Reloading Confusion

[tarantulaman]

I have just started reloading for my Swiss K31 (7.5*55) but am having some unexpected problems. This is my first time reloading rifle ammunition.

I am using a Redding Deluxe die set and a Lee Turret press.

The process I followed was basically:

1) I fired factory PPU ammunition in my rifle so it was fire formed.
2) I then cleaned and neck sized the brass.
3) I trimmed the cases using a Lee deluxe quick trim (with chamfer).
4) Finally I primed, and finished the reloading process.

I only reloaded about 20 rounds, which it turns out was a good idea.

Approximately 30% of the bullets were easily pushed down into the case with pretty minimal pressure, the others seemed to have good neck tension and might have been ok. But I did not want to risk it and pulled all of them.

I then tried again with some neck sized and others full length resized.

I had pretty much the same results, some bullets very tight in position while approx. 30% again being easily pushed into the case.

I must say I am confused about the cause. My only suspicion is that the trimming using the Lee deluxe quick trim has damaged/weakened the necks of the cases. I could of course be completely wrong but I did manage to destroy a couple of cases as the chamfering was very uneven. I was not impressed with the trimmer.

If anyone has any ideas, they would be much appreciated.

[pe4king]

What bullets are you using ?.

[kennyc]

first up, full length size!
your K31 is a battle rifle and although neck sizing will give that last bit of accuracy it will also bring with it all sorts of greif in the form of rounds that won't load/extract! you are starting out, no need to make life harder on you than it needs to be.
I have always full sized 7.5x55, I have always used PPU brass and have never had your problem, I am not sure how you could have damaged the necks so that they were loose? sounds more like the neck sizing Die isn't set correctly? or you have some poorly sized bullets ? I use PPU 174 grn 7.5 bullets and don't have any problems.
I have read a lot of "facts" about which dies are best and how best to use them, personally I stick to K.I.S.S and full length to 1911 spec which is slightly smaller than K31 spec, and gives good extraction and accurate rounds, case life hasn't been an issue as most of my brass is on its 7-8th loading and I have had,from memory 1 split neck, although I do anneal.
make sure all your brass is the same manufacturer and full length resize, making sure the press bottoms out on the stroke.
use the cheap calibre specific Lee trimmer and then see how the bullets seat.
PS what bullets and powder are you using ?

[Alpha1]

K.I.S.S ?

Throw the lee trimmer in the bin for starters. I suggest you concentrate on full length sizing for now. If you have got the die set up right and the bullets are the right size you should be fine. What size and type of bullet are you using.
Howe did you manage to destroy a couple of cases and how uneven was the champher. What length did you trim them to and were did you get the data from you used to determine your case length. Were did you obtain your reloading data.

[phaedra1106]

K.I.S.S ?

Keep It Simple Stupid

It's highly unlikely the Lee deluxe quick trim has damaged the necks, even on its highest setting it shouldn't cut below SAAMI spec case length.

[Alpha1]

Thank you.

[HALODIN]

I would guess there's a very slight variance in the length of the cases and you're slightly crimping some of them. You probably need to back the seating die out another 1/2 turn. I have been advised not to crimp rifle cartridges. The only other thought is neck tension varies from case to case in my experience, I now use a Sinclair expander die mandrel to make sure my neck tension is uniform, this may help you.

In terms of neck v full length resizing, I started to neck size as soon as I started reloading, but I soon noticed every 5-6th reload, they needed full length resizing for the extraction and bolt closing reasons mentioned above. Cheaper brass will probably need full length resizing more frequently.

[Mezzer]

I use the same kit as you do and have had no issues.

As stated previously on the thread you should ALWAYS full-length resize this cartridge.
Set the Redding die as per instructions.
Trim to length
Be wary of the COL with this round. The K31's have short throats and there is plenty of excellent guidance available on the Swiss Rifles Forum regarding this issue. Other than that there is nothing unusual about reloading for this calibre.

Mezzer

[tarantulaman]

I am using Sierra 168gn HPBT match bullets.

As for the Lee trimmer, you just buy a die for a specific calibre, no adjustment needed. Although you can make it trim a little shorter if required. A couple of cases had pretty severe undulations of the rim of the neck, maybe 1-2mm, I wondered if some brass shavings had made the chamfer blades stick.

The neck sizing die is screwed down to meet the shell holder, no other adjustment is available.

As for the full length resize die, I backed it off 1 turn as per the instructions. But this still had the same effect with the bullet able to brushed onto the case.

I am using the Redding dry lube media (for neck sizing) and I have some Redding Imperial sizing die wax for full length sizing. Should I clean the lube out of the necks before seating, could that cause this problem?

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

[tarantulaman]

Sorry, I meant I backed out the seating die 1 turn. The full length die meets the shell holder.