So i use a lee timmer to trim 257 Roberts cases, and all my cases for that matter. i noticed that the neck was wobbling out of round. well being the accuracy nut i am i didn't think that was very good! So i went and rolled the same case on the table top and noticed that the cartridge base what not perpendicular to the case body. I think i should cull wobble cases out?? anyone experienced unexplainable flyers and noticed they were shooting crooked brass?? Seems to me it wouldn't impact the bolt face the same as a straight piece of brass, resulting in a variation and i hate variations with a passion. I'm shooting Winchester brass. Thanks a bunch. New to this forum so Howdy everyone

Could you be a little more clear?

What are you using for a reloading press and what dies?

When you say, "the cartridge base what not perpendicular to the case body", what do you mean?

Were these cases previously fired in your rife?

Steve has asked the needed info to be able to begin to find out what is wrong or what caused it.

I have noticed the same thing with my Lee trimmer. I think a lot of it is due to the fact that I dont get the shell all the way in to the shell holder. They wobble horribly. If you unscrew the shell holder a half turn and then push the brass in until it stops they won't wobble nearly as much. Try the same caes three or four times and it will probably look different each time you spin it.

Have you full length resized these cases? try that before you discard any. You may also want to fire them once and check the brass after a second sizing. They may fireform to fit your chamber (assuming its straight).

If they still wobble try running them through a guage that measures neck runout. I wouldn't discard them due just because they look bad in the Lee trimmer. The runout guage will provide you with an accurate measure of concentricity between the neck and base of the case.

quote:

Originally posted by Nate D:
So i use a lee timmer to trim 257 Roberts cases, and all my cases for that matter. i noticed that the neck was wobbling out of round. well being the accuracy nut i am i didn't think that was very good! So i went and rolled the same case on the table top and noticed that the cartridge base what not perpendicular to the case body. I think i should cull wobble cases out?? anyone experienced unexplainable flyers and noticed they were shooting crooked brass?? Seems to me it wouldn't impact the bolt face the same as a straight piece of brass, resulting in a variation and i hate variations with a passion. I'm shooting Winchester brass. Thanks a bunch. New to this forum so Howdy everyone

Steve is asking for more info,give more info.(dies,FL or neck sizing etc...)WELCOME...

I use the lee trimmer and with the case locked in the holder I even use it on electric drill and have not noticed any wobbling except if the case is off center in the holder. When using it in my hand I have never noticed any wobble and the case mouth comes out square everytime. The most expensive and best made trimmers in the world will wobble if they are not set up square. Give some more info.

Nate,

First, find out what is crooked.

Are fired cases straight ?
If fired cases show alot of runout, the guns chamber could be the problem.

Start with a straight piece of brass.

Next check the brass as it comes from the sizer die. Still straight ?

If so check the trim to see if thats where the problem starts, a case mouth that is longer on one side than the other is hard to seat a bullet in straight.

Finally check again to see if the problem occurs only when you seat a bullet.

dies can cause problems if they are machined badly ( I have not seen many of these ) or misadjusted ( the expander assembly is often the problem here )

To center the expander assembly in the case, first raise the ram to it's fully raised position with a piece of brass in it, and loosen and then tighten the die adjustment nut, then lower ram, and as the expander ball catches the neck, loosen , then tighten the expander assembly. This helps center the assembly in the die.

There are several other things that can also cause problems with concentricity.
But this is a starting point in troubleshooting your problem.


Just o2...


Travis F.

I'm only neck sizing with a lee collet die. i haven't had to full length size these cases. Thank you everyone that replied. i appreciate the input. i'm use to getting email notification of replies to questions i post on forums and had to go looking fo the forum i posted this question on. I'm gonna pay more attention to my loading practices and see what may be causing the wobble and go from there.

Nate, just send me the rifle and the cases (post paid) and I'll take care of it. It would only take but 10 or 15 years and maybe I'll might send it back, maybe, somehow.

Oh OK Bill Mighty fine. You keep lookin' for that rifle its in the mail, along with the check from ed mcman!! Thanks for the offer.