Problem Reloading, Brass gets stuck near belt

[jazzato]

I just got into reloading, I'm using once shot brass (HSM ammo)that I shot out of a custom made .300 WM. When I measure just above the base of the brass (I guess this is called the belt) on my unshot ammo it measures .507, on my shot ammo it measures around .513, so it is expanding I'm assuming in my chamber.
I purchased a 2 die set from Redding (competition bullet seater and FL sizing dies for $140 from midwayusa. I want to get accurate target shooting at 1000 yards so I spent extra after talking with someone from Dillon, I'm using a new Dillon 550b press. Here are my questions, sorry if they are dumb, I'm a newbie:

1. I can't get the brass to FL size at station one because it hits about 1/4 inch above the belt area which is .006 larger than an unshot case and gets stuck in my die, even when using lube.
2. My bullets fall thru the neck when I place them on the dillon press for bullet seating. Is this because I'm not FL sizing and the neck isn't getting sized properly (I adjusted a the deprimer pin down because I couldn't get the die to FL size?
3. Also I'm havingtrouble with powder charges not being even using a Dillon scale? I'm using H1000 powder that looks like tiny cylinder shapes, not balls. Maybe it isn't feeding properly, I'm getting .5 gr changes from bullet to bullet.
4. I didn't even get a crimping die, don't I need that, they guy from Dillon said I didn't when reloading for .300 wm?? When I put a bullet into the 3rd stage of the press (bullet seating) it comes out and I can pull the bullet right out, there not tight at all.
Confused after 5 hrs of every stage not working properly and need help!!
Thanks
Jamey

 

[jazzato]

One thing I forgot to add. I measured the inside diameter of the FL die and it measures .507, the same as my unshot HSM ammo. When the die is out of the press I can slide unshot ammo all the way up to the belt portion, which is what I'm assuming I should be able to do with the shot ammo. For some reason my cases are expanded to .513 about a .25 inches above the belt and that is where they are sticking. Do I need a different or custom die or something that will size just that lower portion of the case, then put it thru this competition FL sizer too.
Thanks again!
Jamey

 

[MT4XFore]

I'm not real sure a progressive press is what you want for belted magnum cases. The reason you are not able to resize the case fully is that you are not getting the case far enough into the die. I would hazard a guess that that's also the reason that you are not sizing the neck either. The bottom of the resizing die needs to make FIRM contact with the shell holder/plate. Personally, I would trade in the 550 for a good single stage press, but I know that isn't what you want to hear. The bottom line is that you are not resizing the case fully. Good luck, and God Bless.

Jim

 

[jazzato]

Jim,
Thanks for reply, I think I found my solution atleast partially. I read that belted magnums usually expand just above the belt and this Larry fella sells a collet die that reduces the size down to .510 from the expanded .513, I emailed them to see if i can get it to reduce it down to .507 which is the inside diameter of my FL Redding Type S die.

Here is his website, click on collet die, it is supposed to be universal for all belted magnums. I don't think sending back the press is an option, haha, it is too nice

Innovative Technologies - Reloading Equipment

Jamey

 

[bb204]

Are you using a powder measure, or are you weighing each charge ? If you're using a powder measure, you will need to set it light and trickle the last few tenths to be right. It also sounds like your shell holder is not contacting the sizing die during resizing, as was said before. If this is the case, the collet die won't help you. I would check my die adjustmen before I spent any more money on parts. JMHO

 

[jazzato]

I have the belted magnum powder measure setup for the dillon press, so it throws powder higher than 50 grs. I think I'll call dillon today and see if that stick type powder might not feed as well as ball powder.
Thanks
Jamey

 

[jazzato]

Update:
Just got off the phone with Redding , where I got my dies, and they said I need to get a different press, that a progressive like the dillon 550 won't have enough leverage to get over the bulge in the "web" and there is no need for a collet type die. I'm really getting confused and discouraged about this now. Time to call dillon.
Jamey

 

[bb204]

Your powder measure is not going to throw the same exact load with every cycle. Some powders will meter through a measure better than others, also. If you're wanting 1000yd accuracy, you are going to have to expect to weigh your charges each time, or get an electronic dispenser/scale. Most progressive loaders are made to load pistol or small rifle ammo, unless you get up into a commercial application loader. You should be able to find a RCBS combo for around $200. Again, ask around for opinions and experience before you drop your $$$. Good luck.

