Reloading .280 Rem for 1984 Ruger bolt

[STW Newcommer]

I am trying to set up my full length resizing die for proper head spacing by measuring fired cases from my Ruger. Using a RCBS head space gauge for the .280 Rem I get measurements between + or - .001. The average is .000. When I run these cases through my Hornady FL die they measure anywhere from -.004 to +.003 without making any adjustment. What could be the reasons that this is so inconsistent? What ever is happening, makes any die adjustment very uncertain.

Any ideas?

 

[mechengr]

Are you using new brass or fire formed? Is brass all the same headstamp? How are you lubricating your brass before sizing?

 

[STW Newcommer]

Are you using new brass or fire formed? Is brass all the same headstamp? How are you lubricating your brass before sizing?[/QUOTE]

 

[STW Newcommer]

Thanks for your reply. I am using all fire formed Rem brass. I annealed first then decapped and resized using Hornady FL die. I made no adjustments during the process. My lubing could be suspect. I am using Imperial Sizing Die Wax on the outside of the case and letting a very small amount on the inside of the neck with a neck brush. The case resizing seems to go well but sometimes the neck expander has more friction.

Incedently when I tested different headspaces at the range the .000 worked best with (.62 MOA) the -.002 (.92MOA) and -.003 (1.57 MOA)

 

[mechengr]

Are you lubricating the outside of the case necks as well?

Is this a new die set? How rough is the expander ball? In the one Hornady die set I have the expander had visible machining marks. I chucked the stem into a drill and spun it in a cloth that was loaded with polishing compound. Polishing the expander made a world of difference in the consistency and amount of effort required to pull the case back through.

Could it possibly be inconsistent annealing from case to case as well?

 

[STW Newcommer]

Yes i am lubing the outside neck, shoulder and about 1/2 way down the case. It is a new die and I just pulled the expander and it looked well polished and lubed.

I may have an issue with my annealing. I hold over a small propane flame until I notice some discoloration and then quench in water. The time to heat is very inconsistent. Can I over anneal? How could I improve my procedure?