Clay

I'm definitely hooked now that's for sure

Oh yeah my hunting bullet of choice

Still new to reloading as this was just my second time out but the groups I got were pretty good. I purchased a box of "blem" 165 sst from midway that were on sale to try out for a possible hunting load this fall. Here was my best group of the day. 41 grains of tac with 165 sst, lake city brass, cci primers. Trim length 2.005 Overall length 2.780 (base of cannelure)

Oh yeah will do for sure. Appreciate all the help from everyone

Great news! After readjusting my dies I was able to get a dummy round with Remington and perfecta brass to chamber and extract!

It's a Lyman gauge and I don't understand that either unless I'm using the gauge wrong but it seems like a fool proof setup lol I did get a Wilson gauge for my 6.5 Grendel since it was the only one I could find. And I will say that since I bought the Lyman I have read more negative reviews about it than the Wilson

Yup you're correct about that. My gunsmith thinks it may be a burr in my barrel causing the problems but I haven't had problems with any factory ammo and the gun is accurate so don't think that's the case. I was at gander mountain and they had a RCBS small base AR series die on sale so I went ahead and got it since I will need one for reloading once fired stuff if I buy any of that. They also had ready to load brass on sale for 12.95 for 50 pieces so I got three of them as well. If I can't get it to extract with my lee die I'll give the small base a try

Okay here are the instructions keep in mind I am using the Lee Hand Press, not a regular stationary press. "Insert a Breech Lock bushing and screw the sizing die in until it touches the shell holder and moves the lever off the stop 1 ⁄4”. When properly positioned, tighten the lock ring." I did this last time but this time I actually got a measuring stick and made sure the lever was off the stop 1/4" instead of just eyeballing it. I resized one of my cases again and I did feel a tiny bit of resistance so maybe that will correct it. Me and my fiance are babysitting our twin nieces today so won't be able to test it just yet. If that doesn't work should I still lower the ram and turn another 1/4 turn? I don't want to press the shoulder back to far

No I don't believe so. I don't remember reading that last part in my instructions but could've missed it. I will definitely give it a try though. I'll also use some Remington brass this time as well

I set them at 2.795 which is what my factory load is as well. Yes the bottom of the die is touching my shell holder so I believe I have it set up correctly. its sounding like the small base die may be needed I should've just went that route from the get go lol

I really like this little press so far I don't think my problem has anything to do with it

Looks like my resized brass is about a thousands larger at the base. I chamber an empty resized brass and it extracted although not very smoothly

Okay I chamber a resized brass and it did extract okay not the smoothiest but didn't lock up like when it had a seated bullet. What could this mean?

Yes but not a ton I haven't had it long. I'd say 150-200 rounds is all that's been through it

Could I possibly be pushing the shoulder back too far when I crimp? What's the best way to tell if the shoulder is properly set back? Measure from base to shoulder?

Yes full length not small base. Will do

I cleaned and lubed the chamber, found a perfecta case that was already right on 2.005 and seated a bullet with no powder/primer. Resluts were the same, chambered fine but bolt is locked. I used Lee Full length. With the brass being cheap stuff ( PPU and perfecta) could that be the problem?

Okay I will trim a dummy round to 2.005 and see. I just assumed as long as I was in spec I was good to go. Yes I had the headspace check by a gunsmith. Since it fits my case gauge it's safe to assume that the case is in fact resized correctly?

Hey y'all I have a little problem on my hands and would like your insight. I loaded about 30 rounds of hornady 155 hpbt for my AR308 using a lee hand press and lee dies. I was also using once fired ppu brass that I have been collecting that was fired from the same rifle I am reloading for. I resized and checked with my Lyman case gauge and they all passed. The brass was a little longer than I would've liked (2.011) but still within spec so I didn't trim. After loading them at 2.795 coal I thought that I should chamber one to ensure that I had crimped it properly. In hindsight I should've done this with a dummy round but I didn't think of it at the time. Anyways I put one in the mag pulled back the charging handle and the round chambered just like new so again I thought everything was okay. Then when I went to eject the round the was bcg was stuck and would only move back around 1/4 of an inch or so. I took it to my local gunsmith and got the round out. After inspection the bullet had some pretty bad markings on it. I loaded another reload round that was shorter (2.650 coal) and it did the same thing. We then loaded some of his match hornady amax and it ejected fine but the markings on the bullet were again present. He believes that I resized correctly and that my barrel may have a burr but why would the factory ammo eject and my reloads wouldn't? Thoughts?

I agree she is! It does seem to be a nice press although I did encounter a problem. I'm actually gonna to start a new thread about it. All of your imput would be much appreciated

My fiance actually suprised me with a Lee Hand Press kit for my bday. Since we live in a small apartment she thought that would be better than a stationary press.Anyways I loaded up about 30 rounds with 155 grain hornady hpbt and was suprised at how good and easy to use the little hand press is. I'm still waiting on my buddy with the Lyman but if he doesn't come through at least I can reload now lol

Oh yeah I've definitely looked at some other presses just in case. The Lee Anniversary kit on midway is on sale for $116 and it's very tempting to go ahead and get it to say the least

This is one reason why leaning toward the lee set since this die is included.

Yes I'm definitely excited about it. Been reading a lot of here and other sites. The suspense is killing me though lol

Once I get my feet wet I may get that Redding seating die with the micrometer built in but don't want to get that right off the bat