I am reloading 308 using a Redding FL bushing die set along with the competition shell holder set to get better control over headspacing. The directions say to use the .010 shell holder first, raise the ram to the top and then screw the die in until it makes firm contact with the shell holder.It then says to work your way through the shell holders until you get a case that will chamber freely. I have used all 5 of the shell holders ranging from .002 to .010 and the shoulder is still not pushing back, it remains the same. I read another post that said there was a problem sometimes with the expander ball pulling the headspace out. I removed the expander ball and I am still having the same problem. Does anyone know what the problem could be?
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Problem with Redding competition shell holders
- Thread starter apis
- Start date
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
Try screwing the die farther into the press. It's necessary to take all of the slack out of the linkage, under pressure, for the shell holder to seat properly.
Try screwing the die farther into the press. It's necessary to take all of the slack out of the linkage, under pressure, for the shell holder to seat properly.
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
Win69 is right; forget the directions on this part, they will most often produce the results you got.
Using the .002" holder, run the die down until it touches the shell-holder and then lower the ram and give the die another 1/8 to 1/4 turn down.
Now you can switch to the .010" and proceed as usual with finding the correct holder for you situation.
Win69 is right; forget the directions on this part, they will most often produce the results you got.
Using the .002" holder, run the die down until it touches the shell-holder and then lower the ram and give the die another 1/8 to 1/4 turn down.
Now you can switch to the .010" and proceed as usual with finding the correct holder for you situation.
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
Sounds like you have a chamber reamed to minimum Saami dimensions. If you're properly lubed and have the expander removed then there isn't much else. Do you measure your fired casings for shoulder location? with a RCBS or a Hornady tool, I use the hornady tool. Sinclair makes a new one too that looks like an improvement on the Hornady/stony point type.
I get the same thing with my .260 FL S type dies and the competition shell holder set. My smith put my chamber at minimum. Normally I don't set my dies for cam over but I had to with this set up. Not a hard cam over but just enough to feel it.
Sounds like you have a chamber reamed to minimum Saami dimensions. If you're properly lubed and have the expander removed then there isn't much else. Do you measure your fired casings for shoulder location? with a RCBS or a Hornady tool, I use the hornady tool. Sinclair makes a new one too that looks like an improvement on the Hornady/stony point type.
I get the same thing with my .260 FL S type dies and the competition shell holder set. My smith put my chamber at minimum. Normally I don't set my dies for cam over but I had to with this set up. Not a hard cam over but just enough to feel it.
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
You probably will need to use a small-base sizing die. I have loaded for several .308s chambered with a 95 Palma reamer and had to use a small-base die to bump the shoulder back.
You probably will need to use a small-base sizing die. I have loaded for several .308s chambered with a 95 Palma reamer and had to use a small-base die to bump the shoulder back.
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
What Short Round said is very correct. First measure a fired case and see if your case is getting set back at all.
My chamber is very tight but long so I use a small base sizing die but that does not affect the shoulder bump; that's only for tighter body and base dimensions.
What Short Round said is very correct. First measure a fired case and see if your case is getting set back at all.
My chamber is very tight but long so I use a small base sizing die but that does not affect the shoulder bump; that's only for tighter body and base dimensions.
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
Well, don't know why, but using the small base body die will allow me to bump the shoulder back on my .308; however, if I use the standard die, I can't. I guess in my case, it does affect shoulder bump.
Well, don't know why, but using the small base body die will allow me to bump the shoulder back on my .308; however, if I use the standard die, I can't. I guess in my case, it does affect shoulder bump.
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Short Round</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like you have a chamber reamed to minimum Saami dimensions. If you're properly lubed and have the expander removed then there isn't much else. Do you measure your fired casings for shoulder location? with a RCBS or a Hornady tool, I use the hornady tool. Sinclair makes a new one too that looks like an improvement on the Hornady/stony point type.
I get the same thing with my .260 FL S type dies and the competition shell holder set. My smith put my chamber at minimum. Normally I don't set my dies for cam over but I had to with this set up. Not a hard cam over but just enough to feel it. </div></div>
Yes I do use the Hornady/Stoney Point tool. The rifle I am using is a 700 rebarreled by GAP so Iam sure the chamber is close to minimum. I will try what you suggest, I bet that is exactly what it is. Thank you.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Short Round</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like you have a chamber reamed to minimum Saami dimensions. If you're properly lubed and have the expander removed then there isn't much else. Do you measure your fired casings for shoulder location? with a RCBS or a Hornady tool, I use the hornady tool. Sinclair makes a new one too that looks like an improvement on the Hornady/stony point type.
