I have reloaded some 300 win mag rounds and the sizing die left the last .080 or so of the case about .007 oversize. I can get the bolt to close with a little effort. Are these rounds safe to shoot? The headspace is set to about .005 or less and the shells are not hot loads. The action is a vz24 if that matters.

Dismantle them to start over.

But it's not clear to me - the ctg headspaces on the band, not the shoulder - you mean the case o'all length is too long, the ctg o'all length is too long, or the case mouth is too wide and the bullet is upsetting?

Have you successfully handloaded before for this rifle using these press settings?

[ 03-11-2003, 06:26: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

I am new at reloading and I purchaced these dies used, the oversised place on the case is just above the band at the base of the shell,(I think the die is probobly worn out?) the cases were once fired from the same gun. I probobly need to get a little more info on hand loading. I think I should dismantle the few shells I loaded and get a new set of dies. thanks for the replys.

Bob,
a side note here. The only belted magnums that use the belt to headspace on are the H&H magnums. All other magnums headspace on the shoulders.

PaulS

Royce, if the only abnormality is that they're slightly oversize and assuming you can convince the gun to lock into battery, they should be safe to shoot.

I would hesitate to shoot them in a Browning BAR or any other auto in that caliber, though. The risk of an out-of-battery explosion is just too costly to this old service rifle shooter. You only have to see the results of one really good one to convince you!

Redial

Royce, not sure if anyone has addressed this or not, but I suspect that you don't have your sizing die adjusted properly. IF your brass has been fired in the same gun, then I would suggest that you only size the minimal amount. In my 300WM this translates to neck sizing only. It seems to me that your die is pushing the brass down, perhaps because you are pushing the shoulder back(?). I went through an exercise where I set up the die "high" (NOT following the instructions about touching the shellholder and setting it down half a turn etc. etc.)and then sizing a case and chambering it in the rifle. Repeating this exercise while lowering the die in between, allowed me to size the case minimally, while still sizing the neck enough to hold the bullet. I have reloaded many times and not had any kinds of problems (so far)! The rounds feed and chamber just fine. Accuracy is impressive. If you are really concerned, you can buy a die that will size right down to the belt. There are other threads that discuss this die. It costs around $80.
peter.

Can someone elaborate on what PaulS said? "only H&H magnums headspace on the belt".

Jim

H&H magnums have a large amount of taper to the cartridge case. The large amount of taper necessitated the belt for positive headspace. Adjust other less tapered belted magnum cases to headspace on the shoulder and just ignore the belt for better case life and much better accuracy. If you do adjust to headspace on the belt watch out for the shiny ring on the outside of the case which will be present after 3 firings or less. This ring warns of thinning of the brass on the inside of the case which may be felt with a wire formed into a hook.

The taper to the H&H designs does not matter headspace wise. It's the angle of the shoulder that might do it. The shoulder in the .300 H&H at eight degrees is not really adequate to provide positive headspace but the 15 degree shoulder on the .375 H&H is adequate.

The other belted magnums do not "headspace on the shoulder" unless the FL die is set special to do this. Unlike rimless cartridges they headspace on the belt only when the FL die is set to return the case to it's normal dimensions or on factory loads. This is the danger with belted cases as they take special attention.

[ 03-12-2003, 05:27: Message edited by: Savage99 ]

Thanks for the replys, Peter I think you got it right on the money. Ill try learning a little more about the technique before making a Magnum mistake. Thanks Alot.

All dies should be set properly whether belted or not. It should be part of your reloading routine.

Chuck