Reloading frustration.

[Dozermonkey]

Hey guys. I'm new to reloading. I've got 17 years of 223 brass to load. Soo...I bought a used progressive from a friend of mine. I'm using it as a single stage so to speak, just loading one case in the turrent at a time. My frustration is 1) my case trimming is not coming out consistently at 1.750. I'm using the lock rings and a known case size as an constant. My OVERALL CASE LENGTH is always just under 2.200. Bullet seat is good and on the crimp.
2) I'm using Hornady dies and so far , imo, they're a ***** ! Getting them set is a pita !
Am I just too new, stupid or both !

 

[aviator41]

What kind of case trimmer are you using? You mention Hornady dies, but don't mention the case trimmer.

Really, as long as the OAL is good and the rounds will go into battery, there's no need to trim the cases. I can sometimes get 6 loads out of a 223 case before I have to do any trimming. If you're using once-fired cases, skip the trim with a couple and see if they chamber. OAL is more important that case length with ammo run though an AR.

 

[aviator41]

What part of setting up the dies is giving you trouble and which die in particular?

What model progressive press are you using?

 

[Dozermonkey]

Lyman case trimmer. No drill adapter ..yet.
I'm loading Hornady 55 gr fmj bt. With cannelure
My brass is a mix.
Press is old Hornady Projector.
My crimps are not tight in my opinion.
My case OAL vary from 2.216- 2.196-98

 

[Dozermonkey]

I started trimming because my prior attempt to load, I would mushroom cases but not all the time. Some would seat beautifully. Some , not so much. I did all of my decapping separately on an RCBS Partner and then would resize on the Hornady, then take the shell to the trimmer and then back to loading. I'm a cluster , I know

 

[okietom]

I suggest you reread your loading manual looking for something you might be missing. Measure your cases and only trim the ones that are too long. Or trim to the shorter end of the spec range and trim more of them.

I would need more info to be able to tell you why your trimming efforts are not consistent. Is your trimmer sharp? Are you using consistent pressure? What type trimmer are you using? I may not be able to give you answers based on equipment you use but some one else might.

I am wondering why you are mushrooming cases.

Go back through die adjusting in your manual. You might find a clue in there. Your variations in case length isn't good for consistency.

Are you chamfering after trimming?

 

[Dozermonkey]

I am chamfering and that makes ask the question, am I chamfering to much ? Re no tight crimp. For today I think its time to walk away and breath. Or shoot something
Thanks to you and aviator for the reply. I will go back to the books and the web but I gotta walk away from this bench for now.

 

[Dozermonkey]

Okietom , off topic. Every time I see the town of Geary , I think of the time I had to drive from Camp Gruber to Geary just to drag a lazy AWOL soldier to summer camp. That's a slow trip in a HMMV

 

[scottb42]

I had a Lyman Universal Case Trimmer - at least that's what I think they called that model - and had the same problem with inconsistent trim lengths. I would get much better results by inserting the case into the universal jaws but not tightening the lock collar until I had pushed the trimmer head/pilot into the case first, then locking the collar. By locking it first I think the case was slightly chanted to the cutter blade, leaving one side of the case mouth a little longer than the opposite side.

The other thing that has helps is to apply consistent pressure on the cutter.

 

[Dozermonkey]

Seems we are using the same method.