Difference Between a Case Guage and a Chamber Checker?

[sasquatch981]

So I have borrowed a buddies LE Wilson Case Guage to use while setting up a 1050 to prep .223 brass, and I have an EGW Chamber Checker Guage. Here is the set-up.

Universsal Decapper

Swage

Empty

Size and Trim with 1200

Empty

Neck Size to clear any shavings.

Now when I use the Wilson Case guage 90% of the rounds drop right in and fall out when turned over. The neck is trimmed to just below the edge of the rim. Some rounds (5%) when inserted fall in, but the last 1/8 to 3/16 of the case is still sitting above the flat edge. A gentle push will then seat the round in the guage, again measuring the proper length, but I need to "poke" them out of the guage gently. I would say may 1-2 cases per 100 or so simply will not fit the guage at all.

I run these same checked rounds through my EGW chamber checker and I seem to get the same results.

When I load these rounds, they shoot fine out of my MSAR, and Buddies AR with Noveske Barrel. However when I borrowed a buddies Colt CRP-18 for a local 3-gun match, it worked fine for 6-rounds, then turned into a bolt action. Borrowing another rifle, the same ammo worked fine the rest of the day.

So, what am I doing wrong, and what do I need to do to make the brass dependable in "every" rifle I might shoot just like factory ammo would?

The brass used is mixed once fired. Any help would be appreciated.

[MickB]

Is your EGW gauge 5.56 or .223? The .223 is tighter (I have used both). Case gauges like the Dillon just check for case dimensions and are not a true chamber gauge. What fits a case gauge may not fit a chamber gauge. I would say that the Colt has a tight chamber. You will probably have to invest in a full length sizing die. I tried the neck sizer followed by the RT1200, but found my reloads were more consistent when using a full length resizing die...

[kampr]

what do I need to do to make the brass dependable in "every" rifle I might shoot just like factory ammo would?

The brass used is mixed once fired.

I also use range brass.

I've always used a small base die when loading for my AR's until it started scratching cases. (my fault for being lazy and not cleaning it) I replaced it with a full length die I had on the shelf and started having the same issues in two of my rifles with tight cambers. I bought another sb die and problems went away.

[sasquatch981]

Are you guys suggesting the use of a small base die "after" the trim station, thus sizing the case twice? Also what small base die would you recommend?

[RiggerJJ]

Dillon full length (i use a carbide just 'cause) with neck expander/decapper in station one, do 90% of the sizing there. Then the final 10% in the trim die. No need for the neck die after the trim. Then in the loading head use the swage holddown rod for a slight bell and removing the inside burr. After seating remove the bell.with a tiny crimp....

Try it you may like it...

jj

[MickB]

I do something very close to this. Tool head 1 is the same, except I use a Lee universal expander in station 5 to very slightly flare the mouth. In tool head 2, station 1 has a Lee universal decapping die to simply remove any leftover cleaning media.

Dillon full length (i use a carbide just 'cause) with neck expander/decapper in station one, do 90% of the sizing there. Then the final 10% in the trim die. No need for the neck die after the trim. Then in the loading head use the swage holddown rod for a slight bell and removing the inside burr. After seating remove the bell.with a tiny crimp....

Try it you may like it...

jj

Edited November 26, 2012 by MickB

[Akkid17]

Is there a problem with resizing then trimming to desired length? I'm just curious because I've seen a lot of people saying they trim then size.

Also, here is my process let me know if there are any glaring problems:

(All cases cleaned and lubed first using dillon case lube)

Deprime/resize (rcbs small base die)

Trim to length (~1.745)

Swage mil brass (dillon super swage)

Chamfer and debur case mouth (by hand or with rcbs case center)

- toss prepped brass in tumbler 15-30 min to clean off lube -

Then load them up with the various bullet/powder/oal recipes I am trying out

As a side note I have been using federal small rifle primers, does anyone know if they are any good. I use primarily fed in pistol and have had great results there but everywhere I looks has several thousand fed srp's but very little if any of any other brand.

Thanks for your help