hello all,

so I did some fire forming for a 35WAI last week and went to resize with Redding dies. the directions state to set the die down to the shellholder and back off 1/2 turn and then incrementially run the die in until the shoulder is bumped.

I sharpie markered 5 shells and none of the shells were touched on the shoulder even with the die set to touch the shellholder, they resize pretty much the entire neck.

I checked a lot of the cases before firing and they would show a thin bright ring on the shoulder when chambered and not fired, so I know the headspace is good. I didn't get any split necks and all of the once-fired cases chamber easily.

My fireforming loads weren't full power, so I guess my question is does it take a couple of firings for the shoulder to fully expand and develop?

My guess is that it might take a firing or two to get the shoulder fully formed, but you guys have probably forgotten more than I'll ever know on this subject, so your guidance is appreciated.

added info: I had some brass shim stock laying around (.0025") and when i put one piece in I can just barely feel a little resistance, 2 pieces I get more and a little shoulder marking; with 3 pieces I have to lean on the bolt a bit to get it fully engaged and the shoulder is fully marked.

thanks,
irwin

I would reload and keep checking. I've had dies that would contact the shell holder and not touch the shoulder on first firing even with std chambers.

Irwin loading and firing a couple of your fireformed cases a second time should tell if the shoulder has moved out as far as it is going.I would suggest you use a load that is within a grain or two of a max load for the std 35 W. That should move that shoulder to where it should be. Low pressure fireforming loads can create problems for you. Hope this helps

I am going to asumme that you have a .35 Whelen Ackley Imp. My suggestion is similar to others. Use a fire form load that is close to max for the standard Whelen or use a fast burning powder like 2400 and a parafin plug. The last method is how I fire form brass for my 7mm Mashburn. If you are still having problems after fire forming and then firing a full power load, call Redding and then send them 3 fired cases and you sizing die.
I hope this helps.

being that the shoulder is so short on the improved version, it's going to take a few firings at good pressurs for the brass to form tightly to the chamber shape. i would think the brass needs to be fully developed before it will come in contact with the shoulder in the die. with the step so small any small amount of deviation from fully developed is going to make a gap and no contact, providing headspace is not long and it sounds like it's not.. i never bump the shoulder on any of my improved cases, only neck size, never have any shoulder problems with the ackleys, that's whole bassis of the design. the smaller the shoulder the less need to bump it as well, because it doesn't move at all.