I get the same thing with my .260 FL S type dies and the competition shell holder set. My smith put my chamber at minimum. Normally I don't set my dies for cam over but I had to with this set up. Not a hard cam over but just enough to feel it. </div></div>
Yes I do use the Hornady/Stoney Point tool. The rifle I am using is a 700 rebarreled by GAP so Iam sure the chamber is close to minimum. I will try what you suggest, I bet that is exactly what it is. Thank you.
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: beekeeper77</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Short Round</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like you have a chamber reamed to minimum Saami dimensions. If you're properly lubed and have the expander removed then there isn't much else. Do you measure your fired casings for shoulder location? with a RCBS or a Hornady tool, I use the hornady tool. Sinclair makes a new one too that looks like an improvement on the Hornady/stony point type.
I get the same thing with my .260 FL S type dies and the competition shell holder set. My smith put my chamber at minimum. Normally I don't set my dies for cam over but I had to with this set up. Not a hard cam over but just enough to feel it. </div></div>
Yes I do use the Hornady/Stoney Point tool. The rifle I am using is a 700 rebarreled by GAP so Iam sure the chamber is close to minimum. I will try what you suggest, I bet that is exactly what it is. Thank you. </div></div>
I did this and it did set the headspace properly. Will over caming damage the die or shell holder? The over cam is slight.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: beekeeper77</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Short Round</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like you have a chamber reamed to minimum Saami dimensions. If you're properly lubed and have the expander removed then there isn't much else. Do you measure your fired casings for shoulder location? with a RCBS or a Hornady tool, I use the hornady tool. Sinclair makes a new one too that looks like an improvement on the Hornady/stony point type.
I get the same thing with my .260 FL S type dies and the competition shell holder set. My smith put my chamber at minimum. Normally I don't set my dies for cam over but I had to with this set up. Not a hard cam over but just enough to feel it. </div></div>
Yes I do use the Hornady/Stoney Point tool. The rifle I am using is a 700 rebarreled by GAP so Iam sure the chamber is close to minimum. I will try what you suggest, I bet that is exactly what it is. Thank you. </div></div>
I did this and it did set the headspace properly. Will over caming damage the die or shell holder? The over cam is slight.
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
Severe cam-over can break your press. It is only necessary to seat the shell holder firmly against the base of the die. Undue stress accomplishes nothing - the die won't compress.
Did the +0.002" shell holder do the job, or did you use a standard shell holder?
Severe cam-over can break your press. It is only necessary to seat the shell holder firmly against the base of the die. Undue stress accomplishes nothing - the die won't compress.
Did the +0.002" shell holder do the job, or did you use a standard shell holder?
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Winchester 69</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Severe cam-over can break your press. It is only necessary to seat the shell holder firmly against the base of the die. Undue stress accomplishes nothing - the die won't compress.
Did the +0.002" shell holder do the job, or did you use a standard shell holder? </div></div>
The +.002 shell holder did the job.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Winchester 69</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Severe cam-over can break your press. It is only necessary to seat the shell holder firmly against the base of the die. Undue stress accomplishes nothing - the die won't compress.
Did the +0.002" shell holder do the job, or did you use a standard shell holder? </div></div>
The +.002 shell holder did the job.
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: matchking</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, don't know why, but using the small base body die will allow me to bump the shoulder back on my .308; however, if I use the standard die, I can't. I guess in my case, it does affect shoulder bump. </div></div>
I don't want to start a side argument but my understanding of a small base die is simply that it has tighter dimensions towards the base of the case for better feeding and extraction in tight chambers or some semis. However, if you think the S/B die allowed you to bump the shoulder, that's good too.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: matchking</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, don't know why, but using the small base body die will allow me to bump the shoulder back on my .308; however, if I use the standard die, I can't. I guess in my case, it does affect shoulder bump. </div></div>
I don't want to start a side argument but my understanding of a small base die is simply that it has tighter dimensions towards the base of the case for better feeding and extraction in tight chambers or some semis. However, if you think the S/B die allowed you to bump the shoulder, that's good too.
Re: Problem with Redding competition shell holders
Redding says not to cam over on some of their die sets and others the set up instructions say to.
I would use the minimum amount of cam over necessary. Anymore than removing the slight amount of slop in the shellholder fit and linkages and you are just straining the press needlessly. A good way to wear out link pins.
ETA- barely perceptable cam over I believe is what you want.
Redding says not to cam over on some of their die sets and others the set up instructions say to.
I would use the minimum amount of cam over necessary. Anymore than removing the slight amount of slop in the shellholder fit and linkages and you are just straining the press needlessly. A good way to wear out link pins.
ETA- barely perceptable cam over I believe is what you want.
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