419 Zero Press Flexing??

[NevadaMike]

The short story is I am having a hard time bumping my Alpha 3X fired 6CM brass on the zero press with the Zero die. If I set it up like the video shows I get zero bump. Even if I thread it down all the way I get zero bump. My brass prep is to decap, anneal with Anneal Eze, tumble, and then trim with a Henderson trimmer. I am measuring with SAC comparators and Mitutoyo calipers.

The other evening over about 200 rounds I tried everything. I tried both Alpha lube and Redding. I tried all different manner of speeds when pressing the brass into the die. In the end, I had to press down on the die body with my left hand and then press hard on the ram. This gave me 1-4 thousandths but this is a hassle and my OCD would like more consistency.

Any suggestions? I am thinking I may need to upgrade my annealing or maybe even switch presses. I have a shoot this weekend and no doubt I will have some difficulty closing the bolt on a few rounds.

 

[wind gypsy]

Even if I thread it down all the way I get zero bump.

What do you mean by this? Screwing die all the way until it hits the ram at top of stroke? If so, have you tried screwing it in beyond that point to account for flex?

 

[Hondo64d]

The short story is I am having a hard time bumping my Alpha 3X fired 6CM brass on the zero press with the Zero die. If I set it up like the video shows I get zero bump. Even if I thread it down all the way I get zero bump. My brass prep is to decap, anneal with Anneal Eze, tumble, and then trim with a Henderson trimmer. I am measuring with SAC comparators and Mitutoyo calipers.

The other evening over about 200 rounds I tried everything. I tried both Alpha lube and Redding. I tried all different manner of speeds when pressing the brass into the die. In the end, I had to press down on the die body with my left hand and then press hard on the ram. This gave me 1-4 thousandths but this is a hassle and my OCD would like more consistency.

Any suggestions? I am thinking I may need to upgrade my annealing or maybe even switch presses. I have a shoot this weekend and no doubt I will have some difficulty closing the bolt on a few rounds.

What dies are you using? I have had more than one sizing die that I had to have a few .001s removed to bump the shoulder.

John

 

[waspocrew]

If you’re contacting the shell holder and camming over without change to your shoulder bump, generally grinding down the shell holder is cheaper than messing up an expensive die.

Here’s a possible solution though:

Zero Modular Shellholder System

As we have done round after round of press testing, both with the ZERO and other presses, we have known that the very best way to get consistent sizing time and again is to have contact between the shellholder and the die. This removes your ability, however, to dial in your shoulder bump – until...

www.area419.com

 

[Dmoua]

Take a few thousands off your shell holder or use a different press. I had the same issue when trying to size Alpha 6 Dasher brass with my zero press using Redding Type S bushing die.

 

[Dmoua]

If you’re contacting the shell holder and camming over without change to your shoulder bump, generally grinding down the shell holder is cheaper than messing up an expensive die.

However, I think the zero uses special shell holders, so grinding away on those isn’t the best idea either. Here’s a possible solution though:

Zero Modular Shellholder System

As we have done round after round of press testing, both with the ZERO and other presses, we have known that the very best way to get consistent sizing time and again is to have contact between the shellholder and the die. This removes your ability, however, to dial in your shoulder bump – until...

www.area419.com

The zero press uses standard shell holders.

 

[NevadaMike]

What do you mean by this? Screwing die all the way until it hits the ram at top of stroke? If so, have you tried screwing it in beyond that point to account for flex?

This is probably easier to see.

 

[NevadaMike]

What dies are you using? I have had more than one sizing die that I had to have a few .001s removed to bump the shoulder.

John

I am using the 419 M series and it comes with a specific shell holder. The micrometer head on top eliminated the shell holder variance problem as I understand it. I posted a video here.

 

[NevadaMike]

If you’re contacting the shell holder and camming over without change to your shoulder bump, generally grinding down the shell holder is cheaper than messing up an expensive die.

However, I think the zero uses special shell holders, so grinding away on those isn’t the best idea either. Here’s a possible solution though:

Zero Modular Shellholder System

As we have done round after round of press testing, both with the ZERO and other presses, we have known that the very best way to get consistent sizing time and again is to have contact between the shellholder and the die. This removes your ability, however, to dial in your shoulder bump – until...

www.area419.com

I have this set as well and I tried switching back to them and my Mighty Armory die and had the same problem. That is why I am wondering if my brass is tough and springing back or flexing the turret somehow.

 

[NevadaMike]

Take a few thousands off your shell holder or use a different press. I had the same issue when trying to size Alpha 6 Dasher brass with my zero press using Redding Type S bushing die.

I just found a link on Snipers where guys are discussing this and they are threading an additional expander mandrel die into one of the rear turret positions all they way down until they contact the aluminum body of the press. I guess in theory this keeps the front of the turret from flexing upwards. I am not sure I explained this well.

 

[Dmoua]

I just found a link on Snipers where guys are discussing this and they are threading an additional expander mandrel die into one of the rear turret positions all they way down until they contact the aluminum body of the press. I guess in theory this keeps the front of the turret from flexing upwards. I am not sure I explained this well.

That’s interesting. I don’t have any issues sizing Alpha 6.5CM or Norma 300 WSM brass with the zero press and Redding dies. It was only an issue with the dasher brass so I went back to my Rcbs press when sizing for the dasher. It was less of an headache than trying to shave down a shell holder to achieve the correct shoulder bump.

 

[Lawnboi]

I’d first call area 419. You have 2k tied up in a press and die, they should help you.

I don’t think you have a press problem. I think you have a chamber/die problem. Some dies just fit your specific chamber better, and sometimes you end up like you are, with not enough stroke to size.

 

[aachey]

I had this happen on a 264 win mag, had my machinist shave off like 10 thou and gave me enough room to bump the shoulder

 

[NevadaMike]

I’d first call area 419. You have 2k tied up in a press and die, they should help you.

I don’t think you have a press problem. I think you have a chamber/die problem. Some dies just fit your specific chamber better, and sometimes you end up like you are, with not enough stroke to size.

Thanks, I did reach out to them and they responded pretty quickly with things to check. That was Friday so hopefully I hear from them today with more suggestions.