So, I just started reloading bottlenecked cartridges. 458 and 223 to be exact AND I really JUST YESTERDAY started to understand how those cartridges head space and I am trying to determine what to do with that knowledge. I will trim cases too, which I know doesn't effect head space on these cases, but I am a little muddy on the best way to address the shoulder.
So far I have run my sizing die all of the way down to the shell plate for 223/5.56. My theory is that the brass is from multiple chambers, be it 5.56 or 223 Wylde like mine, or whatever the guy next to me who left his brass was shooting. None of my guns are bolt rfles, so I need the shoulder set back further for increased reliability in the AR..? I have a Dillon head space gauge and was using it on the resized brass... BUT, now I am reading that you can push the shoulder back too far and increase head space too much thereby reducing case life and accuracy. SO, how would I know that? The case head would seat beyond flush in the case gauge? What is the best way to "average" it all out? How should I handle this?
I would contrast that to my 458, which is only fired in one rifle, so I should be able to check the resizing back to the one rifle's chamber and be done with it? My thought was to run the sizing die down to the shell holder plate, then back it off a half turn, followed by advancing small increments until the brass seems to just fit, not loosely? Should I get a case gauge instead? How should I view/handle this?
Don't think me lazy to ask it on INGO... I spent hours trying to figure this out, now I want someone who knows more about it to check my logic.
Thanks
So far I have run my sizing die all of the way down to the shell plate for 223/5.56. My theory is that the brass is from multiple chambers, be it 5.56 or 223 Wylde like mine, or whatever the guy next to me who left his brass was shooting. None of my guns are bolt rfles, so I need the shoulder set back further for increased reliability in the AR..? I have a Dillon head space gauge and was using it on the resized brass... BUT, now I am reading that you can push the shoulder back too far and increase head space too much thereby reducing case life and accuracy. SO, how would I know that? The case head would seat beyond flush in the case gauge? What is the best way to "average" it all out? How should I handle this?
I would contrast that to my 458, which is only fired in one rifle, so I should be able to check the resizing back to the one rifle's chamber and be done with it? My thought was to run the sizing die down to the shell holder plate, then back it off a half turn, followed by advancing small increments until the brass seems to just fit, not loosely? Should I get a case gauge instead? How should I view/handle this?
Don't think me lazy to ask it on INGO... I spent hours trying to figure this out, now I want someone who knows more about it to check my logic.
Thanks