wanting to continue without knowing why this is occurring.
Question: What to do to resolve the problem? Is it a matter of cleaning the die as a vent hole has become clogged with extra sizing lube?

 

[Milo 2.5]

You have an excess buildup of lube in the die, clean it thoroughly, alcohol, or a solvent will work, get the shoulder area, it's not just the vent, then back off the amount of lube you are using. Your first few cases may need a little more to get die lubed some.

 

[918v]

No need for alcohol or solvents. Just run a q-tip in there to remove the excess lube. Take out the decapping rod first.

 

[mkollman74]

You have an excess buildup of lube in the die, clean it thoroughly, alcohol, or a solvent will work, get the shoulder area, it's not just the vent, then back off the amount of lube you are using. Your first few cases may need a little more to get die lubed some.

Exactly ^^^THIS^^^

 

[ubet]

Use Dillon spray resizing lube. It works 10x better than imperial

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[Milo 2.5]

Use Dillon spray resizing lube. It works 10x better than imperial

If you plan on continuing using imperial wax, only the bottom third of the case needs lube, no piece of brass has ever been stuck in a die because of lack of lube on the shoulder or neck.

 

[sandwarrior]

When you get 200 pieces of Lapua that have been fired through a semi-auto...for free... you need to lube the entire case. And NO, Dillon does NOT work better than Imperial. BTDT. They both use lanolin as their main ingredient. With Dillon you let it dry. With Imperial, you touch with a light dab and smear that. You need to fully coat oversized brass. I have had stuck cases because the neck/shoulder was not lubed enough.

I also take a nylon brush that has Imperial on it and run it down the neck. Not doing that will allow the expander ball to overstretch your cases on the way out. Giving you the impression you did not 'bump' the shoulder back far enough. After sizing, I take a q-tip and wipe out all the necks. Powder will stick to even a micro thin layer of lube. A wipe will clear that.

 

[Petrov]

trick with imperial wax is to get some of it on your hands to get a nice sheen going, now grab a handful of cases and roll them around in your hand, size grab a handfull more rinse and repeat.
Use a VERY small amount of imperial wax.

 

[lash]

When you get 200 pieces of Lapua that have been fired through a semi-auto...for free... you need to lube the entire case. And NO, Dillon does NOT work better than Imperial. BTDT. They both use lanolin as their main ingredient. With Dillon you let it dry. With Imperial, you touch with a light dab and smear that. You need to fully coat oversized brass. I have had stuck cases because the neck/shoulder was not lubed enough.

I also take a nylon brush that has Imperial on it and run it down the neck. Not doing that will allow the expander ball to overstretch your cases on the way out. Giving you the impression you did not 'bump' the shoulder back far enough. After sizing, I take a q-tip and wipe out all the necks. Powder will stick to even a micro thin layer of lube. A wipe will clear that.

^^^ This ^^^

 

[MtnCreek]

There's no friction pushing the shoulders back; no lube needed there.

 

[lash]

But like sandwarrior said, if you use an expander ball, which I do, you need to have the neck lubed inside and out or you will get inconsistent results at best. And bad results if you try to adjust for what is a stretching situation at the neck.

But to reiterate what else has been said when using Imperial sizing wax, use it very sparingly. And so that I'm not misunderstood, it is not necessary to lube the shoulder.

 

[sandwarrior]

There's no friction pushing the shoulders back; no lube needed there.

To clarify, I'm not talking about the angled part of the shoulder, I'm talking about the shoulder rim diameter.
That pertains to lubing the whole case.

As far as the expander ball causing issues, unlubricated it will pull on the neck as it's extracted. If nothing else than for consistency, I recommend lubing case necks. You are then able to control every case.

 

[Milo 2.5]

Sorry, when I give advice on sizing cases, I take for granted that some run an expander ball, I have not used one for 15 yrs.

 

[sandwarrior]

Sorry, when I give advice on sizing cases, I take for granted that some run an expander ball, I have not used one for 15 yrs.

I meant to respond to this when you posted, but got off on other tangents.

I learned to reload from my dad who knew the basics, but not advanced reloading or troubleshooting when it came to things not doing what they should. I found this stuff out some by trial and error and a lot from guys on here. Tres Mons had a great series on advanced reloading that is really worth the read and watch.

Like a lot of people, I can't absorb a ton of information at one time. Like that guy you and I were pinging with information about a month ago. When directed to try something, he pretty much just said, "OK, I'll give it up." NO! I laughed because I thought I could feel your eyes rolling from here. That's when I realized too, I've got to slow down and give new guys one piece of information at a time. And, of course, stick with them when they PM me questions. You're a good reloader and understand a lot. I'd love to stay in touch with you to see how you keep stuff so tight. I always find I miss something somewhere. A feeling I get too when I'm just neck sizing with S-dies. ...like I forgot something.

Anyhow, to the point here, not sure people understand how to give you all the information you need when asking advice. I've tried lubing the ball, and that didn't work. I've tried a few methods of lubing inside the neck and not all of them worked. Positive application and positive removal are the only ways I've found to get consistency in neck stretch when resizing with an expander ball. But, you never see that until you start hitting advanced reloading topics.

 

[demolitionman]

Listen to Milo.

Fwiw, I used to struggle with dimpling case shoulders. I went to using One Shot spray on sizing lube and have had excellent results with it. I have a dedicated case holder I use just for lubing and I'll spray 30 cases at a time. I'm never going back to imperial sizing wax nor using a lube pad again.

 

[Milo 2.5]

I meant to respond to this when you posted, but got off on other tangents.

I learned to reload from my dad who knew the basics, but not advanced reloading or troubleshooting when it came to things not doing what they should. I found this stuff out some by trial and error and a lot from guys on here. Tres Mons had a great series on advanced reloading that is really worth the read and watch.

Like a lot of people, I can't absorb a ton of information at one time. Like that guy you and I were pinging with information about a month ago. When directed to try something, he pretty much just said, "OK, I'll give it up." NO! I laughed because I thought I could feel your eyes rolling from here. That's when I realized too, I've got to slow down and give new guys one piece of information at a time. And, of course, stick with them when they PM me questions. You're a good reloader and understand a lot. I'd love to stay in touch with you to see how you keep stuff so tight. I always find I miss something somewhere. A feeling I get too when I'm just neck sizing with S-dies. ...like I forgot something.

Anyhow, to the point here, not sure people understand how to give you all the information you need when asking advice. I've tried lubing the ball, and that didn't work. I've tried a few methods of lubing inside the neck and not all of them worked. Positive application and positive removal are the only ways I've found to get consistency in neck stretch when resizing with an expander ball. But, you never see that until you start hitting advanced reloading topics.

Thanks sandwarrior, been doing it for 31 yrs, my knowledge comes from mistakes by myself. I am a great mentor, but not over the phone or on a forum, in person, hands on. I sometimes omit things and fail to print detailed advice.
Neck tension a big player, I gave up on measured tension for the most part yrs ago, yes I measure for a ball park, but opt for felt tension when seating and bush accordingly. I must admit I'm somewhat lost on the expander mandrel thing unless custom ground ones are used giving exact results. You read the praises and methods here, then read it explained on accurate shooter and 2 diff worlds, but again the desired results are diff too. Also lost on settling for 1/2moa accuracy with tight numbers, spend a half day more and know your miss is on you, lol

Edit: You pass out some sound advice also, I and I like the fact you fail to brag about what you've accomplished. A few others in here are great also.