Redding Sizing Die setup problems

[Scollins]

Ok, I've got all the stuff I need for 300x221 except the upper from Randall. I figured it was time to get the XL650 configured for some 300x221 loads, since I've got all the loading pieces now. Now, I'm not at all a newbie to reloading, having loaded over 40,000 of various calibers. But I'm stumped on this problem!

I setup the sizing per instructions, and it has the .308 expander installed in the sizing die. I'm also using Keith's brass. I lube a case (inside and out) and let is sit while I take care of few other things on the press. Now, when I run the case through the sizing die, it gets about half way home then stops dead in its tracks against the expander. If I push any further, it crushes the case!

I took the expander out and placed it in the mouth of another case, it does not go all the way in, but hangs up. I would have expected it to go in further, since it has already been formed and sized by Keith. No matter what I try, I crush the case in the die.

I measured the inside of the case, and they are .305" or so, and the expander is .305" as well at the widest point. So what the heck am I doing wrong here??

[pmc]

Sounds like your die is adjusted down to far and thus causing the shoulder to come in contact before the expander is thru the neck.

I have crushed quite a few cases, but I am not am home now to look at my setup.

HTH

Pmc

[GunGeek]

So, Can you run the cases into the sizing die without the expander/decapper in place? One thing that might be going on is if the expander is not down far enough into the die, the case may be trying to go over the expander at the same time the neck is trying to go into the neck part of the resizing die. That is as simple to fix as screwing the expander deaper into the die until the decapping pin is sticking out the botto of the sizing die.

[Scollins]

Originally Posted by GunGeek

So, Can you run the cases into the sizing die without the expander/decapper in place? One thing that might be going on is if the expander is not down far enough into the die, the case may be trying to go over the expander at the same time the neck is trying to go into the neck part of the resizing die. That is as simple to fix as screwing the expander deaper into the die until the decapping pin is sticking out the botto of the sizing die.

That is what I had to do. The decapping pin is now protruding below the die body by .275". The pin protrudes about .18" to .2" on my other dies. Just a quirk I guess.

[Scollins]

Ok, I've got the sizing die figured out now. I had to screw the decapper/expander all the way down until it could go no further. I then "sooted" a case neck to determine how far down to screw the die body. Just before contacting the shell plate, the sizing line was just a hair above the shoulder. Any further down and the die body would contact the shell holder before the full stroke was complete.

So I think I've got this problem licked.

Now on to problem number two. Which powder funnel to use in the XL650 powder measure!! I thought I had one that would work, but because the case is so short, the powder bar doesn't travel the full distance. So now I need to figure out which powder funnel I need.....


ETA: According to Dillon, I need the 7.62x39 powder funnel. So I ordered up one of those. I think this project is going to "nickel and dime" me to death.... But it should be worth it in the end...