270 WSM sizing issues

[BeardownAZ]

Anyone have any issues sizing any of the WSM calibers? I am using new RCBS full length sizing dies. Even after trimmed, It is quite snug closing the bolt on the rifle. It will close but definitely tighter then factory loads. Enough so that its obviously not right. Searched alot of forums and this seems to be common issue in alot of the WSM and WSSM calibers. I have tried dropping the die even farther down, no difference no matter were the die is seated in the press. It seems its not completely sizing all the way down. I have read that small base dies are the way to go, I also read that grinding down the shell holder or going to Redding Competition shell holders work. Of course some say its the die, others say no. Before I go out grinding anything or spending money on more stuff that they may not work, I wanted to see some of your experiences. Thanks

[Hoofnit]

So a couple things, first what press are you using? it will be harder to get your brass sized completely without a strong "O" frame press (think RCBS Rockchucker).

Second what case lube are you using, like a lot of stuff lube matters 😉 (imperial sizing wax is best but there are others).

Third is it the body of the cartridge that's too big or is the shoulder not getting bumped back? color the neck and shoulder first with a sharpie (I like black) and cycle it through the chamber and see if it's contacting, if not then try the body (this is the only place a small base sizer will help).

Fourth, when setting your sizer die up are you running the press ram all the way up and setting the die against it? Some case / die / press combinations require that the sizing die be preloaded a bit (like a quarter to a half turn of the die past contact with the ram) to effectively cause the ram to cam over slightly, this will preload the frame usually resulting in the die to contact the shell holder during sizing.

Fifth, head space on modern cartridges is a relatively small tolerance ( usually .003 to .006") so so grinding down a die or shell holder can easily cause excess headspace, a separated case due to excessive headspace is a bad experience!

Hope this helps

[BeardownAZ]

47 minutes ago, Hoofnit said:

So a couple things, first what press are you using? it will be harder to get your brass sized completely without a strong "O" frame press (think RCBS Rockchucker).

Second what case lube are you using, like a lot of stuff lube matters 😉 (imperial sizing wax is best but there are others).

Third is it the body of the cartridge that's too big or is the shoulder not getting bumped back? color the neck and shoulder first with a sharpie (I like black) and cycle it through the chamber and see if it's contacting, if not then try the body (this is the only place a small base sizer will help).

Fourth, when setting your sizer die up are you running the press ram all the way up and setting the die against it? Some case / die / press combinations require that the sizing die be preloaded a bit (like a quarter to a half turn of the die past contact with the ram) to effectively cause the ram to cam over slightly, this will preload the frame usually resulting in the die to contact the shell holder during sizing.

Fifth, head space on modern cartridges is a relatively small tolerance ( usually .003 to .006") so so grinding down a die or shell holder can easily cause excess headspace, a separated case due to excessive headspace is a bad experience!

Hope this helps

Yes this all helps, thanks. Reloaded other calibers before(308, 223) never had any issues. So its a learning experience. Haven't actually completed a load with this round due to finding this problem first. 

1. Lee classic-O style

2. RCBS case lube

3. I will try this

4. Yes done this and retried mulitple times just to be sure- Way over cammed just to see, still nothing 

5. Yeah I could see that going wrong real quick-didnt like that suggestion from the get go

[450Dakota]

What brand of brass are you using?

[BeardownAZ]

Winchester nickel plated and some federal brass- Both previously shot out of the rifle I am loading for. Neither seem to act any different in terms f running through the press and dies or the rifle

[5guyshunting]

effectively cause the ram to cam over slightly, this will preload the frame usually resulting in the die to contact the shell holder during sizing.

This worked for me with 270 wsm. I had the same issue your experiencing.

[BeardownAZ]

6 minutes ago, 5guyshunting said:

effectively cause the ram to cam over slightly, this will preload the frame usually resulting in the die to contact the shell holder during sizing.

This worked for me with 270 wsm. I had the same issue your experiencing.

How did you get to that? Nothing I've done has helped 

[Ernesto C]

Have you try turning the necks? Maybe you have a tight chamber?

