dcmdon
NES Member
Hi all. I've got something that concerns me. I'm not actually sure its a problem yet, but am interested in people's thoughts.
I've been reloading pistols for years and am pretty familiar with it. But I've just started reloading bottle necked cartridges.
The equipment I'm using at this point is:
rcbs case trimmer
Dillon dies in .223
Lee classic cast turret
brass - mixed range pickup that has been cleaned
Primers CCI
So my process, per instruction from a friend who is a pretty experienced reloader is to:
clean
full length resize/decap
trim case to length
On press
prime
powder drop
seat bullet
No crimp
My first indication that something strange is happening is that when I trim (after resizing) the pilot is sometimes snug into the case neck and sometimes it goes in easy. This surprises me since the case mouth sizer on the dillon die contacts the inside of the case mouth last. I can also feel the difference when seating the bullet.
One thing I have NOT yet figured out is if the difference in tension is consistent with different head stamps. If the brass on one brand is thicker than on another, then this could help account for the difference. I should figure that out, I realize that, but I don't have that data point yet.
The OD of the neck sizer on the Dillon die is only .217. Is this right? is it supposed to be undersized like that? I'm assuming yes, but input is appreciated.
So anyway, neck tension would seem to be an important thing to have consistent if you want to make accurate ammo. I'm clearly not getting consistency here.
Don
I've been reloading pistols for years and am pretty familiar with it. But I've just started reloading bottle necked cartridges.
The equipment I'm using at this point is:
rcbs case trimmer
Dillon dies in .223
Lee classic cast turret
brass - mixed range pickup that has been cleaned
Primers CCI
So my process, per instruction from a friend who is a pretty experienced reloader is to:
clean
full length resize/decap
trim case to length
On press
prime
powder drop
seat bullet
No crimp
My first indication that something strange is happening is that when I trim (after resizing) the pilot is sometimes snug into the case neck and sometimes it goes in easy. This surprises me since the case mouth sizer on the dillon die contacts the inside of the case mouth last. I can also feel the difference when seating the bullet.
One thing I have NOT yet figured out is if the difference in tension is consistent with different head stamps. If the brass on one brand is thicker than on another, then this could help account for the difference. I should figure that out, I realize that, but I don't have that data point yet.
The OD of the neck sizer on the Dillon die is only .217. Is this right? is it supposed to be undersized like that? I'm assuming yes, but input is appreciated.
So anyway, neck tension would seem to be an important thing to have consistent if you want to make accurate ammo. I'm clearly not getting consistency here.
Don
