Thread: Cannot Get Headspace Short Enough?

Hi All,

I'm trying to reload a few 8mm cartridges for a Yugoslavian M48. The brass I have is a mixture of S&B, Winchester and Geco. The fired headspace on the brass is around 1.855 inch. So I figured I should bump the shoulders back to about 1.852.

During the setup, I found that the Hornady FL die I'm using was bottoming out on the shell holder (also Hornady), and the case came out 1.858 (due to stretching?).

So I decided to put in a projectile (no primer or powder) to my pre-determined length (CBTO 2.660, 50 thou jump), and test the fit. The bolt could close but it was stiff.

So what I want to kow is, what is the best way to get to my desired headspace length? A quick search led me to believe shortening the shell holder is the simplest way forward, but I though I had better ask more experience ld reloaders first, incase theres something I'm not aware of?

Cheers,
Alex

Try turning the die down 1/4 of a turn and cam over the the press handle, I used to think this was silly but tried it when I had the same problem and it worked a treat
it takes the flex out of the press.

Ok thanks. Will give that a go tomorrow

Originally Posted by shooternz

Try turning the die down 1/4 of a turn and cam over the the press handle, I used to think this was silly but tried it when I had the same problem and it worked a treat
it takes the flex out of the press.

I just learnt this and it fixed the same problem for me in my 284. The die was just touching the shell holder and I was getting a few cases sticking in the chamber. Another 1/4 turn so the press would just cam over sorted the problem. Headspace gauge on a bullet comparator confirmed for me that it was bumping the shoulder another 2 thou.

better idea than mine. I would've taken the holder to work and machined 10 thou off the top.

Yep my 6mm remington had a tight chamber and required cam over
As others have said take it down till it touches the shell holder
Then drop the ram to get the shell out the way
Then arround a 1/4 turn more depending on the press
Then you should feel the shell holder bottom out on the die
Then if you keep going it will cam over feels like closeing a pair of vice grips
This should be reasonably easy if it takes Excessive force back the die out slightly
If its to easy put it in slightly more
You’ll work it out it’s not rocket silence

"You’ll work it out it’s not rocket silence" bahahahahaha rocket silence- i like that!

Hahaha Voice typing on the iPhone

Originally Posted by rambo-6mmrem

Hahaha Voice typing on the iPhone

Nerd!!!

Originally Posted by csmiffy

better idea than mine. I would've taken the holder to work and machined 10 thou off the top.

I tried that first didn't work that well, the cam over method is better as it takes up the flex in the press, I was surprised that a RCBS Rockchucker would have that much flex,
With reloading you are always learning new shit even after 50 years doing it

redding comp shell holder set and set die up to cam over as above. The comp shell holder sets aren't cheap but they work great.

I had to do this "cam-over" thing with my 7mm08 and the co-ax press and Redding fl die. It's a fairly solid press and uses spring lloaded gripping jaws not a case holder like most systems. it was in the instructions to set the die to touch the jaws (case holder) then tighten a further 1/4 turn and I thought it must have been a misprint but no that's what I needed to do. Took a few firings before the new cases got hard to chamber so was puzzling at first.

I think there a chap in Wellington that's had a few problems with "head space" recently..... Lees Galloway. Might be worth asking. A few muppets there who seem to be devoid of any head space

Originally Posted by chainsaw

I think there a chap in Wellington that's had a few problems with "head space" recently..... Lees Galloway. Might be worth asking. A few muppets there who seem to be devoid of any head space

Hey @chainsaw, I think their problem is too much headspace, not too little.