Ok guys, super frustrated and wanted to just throw this out there.....
I cannot get Hornady 6.5 creedmoor or .224 Valkarie dies to size my once fired brass to either SAAMI specs or even chamber specs. I've setup several sets of Hornady dies in the past in .223, .308, 9mm, 40SW, sig .357 etc... I've never had an issue finding the correct setting on the sizing dies. I use chamber gauges and then also chamber rounds to test my method when setting up. Anyway, I've recently started to shoot the above calibers, and accumulated enough brass that I ordered the Hornady Custom dies for 6.5 Creedmoor and .224 Valkarie. I know some may trash me for using Hornady, and maybe I'm learning a lesson. But I do have a budget that I can spend on my toys and Hornady dies have served me well in the past w/out any issues, great warranty(I broke spindles/etc.. and like dillon etc.. they just replace), and the rebate/bullets are a nice plus for this middle age'd frugal father of 4 . But..... These two latest dies sets have me questioning my sanity.
I can screw the damm dies down hit the shell plate on either my Hornady LNL AP or Lee Classic turret press; with appropriate shell plates selected, and then try to adjust down until a point at which it's getting uncomfortable for me to cam over the press any harder. I'm talking well over a 1/4 turn past cam over. Anyway, the .224 valkarie ALMOST gets to spec in the Lyman chamber gauge. I can chamber a round but it's gotta slam home the bcg; and obviously that is not acceptable. I called Hornady today and sent back my Valkarie die for them to inspect/fix etc....
I also have the 6.5 Creedmoor set. The dies acted very similar to the Valkarie die story mentioned above. I returned one set when I couldn't get a round to gauge/chamber and the replacement is even worse. Where the Valkarie would be out maybe 1-2 thousandths from flush, the 6.5 was 1-1.5 millimeters OVER. Like almost to the extractor groove. And again, this was with screwing the die down until I am camming the press over to my max comfort level. IMO even way more than I'd be comfortable running day to day. I'm sorry to ramble, but it's just hard to throw this down being so frustrated but I guess I need to ask?
Did I somehow get Alzhiemer's and forget how to setup a sizing die. I'll mention that I don't run the expander ball as I use a Sinclair mandrel now, and I have sized the cases for proper length. As far as i can recall, and watching videos etc... Screw the bastard down until about touching shell plate give or take, then keep working down until achieving desired results of proper case sizing and shoulder bump. Which makes me question my sanity as getting 3 off spec dies sets seems statistically impossible. But here I am. Having just setup my Hornady .308 setup a month ago which was smooth sailing. My 5.56/.223 barely touches the shell plate before rounds spec/chamber fine. The tech I spoke with on the phone didn't seem to indicate any concern with my methodology in setting up the sizing die, but then again, they probably talk to a 100 morons like me daily and just pass things along and grease wheels to keep people happy, I dunno!
Anyone who's read this diatribe I'm sorry. Just super frustrated. Need advise!
I cannot get Hornady 6.5 creedmoor or .224 Valkarie dies to size my once fired brass to either SAAMI specs or even chamber specs. I've setup several sets of Hornady dies in the past in .223, .308, 9mm, 40SW, sig .357 etc... I've never had an issue finding the correct setting on the sizing dies. I use chamber gauges and then also chamber rounds to test my method when setting up. Anyway, I've recently started to shoot the above calibers, and accumulated enough brass that I ordered the Hornady Custom dies for 6.5 Creedmoor and .224 Valkarie. I know some may trash me for using Hornady, and maybe I'm learning a lesson. But I do have a budget that I can spend on my toys and Hornady dies have served me well in the past w/out any issues, great warranty(I broke spindles/etc.. and like dillon etc.. they just replace), and the rebate/bullets are a nice plus for this middle age'd frugal father of 4 . But..... These two latest dies sets have me questioning my sanity.
I can screw the damm dies down hit the shell plate on either my Hornady LNL AP or Lee Classic turret press; with appropriate shell plates selected, and then try to adjust down until a point at which it's getting uncomfortable for me to cam over the press any harder. I'm talking well over a 1/4 turn past cam over. Anyway, the .224 valkarie ALMOST gets to spec in the Lyman chamber gauge. I can chamber a round but it's gotta slam home the bcg; and obviously that is not acceptable. I called Hornady today and sent back my Valkarie die for them to inspect/fix etc....
I also have the 6.5 Creedmoor set. The dies acted very similar to the Valkarie die story mentioned above. I returned one set when I couldn't get a round to gauge/chamber and the replacement is even worse. Where the Valkarie would be out maybe 1-2 thousandths from flush, the 6.5 was 1-1.5 millimeters OVER. Like almost to the extractor groove. And again, this was with screwing the die down until I am camming the press over to my max comfort level. IMO even way more than I'd be comfortable running day to day. I'm sorry to ramble, but it's just hard to throw this down being so frustrated but I guess I need to ask?
Did I somehow get Alzhiemer's and forget how to setup a sizing die. I'll mention that I don't run the expander ball as I use a Sinclair mandrel now, and I have sized the cases for proper length. As far as i can recall, and watching videos etc... Screw the bastard down until about touching shell plate give or take, then keep working down until achieving desired results of proper case sizing and shoulder bump. Which makes me question my sanity as getting 3 off spec dies sets seems statistically impossible. But here I am. Having just setup my Hornady .308 setup a month ago which was smooth sailing. My 5.56/.223 barely touches the shell plate before rounds spec/chamber fine. The tech I spoke with on the phone didn't seem to indicate any concern with my methodology in setting up the sizing die, but then again, they probably talk to a 100 morons like me daily and just pass things along and grease wheels to keep people happy, I dunno!
Anyone who's read this diatribe I'm sorry. Just super frustrated. Need advise!
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