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Hi, New to reloading, first attempt!

After full sizing once used Sako cases for 308, I found that when offering the bullet head to the resized case that its a very tight fit. Is this normal? Not put a load in yet just trying things prior to finishing the load. Using Lee ultimate die set. also if this is the norm, is it necessary to crimp after seating the bullet?

many thanks Alex

Not surprised its a tight fit if you are trying to put your head in the case.

dromia wrote:Not surprised its a tight fit if you are trying to put your head in the case.

Have you trimmed the case to length then chamferred the inside and de-burred the outside of the neck?

What bullet are you using? jacketed or cast lead?, flat base or boat tail?

Crimping, with sufficient neck tension crimping for a "normal" bolt action rifle is optional, some (me included) like to use a Lee factory crimp as we find it reduces extreme spread on velocities, just make sure you read the setup instructions.

If you're using a rifle with a tube-fed magazine then a roll over crimp into the cannelure is advised

phaedra1106 wrote:

dromia wrote:Not surprised its a tight fit if you are trying to put your head in the case.

Have you trimmed the case to length then chamferred the inside and de-burred the outside of the neck?

What bullet are you using? jacketed or cast lead?, flat base or boat tail?

Crimping, with sufficient neck tension crimping for a "normal" bolt action rifle is optional, some (me included) like to use a Lee factory crimp as we find it reduces extreme spread on velocities, just make sure you read the setup instructions.

If you're using a rifle with a tube-fed magazine then a roll over crimp into the cannelure is advised

Yes Chamferred and de burred, using jacketed speer boat tailed. just feels very tight when offering to the case, is that normal?

Should take a little bit of force, nothing you can't do using one finger to work the press.

Have you measured your case neck dimensions?, it doesn't happen often but you may have got a die with the wrong expander mandrel in it.

My typical FLS RWS 308 cases measure (roughly) 0.334" OD and 0.302" ID.

You say you're offering the bullet to the case, are you just doing so by hand?

It would take a fair amount of force to push a bullet in by hand - when you seat the bullet (using your press) you're stretching the neck out from the size you set it with the die. it's this stretch/friction that holds the bullet in, it can of course be crimped for extra security, but I've never needed to with target ammunition.

The accepted terminology for the projectile is bullet, not heads. The head of a cartridge is the bit with the stamp on it noting the calibre that the primer goes into - hence dromias facetious response.

phaedra1106 wrote:Should take a little bit of force, nothing you can't do using one finger to work the press.

Have you measured your case neck dimensions?, it doesn't happen often but you may have got a die with the wrong expander mandrel in it.

My typical FLS RWS 308 cases measure (roughly) 0.334" OD and 0.302" ID.

Will check
Thanks

TattooedGun wrote:You say you're offering the bullet to the case, are you just doing so by hand?

It would take a fair amount of force to push a bullet in by hand - when you seat the bullet (using your press) you're stretching the neck out from the size you set it with the die. it's this stretch/friction that holds the bullet in, it can of course be crimped for extra security, but I've never needed to with target ammunition.

The accepted terminology for the projectile is bullet, not heads. The head of a cartridge is the bit with the stamp on it noting the calibre that the primer goes into - hence dromias facetious response.

Yes just by hand, I was worried that it felt a bit tight

Thanks for the info

What does your reloading manual say about bullet/case neck tension?

dromia wrote:What does your reloading manual say about bullet/case neck tension?

Mine says "see myths and legends"