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Posted: 3/19/2012 3:35:37 PM EDT
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I just started resizing some .223 brass with a rcbs sb die. I measured the once fired brass (in my ar) with a Hornady headspace gauge. I started with FC brass, and bumped the shoulder back 0.002". All is well.
I resized some RP brass (not shot in my ar), and it didn't bump the shoulder at all. On some of them, the headspace actually grew? I re-setup my die, so now the RP sizes ok (-0.002) but the FC is bumping the shoulder back more than I'd like to see. So, my question is: should I have to queak the die when changing headstamps? I assumed that if I set the die to size to 1.457 headspace length for the FC brass, it should size to that dimension for all brass, regardless of headstamp. I'm sure I'm making this too hard, but it's frustrating me to the end. 
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Are you reloading for precision? Sounds like it if you are concerned that much about exact shoulder setback and headspacing. If so, then yes you need to sort by headstamp as the base and webbing is different for each brand and will effect the die setup.
Are you just plinking with an AR? Then who cares, set the die all the way down and size everything the same. |
There's very few head stamps in 223/556 land that are different enough to warrant treating them special, unless you are just going for all out match level accuracy. In terms of re-sizing, you can measure all you want.. but dont forget an important step as others including myself have: simply make sure the brass with no bullet, primer etc, drops into your rifle chamber cleanly, the bolt closes ok, and then when you eject it by hand make sure it doesn't snag.... do this a few pieces of brass in, not after 500.... 
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-0.00137037Avg
0.00118964StDev Here are results of 28 pieces of 1X LC '08 that I ran through my RCBS SB Sizer. Number is deviation from SAAMI / ANSI standard for cartridge headspace. So if the population was a normal distribution, the 99% of population covered, tolerance would be + /- .0036. |
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Quoted:
Are you reloading for precision? Sounds like it if you are concerned that much about exact shoulder setback and headspacing. If so, then yes you need to sort by headstamp as the base and webbing is different for each brand and will effect the die setup. Are you just plinking with an AR? Then who cares, set the die all the way down and size everything the same. Naw, just plinking. But since it's my first time dealing with rifle cartridges- I'm trying to be on the safe side of things. |
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The answer is, "Yes, you have to adjust for different makes of brass".
Slightly different metallurgy, dimensions, and annealed state across makes affects sizing. You'll find the shoulders of RP brass to be very soft, LC, Winchester, Lapua, and WCC are relatively hard. Just gotta suck it up and adjust the equipment to produce the results you want. |
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Quoted:
The answer is, "Yes, you have to adjust for different makes of brass". Slightly different metallurgy, dimensions, and annealed state across makes affects sizing. You'll find the shoulders of RP brass to be very soft, LC, Winchester, Lapua, and WCC are relatively hard. Just gotta suck it up and adjust the equipment to produce the results you want. I just want to suck it up once, and make every sizing experience the same. 
I know you guys get tired of answering these questions, but I really appreciate the answers y'all provide.
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Quoted:
Are you reloading for precision? Sounds like it if you are concerned that much about exact shoulder setback and headspacing. If so, then yes you need to sort by headstamp as the base and webbing is different for each brand and will effect the die setup. Are you just plinking with an AR? Then who cares, set the die all the way down and size everything the same. roger that |
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IMO if the brass wasn't fired in your rifle full length size to saami spec then every time after use your "bump" die that is set to your rifles chamber then see how consistent your bumping goes.
I always FL size any brass that wasn't shot in the gun im loading for. then ill do all my normal sizing for X gun. |
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Quoted: Quoted: The answer is, "Yes, you have to adjust for different makes of brass". Slightly different metallurgy, dimensions, and annealed state across makes affects sizing. You'll find the shoulders of RP brass to be very soft, LC, Winchester, Lapua, and WCC are relatively hard. Just gotta suck it up and adjust the equipment to produce the results you want. I just want to suck it up once, and make every sizing experience the same. I know you guys get tired of answering these questions, but I really appreciate the answers y'all provide.If you want "one size fits all" then you will have to measure all the different cases, find the headstamp that needs the most sizing and keep your die adjusted for that. Myself, I check sizing die and adjust for every batch (headstamp).
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| Personally, I set my sizing die to match a shot (fire formed) case from my rifle. Longer shoulders will be resized and shorter will be fire formed when they are shot. As long as you are not deviating too far from factory ammo, your good. I am getting exceptional case life this way. Some of my cases have been fired 10 times and they have no signs of fatigue. |
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