OK, part of this is my fault as I should have checked before I did the whole batch of twice fired brass but I did not thinking the setup was going to change spec that much.
To backup a bit, I have a resizing setup using a Lee Classic Cast Breech Lock Single Stage Press setup with Lee Quick Change Busing with Die Lock Rings and Redding Type S Bushing Full Length Sizer Die for 308 Winchester. I had previously adjusted the die so that when the case is FLR and placed into the chamber of my AR-10, the bolt (off the BCG and without extractor or ejector) would just fit into the chamber and turn smoothly. So my headspace is basically perfect. I put registration marks on the die and locking rings so that I would know if thereare any accidental changes made, it would be obvious. The lock ring is locked tight and the die does not move. When I put the prepared brass on a headspace gage, the top of the case was sitting almost even across the top of the maximum headspace level. I checked 10 or more of the cases prepared this way and they consistently sit at this level, so the method was very reproducible.
I prepared about 50 cases this way and fired them the last week and things went well. So I decided to reuse the cases and prep them the same way using the above press and die. The die had been taken off the press in the mean time since I was preparing some 223 brass but it went back into the press with no problem. The die is still locked tight in the rings and all the registration marks remained aligned.
I prepared 40 pieces of now twice fired brass and then decided to check headspace afterwards with the gauge just in case. What I found is that the top of the case now sits almost at the bottom at what would be minimum headspace level – WHAT? I checked 10 pieces of the newly resized brass and they are all now at the lower level. I then checked 10 pieces of brass from the previous prep which I had not fired and they still sit at the top i.e. max headspace level. Checked the press and die and rings and everything are still tight. So what gives? I would imagine that the press/die/ring should be able to keep the adjustments but clearly they don’t.
Has anyone seen this and does this mean that I have to adjust the die every time I take it off? Please help since I am not quite sure what is happening…….
To backup a bit, I have a resizing setup using a Lee Classic Cast Breech Lock Single Stage Press setup with Lee Quick Change Busing with Die Lock Rings and Redding Type S Bushing Full Length Sizer Die for 308 Winchester. I had previously adjusted the die so that when the case is FLR and placed into the chamber of my AR-10, the bolt (off the BCG and without extractor or ejector) would just fit into the chamber and turn smoothly. So my headspace is basically perfect. I put registration marks on the die and locking rings so that I would know if thereare any accidental changes made, it would be obvious. The lock ring is locked tight and the die does not move. When I put the prepared brass on a headspace gage, the top of the case was sitting almost even across the top of the maximum headspace level. I checked 10 or more of the cases prepared this way and they consistently sit at this level, so the method was very reproducible.
I prepared about 50 cases this way and fired them the last week and things went well. So I decided to reuse the cases and prep them the same way using the above press and die. The die had been taken off the press in the mean time since I was preparing some 223 brass but it went back into the press with no problem. The die is still locked tight in the rings and all the registration marks remained aligned.
I prepared 40 pieces of now twice fired brass and then decided to check headspace afterwards with the gauge just in case. What I found is that the top of the case now sits almost at the bottom at what would be minimum headspace level – WHAT? I checked 10 pieces of the newly resized brass and they are all now at the lower level. I then checked 10 pieces of brass from the previous prep which I had not fired and they still sit at the top i.e. max headspace level. Checked the press and die and rings and everything are still tight. So what gives? I would imagine that the press/die/ring should be able to keep the adjustments but clearly they don’t.
Has anyone seen this and does this mean that I have to adjust the die every time I take it off? Please help since I am not quite sure what is happening…….
