Reloading/Resizing for AR?
Previously I reloaded for a Rem Mdl 7 223 using LE Wilson neck die and in-line bullet seating die. After a few firings the base and body of the shell increased in diameter slightly but insufficient to cause any problems with the bolt action.
Recently I was loading similar ammunition for an AR (actually a SIG 400). The casings were once fired Federal brass. I ran all through a full length sizer die. and then reloaded. All of these processed excellently, however when neck sized only, some of the cases resist chambering in the AR.
When seeking accurate loads is it common practice to obtain reliability in the AR by full length sizing brass that's been fired in the same rifle? Or is there something else that should be done?
Recently I was loading similar ammunition for an AR (actually a SIG 400). The casings were once fired Federal brass. I ran all through a full length sizer die. and then reloaded. All of these processed excellently, however when neck sized only, some of the cases resist chambering in the AR.
When seeking accurate loads is it common practice to obtain reliability in the AR by full length sizing brass that's been fired in the same rifle? Or is there something else that should be done?
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Very few autoloader's can get by with neck sized only ammo. 0 -
Was the neck sized brass jamming in the AR previously fired in the bolt gun?
One of these guns has a tighter chamber.
Try chambering a fired brass from each rifle in the other rifle.
Use a black marker on the brass to see which chamber is tight and where.
You used to be able to send four fired cases to RCBS to get accurate neck sizing dies with necks closely concentric to the body.Your present neck sizing die may allow too much eccentricity between neck and body
If you're unlucky, you may have to also resize bases.0 -
For ease of use F/L size the brass used in the AR, plus keep and eye on the length, they grow fast. The return spring on the AR type rifle does not impart a lot of humph on chambering a round.
Some folks go overboard and use a S/B die for the AR cases, I bought one 25 years ago, never did find a need for it but I have one.0 -
I have two sizers one set for the AR and one for the bolt specifically for each rifle. The bolt is a -.001 bump, the AR is set -.003 bump.
Both are full length.0 -
quote:Originally posted by 5mmgunguy
I have two sizers one set for the AR and one for the bolt specifically for each rifle. The bolt is a -.001 bump, the AR is set -.003 bump.
Are the dies full length or just neck?0 -
+1 regarding the small base rifle dies and neck sizing.
I have had issues using pistol brass where the base was slightly larger than chamber diameter and resulted in either sticky extraction or the round not chambering. All the pistol cases were full length resized prior to reloading; however, in some cases the lowest part of the case above the head can remain slightly over sized causing the problem you described. Sometimes a small bulge may be noticeable on base. Neck sizing could also be the cause if the shoulder is not bumped far enough back.
My humble opinion is you may have to check cartridge dimensions at the base and neck-shoulder to determine the cause.
Best,
Heavyiron0 -
quote:Originally posted by Ray B
quote:Originally posted by 5mmgunguy
I have two sizers one set for the AR and one for the bolt specifically for each rifle. The bolt is a -.001 bump, the AR is set -.003 bump.
Are the dies full length or just neck?
Thanks 5mm, I'll use the full die for the AR and the Wilson for the M7- problem solved[:)][:)]0
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