308 Cases not resizing

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:11 am

Gents,

I haven't used my 308 rifle for the last few months as I have been learning my new FO rifle. I went to resize some Lapua Palma cases using my normal method which is:

screw FLS die down until it hits shellholder,
tightern lockring
lube cases,
resize cases.

Now for some reason it got very hard to resize cases and this method is usually very easy and only bumped the shoulder around 2 thou. I used a load of 46gr 2208, CCI 450 behind a 155.5gr Berger Fullbore

I have already lost one case and got it stuck in the die and I have no idea what happened. I cleaned the die after I got the stuck case out. Ive used a lot of case lube (Hornady One Shot) and still nothing.

Any help guys?

Cheers.

Barry Davies · Post by **Barry Davies** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:42 am

Screwing the die down until it hits the shell holder is not the way to set a die.
My guess is you are now crunching the cases down to a size where they do not want to go - so I'll bet it is hard to resize.
You need two gauges.
A headspace gauge to check and measure rifle headspace.
A case Headspace gauge to measure case headspace -- then set your dies to this gauge.

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:10 am

Barry,

This method is one I haven used for ages now with my Forster Die. It has provided minimal resizing and good case life. So that's why I don't understand why its not working anymore. I will start from scratch and reset my dies like I have set up on my 6mm but this method has worked very well and works with my 223 as well.

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:23 am

I just reset the die and it worked fine so I maybe just screwed it in a lil tight. I'm not sure. At any rate I'm gonna get a new die. The decamping rod for my Forster is broken and the expander ball won't fit on my 6x47L decapping rod so in going to see if I can get a redding Type S bushing die for 308.

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:27 am

Quick, your method is ok and easily checked using a hornady headspace gauge. They work just like the hornady bullet comparator except their referenced to the headspace datum on the shoulder of the case. I set the press to lightly cam over on contact with the shell holder.

I think the oneshot lube may be the problem especially if you dont shake the can enough on cold mornings when its at its most viscous.

I gave oneshot away sometime ago after sticking a couple of cases and now use imperial sizing wax. Just apply wax to fingers and lightly run the case thru fingers and you have a perfect film over the case. Cold mornings are no longer a problem as fingers warm the thin smear of wax nicely. I have not stuck a case yet using imperial sizing wax.

I wipe the cases clean of the wax smear with paper towel and its an easy task. One added bonus with imperial sizing wax is it goes a long way and works out cheaper than oneshot.

Ian

Barry Davies · Post by **Barry Davies** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:27 am

Shaun.
You need to be able to measure case headspace of the fired case as it comes out of your rifle. Rifle headspace for a 308 should be within the limits of 1.630"/1.634"
Most gunsmiths will aim for 1.630"
Having measured the fired case you can then adjust your die so that a slight shoulder bump will reduce the case headspace to 1.630"/1.6295"
Without a proper gauge it's just a poor guess where you rely entirely on "feel " of the bolt closing -- you do not know how much loose or how much tight the case is.

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:01 am

Barry,

I have an RCBS Precision Mic and know that I usually bump around 2 thou.

I will go through all this again when I can get a new die. Without that expander ball the neck measures around .326" whivh is way too small.

Barry Davies · Post by **Barry Davies** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 11:13 am

Shaun,
Do yourself a favour and purchase a Redding type S die with interchangeable neck sizing bush ( .336 and .335 )
Yep .326 is way too small and unnecessarily works the brass.

Post by **AlanF** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:05 pm

One thing that can happen when you use too much lube is that the case gets stuck and is held in (very strongly) by the air seal made by the lube. If you suspect this, unscrew the top off the die to release it.

Alan

SuperV · Post by **SuperV** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:13 pm

I too have had trouble with one shot. I know use cooking spray.

Paul Janzso · Post by **Paul Janzso** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 2:15 pm

I would shake the crap out of the one shot can, at least for 2 minutes before using it and when it has run out start using Imperial Sizing Die Wax.
I would also say there is nothing wrong with your dies, it is just the fact that you may not have shaken the one shot can well enough.
I have experienced sticky cases using one shot as well.
I now stick with sizing die wax. After I have resized my cases, I then tumble my cases clean.
Cheers
Paul

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 2:21 pm

Gents,

Thanks very much for the advice. I plan on getting a Type S for ASAP for my 308.

I didn't shake the can and it was cold that morning so that could have caused it I guess. I will get some of that sizing lube and try it out.

Cheers aye.

PS: I have 100x 6.5x47L cases here just waiting to be resized to 6mm, can I just run them thru my redding type S die like normal or a special method to neck down?

RAVEN · Post by **RAVEN** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 5:09 pm

I'm a bit old fasioned RCBS sizing lube waterbased never had an issue can't say the same for ONESHOT (not!)

Paul Janzso · Post by **Paul Janzso** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 7:01 pm

Yeah and your grays are giving away the "old fashioned" look Richie.
Cheers
Paul :shock:

Barry Davies · Post by **Barry Davies** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 7:22 pm

I'm a bit old fashioned ( and grey ) too Richard -- bit like the mozzie in the Mortein add.