I dont get it; 1 stubborn case out of 100

[TheGerman]

Just ran 100 5.56 cases through a FL resizing die that I set up with a LE Wilson gauge in the 1st station on my Dillon 550 and then trimmed them on the 3rd with the trim die set up with the LE Wilson gauge.

The usual, tumbled them, lubed and started going at it. Got all 100 done with no issues and started grabbing one every now and then to measure the case length (dead on everytime) and drop it in the Wilson gauge.

For some reason, 1 just 1 of them, after checking maybe 30 because it was driving me nuts won't pass the Wilson gauge as the rim sticks out a bit past the gauge meaning the shoulder isn't sized enough. Drop it back in the FL sizing die, same thing, did it two more times, same thing.

Yet the other 99 are perfect and are all the same Remington brass.

Not the end of the world, but what the hell?

 

[Pinecone]

Try putting the rim into the gauge first. IOW, put the case in a bit backwards.

I have found a number of once fired cases, especially mil, to have burr on the rim that prevents the rim from dropping into the case gauge.

 

[TheGerman]

Try putting the rim into the gauge first. IOW, put the case in a bit backwards.

I have found a number of once fired cases, especially mil, to have burr on the rim that prevents the rim from dropping into the case gauge.

If I am understanding you right, I don't think thats possible. The LE Wilson gauge I am talking about is this one:

L. E. WILSON Inc.

 

[mtrmn]

If I am understanding you right, I don't think thats possible. The LE Wilson gauge I am talking about is this one:

L. E. WILSON Inc.

Just make sure the rim of the case will enter the mouth of the gage. He's not saying the whole case will go in backwards.....if it's a 5.56 it probably has been fired in an AR and sometimes the extractor distorts the rim enough it won't allow the case to drop all the way in the gage.

 

[Victor N TN]

Rub your finger nail around the case neck as well as the case rim. You'll feel something you can't see sometimes.

 

[Pinecone]

Yes, you only need to get the rim to go in. Try one of your "good" cases first. It is surprising how far it will go in.

But you are basically trying to "resize" the rim a bit.

 

[Frank]

How does the Wilson case guage compare to your actual chamber? How does a case fired in your gun fit in the guage?

 

[George63]

so throw the 1 in the scrap bin and have a beer - multiple solution

 

[Pinecone]

How does the Wilson case guage compare to your actual chamber? How does a case fired in your gun fit in the guage?

It depends on which rifle. Some almost fit, some don't come close.

Wilson Case Gauge is to SAAMI specs. So should chamber in ANY rifle.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

so throw the 1 in the scrap bin and have a beer - multiple solution

Absolutely...................it just happens that way once in a while and especially for .223/5.56. If it was .338 LM or .50 BMG then it might be worth the effort.

 

[bigedp51]

There are two reasons the case Will not fit in the Wilson case gauge.

1. A ding in the rim, this can be cured with fine files removing the defect.
2. The case was fired in a M249 machine gun which has a larger diameter chamber. The Wilson case gauge is made to "MINIMUM" SAAMI dimensions and these cases are too fat to fit in the Wilson gauge.

Any time you buy once fired military cartridge cases you should resize them once with a small base die to return them to minimum dimensions. The Lake City cases are made to higher standards and the base of the case is harder than .223 cases. When resized a cartridge case will try to spring back to its fired size and the small base die lets these cases know who's the boss.

The 5.56 case below is too fat to fit in the Wilson gauge, resizing again with a small base die fixed the problem.

NOTE: If these are Federal cases they are known for soft brass and early loose primer pockets, I was having a 50% failure rate with once fired Federal cases like below due to over sized primer pockets. Not only is the brass softer the flash hole web is thinner than military Lake City cases adding to the primer pocket stretching problem.

 

[bigedp51]

so throw the 1 in the scrap bin and have a beer - multiple solution

Absolutely...................it just happens that way once in a while and especially for .223/5.56. If it was .338 LM or .50 BMG then it might be worth the effort.

My M1 and AR15 rifles will ding the rims and it is a very simple process to lightly file and remove the ding and reuse the case. Your mother didn't cut your head off and throw it in the trash to get rid of a pimple on your face.

 

[lightman]

I'm just guessing that case was fired in something different. I'd just readjust the sizing die until it fits, and go from there. The other suggestions about burrs or deformed rims are also possible, and I'd check that first. Lightman