stupid reloading tricks

[Mitch in MI]

Here's a reason to avoid used dies that I never thought of. (and with the number of times I loaned a tool so some jackass who modified it before returning it, I'd be real careful about loaning out reloading tools) At least with a single shot you can see if you chamber a too-short cartridge.

From the Speer web site, brass education page:
http://www.speer-bullets.com/default.asp?s1=6&s2=11
"We had the sad opportunity to examine the remains of a custom '03 Springfield rifle that fell victim to a modified resizing die. Someone (not the owner) had ground .035" from the bottom of the die. That resulted in the case shoulder being pushed back .035" more than normal. When the first round fired, the case tried to stretch enough to make up the difference, but it exceeded its elastic limit and ruptured. A nice rifle was reduced to scrap metal and kindling."

[Haywire Haywood]

Being the good natured guy that I am, I'd have given the person that modified my dies the opportunity to sign over all his possessions to me before I sued him into poverty for destroying my rifle and endangering my life.

just my 2c,
Ian

[Mitch in MI]

Haywire:
Speer didn't give specifics, for all we know the Springfield owner bought his 30-06 dies at an estate sale after some nutty wildcatter died. (nutty because I can't think of a logical reason to chamber a gun for a .035" shortened 30-06)

If he loaned it and it got modified, the jerk would probably claim it was that way when he borrowed it. A friend of mine recently got a $300 MAC ball joint press returned all bent out of shape and that's what the borrower told him.


I should probably get a 1/8" stamp set and restamp any barrels I rechamber, even the AI barrels.
I've heard gunsmiths who recommend a chamber cast of any used gun, but I would not have thought I needed to take a chamber cast of a used sizing die.

[Fred M]

Mich.
No you need to make a chamber cast of the die. A dimple od red lip stick  on the shoulder will tell you all you need to know. If the dimple disappears you know the shoulder is moved down.

How much can be determined with a feeler gage between the shell holder and the botomm of the die when you move the die up with subsequent
tries.  Make sure you lock the die each time you move it up and screw it down tight to the feeler gage.

If yopu want to shorten the case you can place a suitable piece of shim stock on the shell holder under the case up to .005" which is max head space but 2-3 is better. Not all shell holders are .125" deep, check them to see what you got. .124, .126" and .1265 are common. Adjust you die accordinly. Handi's are most finicky about case length. even one thou too long will kill accuracy.

Fred M.