[L Cazador]

4 hours ago, BeardownAZ said:

Anyone have any issues sizing any of the WSM calibers? I am using new RCBS full length sizing dies. Even after trimmed, It is quite snug closing the bolt on the rifle. It will close but definitely tighter then factory loads. Enough so that its obviously not right. Searched alot of forums and this seems to be common issue in alot of the WSM and WSSM calibers. I have tried dropping the die even farther down, no difference no matter were the die is seated in the press. It seems its not completely sizing all the way down. I have read that small base dies are the way to go, I also read that grinding down the shell holder or going to Redding Competition shell holders work. Of course some say its the die, others say no. Before I go out grinding anything or spending money on more stuff that they may not work, I wanted to see some of your experiences. Thanks

Is this a factory rifle? What brand? Redding competition shell holders aren't going to help you they go the other direction and reduce bump in two thousands increments, Do you have a Hornady headspace guage to measure bump? Lose the RCBS lube and try sizing with Redding sizing die wax. Lube the entire case with the sizing die wax and try running the case quickly into the die then let it dwell for a few seconds in the die before extracting the case. Letting the case dwell a bit longer reduces brass springback. If this still doesn't give you desired bump, you'll have to grind the shell holder down. Are you using a RCBS brand shell holder or a different brand? RCBS dies should be used with RCBS shell holders. Also make sure the ram and shell holder are in firm contact with the bottom of the die.

[Couzer]

48 minutes ago, 5guyshunting said:

effectively cause the ram to cam over slightly, this will preload the frame usually resulting in the die to contact the shell holder during sizing.

This worked for me with 270 wsm. I had the same issue your experiencing.

Do this, then check the length to see if it needs to be trimmed again. And like Ernesto said check your necks. I had the same issue with my brothers Kimber 270 wsm. 

[BeardownAZ]

18 minutes ago, L Cazador said:

Is this a factory rifle? What brand? Redding competition shell holders aren't going to help you they go the other direction and reduce bump in two thousands increments, Do you have a Hornady headspace guage to measure bump? Lose the RCBS lube and try sizing with Redding sizing die wax. Lube the entire case with the sizing die wax and try running the case quickly into the die then let it dwell for a few seconds in the die before extracting the case. Letting the case dwell a bit longer reduces brass springback. If this still doesn't give you desired bump, you'll have to grind the shell holder down. Are you using a RCBS brand shell holder or a different brand? RCBS dies should be used with RCBS shell holders. Also make sure the ram and shell holder are in firm contact with the bottom of the die.

yes, a factory Win m70 sporter. Lee shell holder. No headspace gauge. I will get a RCBS shell holder and the sizing die wax, you're the second or third person to recommend the wax.  

[L Cazador]

Winchester model 70 sporter should have a generous chamber and not a tight chamber but things happen. If you have a caliper take it along when you buy the shell holder. Measure the Lee from top to bottom and don't buy the RCBS unless it's shorter than the Lee. Going to Brunos is your best option as they have Redding, RCBS, and Lee shell holders. And if you don't have a caliper Jason Bruno or someone there can measure your Lee holder and also measure the RCBS and Redding. If you can't get to Brunos I guess you'll just have to take a chance. I'm in Tucson if you're close I could help. 

[Bill V]

I had this problem with a 270. I tried different dies, hard bumps, long delays while sizing and all to no avail. I finally reduced a RCBS shell holder from 0.501 to 0.495 and the problem was solved.  May not work for everyone but might be worth a try.

 

Bill

[Riversnake]

Do you have calipers? And the hornady comparater set. If not I suggest buying these. To properly set up your dies and know what you are doing when you resize your brass.  Hope this helps.

[BeardownAZ]

Have calipers but no comparator set. I’ll eventually get some. Using a Lee trim gauge, caliber specific, right now and then manually(calipers) checking specs.  The base is alittle out of spec, like it’s not sizing all the way down. A gunsmith tonight told me it would likely be ok if it’s closing the way I described it but that it sounded like it is just a little off specs and likely a tighter then usual factory chamber with something alittle off, thus why factory ammo works but resized ammo not.