SmallCaliberCentral

This operation is something that I have not previously paid much attention to, but due to bolt close issues with my 22-250 recently became aware of. Problem is, I can't seem to get my Forster die to move the shoulder on my 204 brass. I even took the die to a lapping block and honed the snout a couple thousandths. Die is adjusted as short as I can go and still get handle closed. I also tried with it adjusted tighter yet.


I'm using the Hornady measuring fixture. The one thing that I did not measure was if the case length was shortening as in the shoulder was maybe moving, but not where the tool measured.

Hmmm...

Is there a gap between the shellholder and bottom of the die when you have a case all the way in the die? If so, need to adjust die down some more.

If it is contacting the shellholder, I would take some material off of the shell holder.

....or...you have a short(ish) chamber and a long(ish) cut die.

Yes it fully contacts the shellholder and with solid force. On the Co-ax trimming the shellholder is not really practical.

I'll call Forster and see what they say. Could be short chamber/long die like you said.

Do you have one of the cartridge length gauges (now made by Hornady)?

You can measure from the shoulder to the base of the case to determine how much a case is growing when fired and how much you are bumping the shoulder back.

You could invert a 308 shell - so the mouth of the shell contacts the shoulder. Compare against a new case, a fired case, and a sized case.

I fired a few rounds yesterday with both of my 204's so I'll look at them and see how they compare for starters.

Yes I have the Stoney Point/Hornady tools.

I'm thinking that my once fired brass grew little to nothing on the headspace gauge.

acloco wrote:Hmmm...
Is there a gap between the shellholder and bottom of the die when you have a case all the way in the die? If so, need to adjust die down some more.
If it is contacting the shellholder, I would take some material off of the shell holder.

I agree 100%....taking a few thou off the bump die base solved my bump problem.