Headspacing Question

[David S]

Hi Hide members,

I've a question on cartridge headspacing: is it better to find the headspace and then resize the whole cartridge to .002" or .003" below that (as some have advised me) or to shoot the darned thing and then just reneck the cartridge without resizing unless and until I have trouble closing the bolt, at which time I should just resize in .001" increments to where it closes (as some others have advised)?

Please excuse me if I'm repeating old or stupid questions here: I've done several forum searches and found nothing, so now I come begging for informed advice.

Yours,

David

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Headspacing Question

I mirror Kevin Thomas from Lapua on here, just fl size your cases each time "..001", or what it takes to easily close your bolt.
In theory neck sizing is the cat's butt, but there's always going to be a few that never seem to comply, and it is always at the worst possible time.
And hammering your bolt closed on them only creates a burr on your bolt lugs, and it does nothing for accuracy.

 

[fw707]

Re: Headspacing Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I mirror Kevin Thomas from Lapua on here, just fl size your cases each time "..001", or what it takes to easily close your bolt.
</div></div>

That method has worked well for me on every rifle I've owned.

 

[buffybuster]

Re: Headspacing Question

A properly setup FL sizing die is what I use and recommend.

 

[David S]

Re: Headspacing Question

Thanks much, guys. That's the answer I needed.

Yours,

David

 

[CanSniper]

Re: Headspacing Question

Bump just enough to allow the bolt to close easily.
What I did on my new rifle is use the Redding comp shell holder set. http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-eq...-prod39926.aspx

Then FL sized only with the shell holder that provided least amount of sizing, which I believe was .010" holder. After 1 or 2 firings with this "loose" shell holder the cases start to become tight to chamber. At that point I just started to resize down one shell holder incriment at a time untill the case becomes easy to chamber again. Then that is the shell holder you will use from there on, and you will know that you are working your brass as little as possible while still obtaining ease of cycling.

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Headspacing Question

Here's what I do. I fire a piece of brass 3 times neck sizing only and then gauge it. That will tell me my headspace. Then I adjust my brass until I am bumped .001" back from that. 1 X fired brass might not be fully expanded, so you will end up giving yourself significantly more than .001".

In the end, though, your bolt will tell you if you are not sizing enough. The nice thing about F/L Sizing is that once you adjust the die, the problem is fixed permanently. With neck only sizing, you will get surprised again and again and again. And usually at the most inopportune moment possible.

 

[David S]

Re: Headspacing Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carter Mayfield</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's what I do. I fire a piece of brass 3 times neck sizing only and then gauge it. That will tell me my headspace. Then I adjust my brass until I am bumped .001" back from that. 1 X fired brass might not be fully expanded, so you will end up giving yourself significantly more than .001".

In the end, though, your bolt will tell you if you are not sizing enough. The nice thing about F/L Sizing is that once you adjust the die, the problem is fixed permanently. With neck only sizing, you will get surprised again and again and again. And usually at the most inopportune moment possible.</div></div>

Hi Carter,

That seems like good advice indeed--thanks much. I'm wondering, do you shoot and neck three times first just to make <span style="text-decoration: underline">sure</span> the cartridge is fully and properly formed? Is that the idea?

Oh, and thanks for the link to the Redding shell holders, CanSniper. I actually already have those, so I'll be happy to try them out.

Yours,

David

 

[JoeBUtah]

Re: Headspacing Question

Here's a link to a thread I started some time ago on the same subject.

A friend gave me a RCBS Precision Mic kit for Christmas and I've been checking cases. My once fired brass mics to the same size as my 5x fire brass and they all seem to chamber smoothly.