sized brass won't chamber

[neil mitchell]

I think I have a die problem.I have .270 win Lee full size and neck collet sizing dies.I normally just neck size and no problems encountered.This time I decided to full-size to "bump" the shoulder back.I have read to do this on several forums after neck sizing several times! Well, the full-sized brass is very hard to close the bolt on.I fired 1 loaded round and had no problems other than closing the bolt.Fired brass chambers fine.
This is my first time posting here at Hunt Chat.This seems like a very friendly and helpfull forum.
I have been reloading .38,.357,9mm and .380acp for about 30 years and am very carefull when reloading.

Thanks for listening,I have other questions but will wait.
Here's a pic of a blackened full sized case,It's hard to tell in the pic but the shoulder looks like the only place it is tight.http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/neilmitchell/000_0841.jpg

Neil

[Catfish]

Welcome aboard Niel.
My first guess is that you are not full lenth resizeing your cases. When you FL size brass you push a wave of brass down the case in frount of the die. If you stop befor you bottom out it will leave a ring on your case that is larger than the case dia. If your dies are not set to where the contact the shell holder, but very close your ammo will seem to fit well right up to the point you try to close the blot handle but it just won`t want to close. Try running the ram on your press to the top and then screw your die down till it`s touching the shell holder. My guess is that will fix your problem.

[Dan Morris]

Originally posted by Catfish
Welcome aboard Niel.
My first guess is that you are not full lenth resizeing your cases. When you FL size brass you push a wave of brass down the case in frount of the die. If you stop befor you bottom out it will leave a ring on your case that is larger than the case dia. If your dies are not set to where the contact the shell holder, but very close your ammo will seem to fit well right up to the point you try to close the blot handle but it just won`t want to close. Try running the ram on your press to the top and then screw your die down till it`s touching the shell holder. My guess is that will fix your problem.

I'm gonna go with catfish on that un.Also, welcome to HC, GOOD bunch of folks on here!
Dan
:)

[Ol` Joe]

Are you lubeing the case mouths?
Do you feel a dragging when the extractor ball comes back out of the case mouth?

Part-sizeing can cause the shoulder to move foreward as the body sizes down. The displaced brass has to go somewhere and the lenght is the direction of least resistance. Make sure the die is set as the manufacture recommends.

I think you are pulling the shoulder forward a bit. The die needs to be set to slightly over set the shoulder as the extractor will drag the shoulder forward a hair as it leaves the case. Lubeing the mouth will help prevent this and is the best fix IMO. A dab with a Q-Tip or brush every 2nd or 3rd case will do, you don`t need much. The little bit of lube won`t harm the powder and if you are worried about it a 10-15 minute tumble in your tumbler will remove it.

[neil mitchell]

Thanks for the welcome guys.
I adjusted the die per LEE's instructions .Screwed it in til touching shell holder then in another 1/4 turn.
I lubed the cases with Hornady One Shot including a shot inside case mouth (after cleaning mouth with a brush on drill).I also removed expander from die and sanded it lightly with some #400 grit paper then polished it on my grinder with a deburring wheel. I have also checked diameter of case with digital caliper from top to bottom and compared that with a case that chambers easily and they appear to be the same.I can't find any "bulges" in sized case.Sized case was longer so I trimmed it ,chamfered it and still - no go.
I think the die was milled incorrectly and needs to be sent back to Lee.This is the first time I've used this FL die.

Neil

[gd357]

neil,

had the same problem with a .22-250 a short while back. FL resized casings wouldn't chamber, and I ended up having to buy another set of dies (I'd borrowed a set of dies from a friend, so no initial investment). for whatever reason, the die was slightly oversized.

gd

[GoodOlBoy]

Could be a die problem yes. Try the Hornady dimension dies if you can get ahold of a set for a good price.

BTW Neil I work in Nacogdoches. Welcome to HC

GoodOlBoy

[Catfish]

I think you right this time Neil. Since you`ve made sure that the dies sized the whole case, over sized dies are abt. all that`s left. They are eather to deep and not bumping the shoulder back or the diameter at some point is to great, and ptobibly at the base. Even though I don`t like Lee equipment and won`t by it any more, the problem your haveing is unusall even for them. Good luck.

[petey]

I'd be on the horn with the folks at Lee. You paid for something they screwed up, so they should replace it.

To heck with buying another one, make the original manufacture replace their crappy product.

If nothing else, they can test it and verify your asumptions.

Here's their number 262-673-3075 or email a Tech @ info@leeprecision.com

[neil mitchell]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.
Appreciate the phone# Petey.I'll call them Monday morning.

Neil

[Contenderizer]

Have you tried chambering a round before seating the bullet? Could be an OAL problem, though I'm sure you checked that given your experience. Anyway, you will find Lee's "help line," well, helpful. If its a problem with the die they will replace it.

[neil mitchell]

Contenderizer,yes I trimmed the cases because the FL sizing made them longer.The reason I posted this question on here is because I have measured the diameter of the cases from rim to mouth and I can't find anyplace where the diameter is larger than a fired case.I know the SOB has a "bulge" somewhere but damned if I can find it.I would just like to know where the problem is.

Neil

[Rapier]

Neil,
It looks like you have a bright ring on the body at the shoulder joint and the shoulder itself is dark. This indicates that you have pushed the shoulder back past spec and to the point of expanding the body at the joint. This can be done in several ways, the most common being case lube trapped above the shoulder in the die. The case lube pushes the shoulder back and does not allow the body to travel far enough into the die to reduce the expanded area.

Unless you want to throw the brass away, force the cases, fire them, and you are back to spec. If neck sizing works for you, why fix what ain't broken?
Ed

[Contenderizer]

Neil - How did you make out will Lee? Have you resolved the problem?

[neil mitchell]

Originally posted by Contenderizer
Neil - How did you make out will Lee? Have you resolved the problem?
I haven't done anything yet.I 've been loading for my .308 and "playing" with my new chrono.

Neil