PS.. You might want to talk to someone about equipment that is not trying to sell you what they have instead of what you need.
Again, Just sayin'.....

 

[jazzato]

Well after talking with dillon and redding, I was confident that I screwed up on putting the spray lube on my brass and I didn't allow it to dry sufficiently (5 minutes). So after getting off the phone I tried spraying some on the brass, allowed it to dry, put one in the press and officially got it stuck for good. The brass got stuck in the exact same place as before, only this time when I tried to get it released the brass pulled up out of the shell holder and is now stuck inside the die!! Time to try to figure out how the heck I'm going to get it out of there without killing my die.

 

[ROBSTER]

I have a lee classic and a rcbs rockchucker and both work great at reloading the 300 win mag.
robster

 

[Buffalobob]

Thing 1. Don't use your phone anymore!
Thing 2. The first guy gave you the correct advice and you ignored him, don't do that again.
Thing 3. Sell the Dillon and get a solid RCBS or what ever.
Thing 4. Take the spray and use it on the neighbor's dog that pees on your clearcoated wheels. Go and get you a little tin of Imperial Sizing Wax and you will be good to go.
Thing 5. I think it is RCBS but might be someone else who sells the "stuck case remover". However you can use the search function and find numerous threads where others have stuck cases and gotten home remedies that work.
Thing 6 You only have about 247 more mistakes to make before you will have done them all. Cheer up, some of them make loud noises and cause fingers, thumbs, and gun parts to fly in all directions.

 

[dirtball]

Thing 1. Don't use your phone anymore!
Thing 2. The first guy gave you the correct advice and you ignored him, don't do that again.
Thing 3. Sell the Dillon and get a solid RCBS or what ever.
Thing 4. Take the spray and use it on the neighbor's dog that pees on your clearcoated wheels. Go and get you a little tin of Imperial Sizing Wax and you will be good to go.
Thing 5. I think it is RCBS but might be someone else who sells the "stuck case remover". However you can use the search function and find numerous threads where others have stuck cases and gotten home remedies that work.
Thing 6 You only have about 247 more mistakes to make before you will have done them all. Cheer up, some of them make loud noises and cause fingers, thumbs, and gun parts to fly in all directions.

BB
I thought you went hunt'n, or are you going to take the rest of the Fall off and just play on the internet?
Good to hear from you, but where are the pics from all the critters you kilt, sorry, Harvested.
Be safe.
Dave

 

[bassin93]

jazzato, like bb says get a different press. I also have a dillion 550B but, I only load pistol and small rifle on it. I also have a redding T7 turret press that I do all my large rifle cases on. the dillion is great press for what it is intended for but magnum cartridges are not it. I use the spray lube on my black powder cases but not my magnums. Like BB says, get a tin of imperial die sizing wax, it is about the best stuff for the large cases. A rockchucker or like press will be what you need. RCBS makes a stuck case remover that works very good. Do some reading on the different steps of reloading and things will go much better. No crimp needed on your cartridge either.

 

[Buffalobob]

BB
I thought you went hunt'n, or are you going to take the rest of the Fall off and just play on the internet?
Good to hear from you, but where are the pics from all the critters you kilt, sorry, Harvested.
Be safe.
Dave

Toting out elk by yourself is hard work! I had to come home and rest up.

Len has the pictures and story for the next newsletter.

Heading to Wyoming for antelope on the 19th and then back over to Utah for more toting out of elk. First, I may give Md deer one day of effort with the bow before I leave.