Reloading question

[GunnerGunz]

I reloaded 50 22-250 cartridges today. 40% seated bullet fine but the other 60% were too wide and the bullet slipped into the cartridge? I have never run into this problem before. Anyone have any ideas why? I would also assume I need to remove bullet, powder, primer and resize the neck and if that doesn't work then resize the entire case. Thanks for any reply's.

 

[steves1911]

Sounds like you may have a problem with the expander ball on your sizing die. Were these full length or neck sized? Is it at all possible the cases that didnt have the case mouths sized properly somehow skipped the sizing process all together?

 

[Shooter88]

I had a similar issue when neck sizing .308. I was using a Lee die and I found the problem to be that I wasn't putting enough pressure on the handle of the press. Don't know what dies your using but if your using a Lee neck sizer then maybe this will help you out.

 

[j8064]

I agree with the above remarks, but only to a point.

If you are using a FL sizing die, it's likely not adjusted correctly. And if you are using a collet or neck sizing die, it is not adjusted correctly. Either way, re-check your die adjustments.

 

[j8064]

I reloaded 50 22-250 cartridges today. 40% seated bullet fine but the other 60% were too wide and the bullet slipped into the cartridge? I have never run into this problem before. Anyone have any ideas why? I would also assume I need to remove bullet, powder, primer and resize the neck and if that doesn't work then resize the entire case. Thanks for any reply's.

Also, depending on whether you FL sized the cases or only resized the case necks, pulling the bullets isn't difficult and the bullet, powder charge and primers can be reused - if you know how.

 

[Jaybeez]

Did you measure the bullets that fell in and compare them to spec?

 

[Sticky]

I agree with the above remarks, but only to a point.

If you are using a FL sizing die, it's likely not adjusted correctly. And if you are using a collet or neck sizing die, it is not adjusted correctly. Either way, re-check your die adjustments.

Agreed.. and it should be easy to pull everything and reprocess it..

Are you 100% sure that the cases you loaded were resized? (the ones that had no neck tension)

 

[GunnerGunz]

Sounds like you may have a problem with the expander ball on your sizing die. Were these full length or neck sized? Is it at all possible the cases that didnt have the case mouths sized properly somehow skipped the sizing process all together?

Neck sized and did them one after the other. This is why I am perplexed. No adjustments during neck sizing.

 

[GunnerGunz]

I had a similar issue when neck sizing .308. I was using a Lee die and I found the problem to be that I wasn't putting enough pressure on the handle of the press. Don't know what dies your using but if your using a Lee neck sizer then maybe this will help you out.

Yes on Lee dies. I will press harder and see if that works.

 

[GunnerGunz]

Agreed.. and it should be easy to pull everything and reprocess it..

Are you 100% sure that the cases you loaded were resized? (the ones that had no neck tension)

yes 100% like I sad one after the other, it could be not enough pressure. I will try again and see what happens.

 

[stu929]

I have had this happen with military brass. I reduced the size of the expander a bit and polished it. Fixed the issue.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

 

[Sticky]

If you are using a Lee collet die, be sure the collet isn't stuck. Disassemble the die, be sure the collet isn't stuck where it engages the rest of the die, put a little tiny bit of grease on the outside of the collet fingers and you should be good to go. Trying to size without a case can force the male/female collet section to bind up, as can some small gunk, like a small piece of brass. Also be sure you are setting it up properly and applying adequate pressure, as mentioned. It takes 20-25lbs of pressure to properly operate the die at the bottom of the stroke, the contact with the shell holder is what makes it all work....

 

[kalister1]

Are the bad rounds all of the same head stamp? If so it could be wall thickness?

 

[GunnerGunz]

Shooter88 had the correct answer. I was 40% Man 60% wuss. Once neck sizing the bad rounds they were good to go. As always thanks for the reply's all.

 

[madmantrapper]

Are the bad rounds all of the same head stamp? If so it could be wall thickness?

I don't think wall thickness would come into play. The mouth is resized on the way out after compression.

 

[kalister1]

I don't think wall thickness would come into play. The mouth is resized on the way out after compression.

Only if it is compressed enough to actually feel the expander?

 

[Sticky]

Shooter88 had the correct answer. I was 40% Man 60% wuss. Once neck sizing the bad rounds they were good to go. As always thanks for the reply's all.

Good deal! It does take a good bit of pressure to ensure proper sizing with a collet die. Here is good, quick vid on setup and tweaking...

 

[Sticky]

I don't think wall thickness would come into play. The mouth is resized on the way out after compression.

Sort of.. the mandrel actually compresses the case neck against the 'expander', but unlike a conventional expander, the expander in a collet die is a constant diameter the entire length, so it doesn't really oversize the neck and then expand on the way out as would a conventional die, this is why pressure is critical, to ensure you fully compress the neck against the mandrel on the bottom of the stroke.

 

[Shooter88]

Glad I could help. I felt like it took significantly more pressure than what the directions said that came with the dies. For .308 at least.