Small base sizer

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  • Fox84
    Unwashed
    • Feb 2017
    • 12

    Small base sizer

    I reloaded 60 rds of once fired hornady 123 amax. After 10 rds I have a full battery issue, stuck live round in chamber. Ended my grendel shooting for the day. Seems I need a small base sizer. I'am using Hornaday dies. Does anyone make a small base sizer by itself? Don't need another complete set.
  • LRRPF52
    Super Moderator
    • Sep 2014
    • 8569

    #2
    Welcome aboard.

    You just might not be sizing down the body enough.

    How far back are you pushing your shoulder?

    Do you have a comparator?
    NRA Basic, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, RSO

    CCW, CQM, DM, Long Range Rifle Instructor

    6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks & chamber brushes can be found here:

    www.AR15buildbox.com

    Comment

    • Fox84
      Unwashed
      • Feb 2017
      • 12

      #3
      I agree I'am not sizing down the body enough. I have a .004 belly keeping some of my reloads from full battery. I have a comparator. I want to get a Wilson gauge to tell me what rds to pull and resize. I'am seeing 264 lbc small base dies. I'am wondering is this what I need?
      I'am resizing full case with Hornaday dies.

      Comment

      • LRRPF52
        Super Moderator
        • Sep 2014
        • 8569

        #4
        I use the Hornady full-length sizing die, and have for years.

        It just needs to be set-up to move the shoulder back .005".

        I would not use a small-base die in the AR15.

        I noticed that when I switched brass types, the sizing didn't move the shoulder back enough, or the body narrow enough, so I had to set up the die again for that particular brass.
        NRA Basic, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, RSO

        CCW, CQM, DM, Long Range Rifle Instructor

        6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks & chamber brushes can be found here:

        www.AR15buildbox.com

        Comment

        • Texas
          Chieftain
          • Jun 2016
          • 1230

          #5
          Originally posted by LRRPF52 View Post
          I use the Hornady full-length sizing die, and have for years.

          It just needs to be set-up to move the shoulder back .005".

          I would not use a small-base die in the AR15.

          I noticed that when I switched brass types, the sizing didn't move the shoulder back enough, or the body narrow enough, so I had to set up the die again for that particular brass.
          What he said

          Comment

          • Klem
            Chieftain
            • Aug 2013
            • 3507

            #6
            +2

            Comment

            • TropicalVibe
              Warrior
              • Mar 2015
              • 138

              #7
              I use the RCBS SB sizing dies for both 308 and 556 semi-auto hand loading. I have had stuck cartridge issues with just using the FL die in these calibers. When I first started loading for the Grendel, I used the SB RCBS dies, but had issues with the case head. It seemed to leave marks, just above the webbing.

              I changed my die set to the Hornady FL and have not had one issue. As stated above, make sure you are setting your shoulder back properly.

              Comment

              • Fox84
                Unwashed
                • Feb 2017
                • 12

                #8
                Is it in the Hornaday instructions on how to set the shoulder back .005? If not I need more info. Thanks so far!

                Comment

                • Clarence
                  Bloodstained
                  • Dec 2015
                  • 53

                  #9
                  Check a couple of fired cases with the comparator. Note the measurement. Size a couple of cases; measure and record. If not ~0.005" less than the fired case, turn the sizing die down into the press just a bit more. Repeat process until the cases are 0.005" shorter than the fired cases.

                  Clarence

                  Comment

                  • Fox84
                    Unwashed
                    • Feb 2017
                    • 12

                    #10
                    I have the sizing die screwed into my press until it meets the shell holder at the top of the stroke. Then cams over.

                    Out of the 60 rds I reloaded only 11 will not chamber. Of course all the new stuff runs as well.

                    Comment

                    • VASCAR2
                      Chieftain
                      • Mar 2011
                      • 6219

                      #11
                      Hornady new demension dies says to raise ram to a point before cam over, then screw die down onto the shell holder. With Hornady dies a different brand of shell holder can cause problems not getting enough shoulder set back. I use Hornady shell holder with Hornady die. If your not getting enough set back screw the die down a little and inspect case. If you screw the die down to far you can ruin cases! Go in small incremental amounts in lowering the die. It doesn't hurt to have a case gauge, I use Sheridan but you can also try inserting the case into your barrel's chamber to ensure proper sizing. The Sheridan case gauge is smaller than my three 6.5 Grendel barrel chambers. If my reloads fit the Sheridan case gauge they work in my three rifles.

                      Comment

                      • Fox84
                        Unwashed
                        • Feb 2017
                        • 12

                        #12
                        I even turned the die in a quarter turn after press cams over. Round still won't camber. I'am thinking I need another sizing die or I need to modify the hornady.

                        Comment

                        • TropicalVibe
                          Warrior
                          • Mar 2015
                          • 138

                          #13
                          I believe more important than cam-over is using a comparator to check for shoulder set back. In my experience, even without cam over, depending on the shell holder you might be getting setback. The only way to know is using the comparator. ~.003 is a good starting point for setback.

                          Comment

                          • dgunnut
                            Unwashed
                            • Dec 2016
                            • 14

                            #14
                            I'm glad this question has come up. I am monitoring this thread for an answer as well. I understand how you can back off a die and set the shoulder back less, but I don't understand how you can set the shoulder back further if your die is already bottoming out on the shell holder. Doesn't' that act as a hard stop that prevents any further adjustments down or am I missing something?

                            Comment

                            • IceAxe
                              Warrior
                              • Jan 2014
                              • 168

                              #15
                              Who makes the shell holder? As stated if it is a different vendor most likely a different thickness. I had this problem when I tried using Hornady dies with a RCBS shellholder.

                              Comment

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