Reloading 303 with crimp

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   I believe the biggest question some of us have here edteach is, Are you actually resizing the cases and that includes the neck as well? Even with the Lee Loader Whack-A-Mole that doesn't have an expander ball you still get a decently resized neck so your comment that the bullet easily pushes back into the case is a little concerning due to you stating that you are using Lee Dies...

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Goosic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8167	Post Options Post Reply Quote Goosic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 18 2023 at 2:34pm
	I believe the biggest question some of us have here edteach is, Are you actually resizing the cases and that includes the neck as well? Even with the Lee Loader Whack-A-Mole that doesn't have an expander ball you still get a decently resized neck so your comment that the bullet easily pushes back into the case is a little concerning due to you stating that you are using Lee Dies...

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britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 5590	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 18 2023 at 3:06pm
	Yup, something not right here, a crimping die is not the best way to address the issue. Crimping rifle cartridges seems to have been in favor 20+ years ago, but I don’t know anyone reloading for current and historic/vintage service rifles who crimp the cases, not even for the M1 and AR rifles. My own tests showed no improvement in accuracy, and on occasion, detrimental to accuracy if cases are not all trimmed to the exact same length and crimps were moderate to heavy. Crimping a bullet loose in the case, no telling what the results will be. We have given our best advice, but sometimes we have to learn these things on our own.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 16513	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 18 2023 at 4:05pm
	I noticed he says "with a set of Lee dies", that doesn't sound like a Whack-a-mole to me but a press & dies. That would mean an resizing die of some kind with an expander ball. I'd like to see the diameter of the mic'd somewhere. Preferably with a "before" & "after" case neck I.D. too. That seem to be the real problem.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 5590	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 18 2023 at 4:39pm
	Agree, something not right with the reloading dies if the bullets can easily be pushed into the case. Standard dies should give sufficient neck tension such that the bullets can’t LE pushed into the case with 30 lbs of force. I typically measure 45 lbs with .002 inches of interference on .308 Win loads in my arbor press with force pack gage. .303 will be very similar.

Goosic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8167	Post Options Post Reply Quote Goosic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 21 2023 at 5:31am
	After repeated testing using full length and neck sizing only dies from Lyman, RCBS, Redding, and Lee, I can safely attest to the fact that in all probabilities, it is not the dies. The only way I was able to duplicate the OP's issue was to NOT resize the case or the case neck and instead, just use the seating die only. If you disregard the loading procedure with a Lee-Loader "Whack-A-Mole" and go straight to the seating step, you get the same results. Recheck to make certain that the resizing die is correctly adjusted to the make of your reloading press, especially if you are using the Lee Collet dies...

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 16513	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 21 2023 at 10:07am
	Easy way to tell is "smoke smudge" the case then run it into the die as you would when loading normally. the soot should be removed as the die resizes then expands the neck inside & out. That will tell you the amount & position of the resizing die's contact, simple inside & outside diameters measured with a caliper will tell you the diameters.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)