Bushing Die Neck/Shoulder Junction Issue

Joined
Nov 9, 2022
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I'm looking for some help/expertise with a reloading issue that I am running into after switching to FL Bushing dies with my 6.5PRC. I recently switched to a Hornady FL bushing die from normal Hornady custom grade die. The issue I seem to be having is that the neck/shoulder junction area is not being sized at all thus causing hard bolt close (I can see the neck bushing is sizing short of the neck/shoulder junction and understand that is typical). I am bumping the shoulder back .003 from fire formed. If I take the same case that has hard bolt lift after sizing with the bushing die and size it with my normal FL die, I do not have the hard bolt close issue. Both the bushing die and normal FL die bump shoulder back .003, so the only conclusion I can come to is the the neck/shoulder junction where the bushing die is not sizing is expanded just enough to cause the hard bolt close. Is this typical and/or do you guys know of any way to prevent this? Thank you.
 
I'm looking for some help/expertise with a reloading issue that I am running into after switching to FL Bushing dies with my 6.5PRC. I recently switched to a Hornady FL bushing die from normal Hornady custom grade die. The issue I seem to be having is that the neck/shoulder junction area is not being sized at all thus causing hard bolt close (I can see the neck bushing is sizing short of the neck/shoulder junction and understand that is typical). I am bumping the shoulder back .003 from fire formed. If I take the same case that has hard bolt lift after sizing with the bushing die and size it with my normal FL die, I do not have the hard bolt close issue. Both the bushing die and normal FL die bump shoulder back .003, so the only conclusion I can come to is the the neck/shoulder junction where the bushing die is not sizing is expanded just enough to cause the hard bolt close. Is this typical and/or do you guys know of any way to prevent this? Thank you.

I used to use FL bushing dies almost exclusively and never had that issue. How much play does the bushing have in the die?
 
I haven’t seen that with a variety of neck bushings. You can run the case neck shoulder area through a wax candle flame so that it’s covered with soot then chamber it and you’ll see specifically where it’s contacting the chamber.
 
I used to use FL bushing dies almost exclusively and never had that issue. How much play does the bushing have in the die?
I know there is a small amount, but will have to take a measurement tonight.

My theory is that when it's sizing the neck it pushes excess material into the small open space between the bushing and the shoulder sizing section, also the rounded/tapered edge of the bushing.
 

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I've had some issues with similar dies and found the solution was as easy as taking a few minutes to reread and follow the setup instructions word by word.

You should also look up "case neck donut" or "dreaded donut", as that sounds like your specific issue. Good luck.
 
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