223 full length resizing

[Ludders]

Hello
I’ve been full length resizing x2 fired 223 Lapua brass.
My lee die has been leaving some strange little flat spots.
What is causing these?? I’ve take the die apart and given it a good clean, I’ve also backed the die of a bit (less than quarter of a turn when touching the shell holder)
Never had this issue before. Is my brass getting hard? It’s quite hard to see in the picture

 

[Ludders]

Another image

 

[Milk no sugar please]

It looks like too much lube, hydraulic action causing the flat spots.

 

[Ludders]

Thanks I never thought of that. I did change the lube I used this time, from Lee to rbcs may be I was a bit heavy handed with it. Hopefully they will chamber ok and short them selves out on the next firing

 

[ColinBr]

Definitely too much lube. I did exactly the same when just starting out and looked exactly as yours

 

[User00057]

I had the same issue with 223 cases years ago and it was too much lube.

 

[ColinBr]

Thanks I never thought of that. I did change the lube I used this time, from Lee to rbcs may be I was a bit heavy handed with it. Hopefully they will chamber ok and short them selves out on the next firing

The will fireform back to original

 

[Ludders]

Thanks for the replies, every days a school day!!

 

[ColinBr]

Thanks for the replies, every days a school day!!

Definitely and please don't be afraid to ask any questions if needed.

That's what the forum is all about

 

[Ludders]

Very true

Definitely and please don't be afraid to ask any questions if needed.

That's what the forum is all about

Very true. That’s what’s great about the SD

 

[ColinBr]

Remember and set the die back to touching the shell holder again, or even better get some headspace gauges to check your fired brass and bump back the shoulder a couple of thousands of an inch.

 

[ColinBr]

I wish these were about when I first started reloading

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[jthyttin]

I’ve also backed the die of a bit (less than quarter of a turn when touching the shell holder)

Already suggested to find out how much exactly you need to size the shells, but just wanted to point out that reloading dies have 14 TPI thread so 1/4 turn equals 0.45mm.

The headspace in 223 is 0.10mm so if the shells you sized with die backed out will still fit your chamber -> shells sized when shellholder touches die are unnecessarily and even dangerously short at the shoulder (leading to stretching and eventual case head separation just above the base).