• HideTV Updates Coming Monday

    HideTV will be down on Monday for updates. We'll let you all know as soon as it's back up and message @alexj-12 with any questions!

  • Win an RIX Storm S3 Thermal Imaging Scope!

    To enter, all you need to do is add an image of yourself at the range below! Subscribers get more entries, check out the plans below for a better chance of winning!

    Join the contest Subscribe

Headspace vs setting the shoulder back

Mainer

Very Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 29, 2019
135
79
If a case headspaces on its sholder, why is it advised to set the shoulder back when the case is resized? Would not a close as possible fit to chamber length be desired?
 
The shoulder bump is done to insure ease of chambering and consistency. Cases tend to grow and not all uniformly. The .001-.002 shoulder bump makes them uniform and allows smooth, consistent bolt closure. Some folks only bump the shoulder every 3-4 cycle. I do it every time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mainer
If a case headspaces on its sholder, why is it advised to set the shoulder back when the case is resized? Would not a close as possible fit to chamber length be desired?
Not if your gonna be out in the field with dust, mud and rain.

I’m lazy and often neck size only but I know it’s risks and am willing to accept them.
 
Consistency. There are some good discussions on this subject in the reloading section of this forum. I had this discussion with a friend of mine who has way more experience than me. His answer was just bump the shoulder back .001 -.002. It's worked for me.
 
Id say its reliability more than consistency though consistency is also a benefit. If its chamber sized what happens when a grain of sand gets in the chamber? Its now taking up space where there is none to spare.

I want my rounds to chamber reliably and not let a little dust jam it up.
 
I once had a very accurate M40 A1 clone. I loaded new Lapua brass and set dies up to simply touch but not move the shoulder via graphite method. I used .0015 neck tension. Loaded the brass 50 times. Load was mid range IMR 4064 with 175 grain SMK's. It was fine but I finally retired it.
Normally I do bump .002 on bolt guns.