neck resizing setup

I'm reloading 243.
Hornady necksizing & depriming die. Lee Challenger press.
The brass has only been fired once, from new factory rounds, in my rifle.
Remington 700 rifle.

I have set up the resizing to stop at the end of the neck where it meets the start of the shoulder. After resizing I have put each empty cartridge into the rifle and confirmed the bolt closes and opens easily. Some are smooth. Some are not, requiring a bit more force to unlock the lugs in the rifle.

Why is this?

Some rounds when fully loaded are harder to close the bolt than others. The COAL varies only by 3-5 thou only.

Why is this?

Not sure if this is the same thing but I had some issues with closing some shells in the 300wsm but after winding the die down a little more it seems to have sorted it.

are you lubing the inside of the case neck with anything ? graphite ?

Are you case lengths consistent after neck sizing but before seating ?

Are you trimming at all ? before or after sizing ?

are you measuring COAL (i'm assuming base to ogive) using a comparator ?

Are you bumping the shoulder too ? Might be that you need to do that ...

I only resize 3/4 of the neck length , leaving 1/4
Fireformed. This provides an alignment of he cartridge very precisely with your chamber and throat , helping centre the projectile.

Thats the theory anyway ....

Tim

die could be too low and pushing shoulder out.

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Yep, sounds like the shoulder is being bumped and inconsistently, so measure the headspace with a comparator of fired brass and sized brass.
I found the Lee Challenger press actually stretches under tension (being alloy) and that Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushing used with the Challenger press has a bit of slack in it.
So they could be the cause.

I went to a Rockchucker press, Lee Collet die and use a Redding body die to bump the shoulder when required (around every 5 firings, depending on charge) and have consistent sizings every time now.

Have seen a few cases bulge at the shoulder from neck die being too low and compressing the junction area. You dont need to size the entire neck. Measure dimensions around shoulder and see if/how they vary from.those that are easy to close. If its not the ne k die being too far down i would think its that the shoulder needs to be bumped back with a full length or body die.

Its a myth that a neck die sizes the whole neck.You can help get total consistency by trim to same length and anneal your brass beforehand.Try Redding body die and LCD as an alternative.

Look at this

Neck dies Bushing vs Collet

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ebf

are you lubing the inside of the case neck with anything ? graphite ?

Are you case lengths consistent after neck sizing but before seating ?

Are you trimming at all ? before or after sizing ?

are you measuring COAL (i'm assuming base to ogive) using a comparator ?

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using graphite to lubricate.
measure COAL using verniers.
Trimming using lee trim tool.

Thx. I'll try backing off the necksize.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scottrods

using graphite to lubricate.
measure COAL using verniers.
Trimming using lee trim tool.

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Ok, you want to use a comparator to measure base to ogive, measuring to the tip of the projectile does not give consistent results.

Get a shoulder comparator as well, that will confirm what is happening during sizing.

Are you trimming before or after sizing ?

Trimming after. I have a full length die too. Should I just use that?

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Projectiles are nosler ballistic tips. Pretty regular length and weight

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I would really recommend that you buy some comparators, and start measuring, that is the only way to figure out what is happening after each step...

Maybe there is someone in CHC near you with projectile and case comparators you can use, also helps to have a second set of eyes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ebf

I would really recommend that you buy some comparators, and start measuring, that is the only way to figure out what is happening after each step...

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+1

Until you can measure and compare, you are only really guessing what is happening. Buying a comparator body and inserts for bullet and shoulder was one of the best reloading purchasers i've made.