The Sizing die should be full length and I think Redding marks theirs with an FL on the die. I know they make a neck sizing die in most calibers but unless they mis-boxed it, a neck sizing die would not come in a two die set. Mine is definitely full length and I seat and crimp in two different dies/steps so it is easier to determine which is fouling up.StorminNormin wrote:Yes I chamfer and de-bur both after chopping the brass and again after trimming. It does this on every round but brass that I convert will go further into the gauge and the bullet seats easier. Brass that I have bought from an online vendor I probably need to start chamfering the case before loading because on that brass I can feel the bullet is harder to seat.dellet wrote:If it only does it occasionally it will be difficult. Clean the gauge and rounds well that won't gauge. Use a sharpie to blacken the rounds and check them again, it should clean the brass where it hits the gauge.
You also did not say if you are de-burring the inside of the case mouth or not, the slight chamfer really helps in seating the bullet, really helpful on a flat base bullet. It really does not take that much force in the press to deform the case.
edit: Should of been more clear, are you de-burring Again after final trim?
I will try what you said with the sharpie, but from the measurements I have taken on loaded brass it appears to be .oo1" above SAAMI spec just below the shoulder so that is what makes me think it is the seating of the bullet, but if that has to do with the seating die or the sizing die is what I need to figure out. I have not had time yet to try and make some adjustments from the suggestions made.
You said the empty converted brass gauges after running through the sizing die. So the problem is not there, but in the seating/crimp process. I know it was suggested to back off the crimp some,I would back it off completely to determine of it is a seating or crimping problem.
I do use the Redding dies, but as I said the seating die is different so the instructions will vary, but I do know they are clear that in the seating process they warn against allowing the die to contact the shell holder.
The SIZING die is set allowing contact. The SEATING die needs clearance.
You also said that after seating/crimp you then crimp again with a Lee die, Have you ever gauged between these steps? maybe the problem is where you think. Not sure what problem a double crimp might create.