Reloading newbs PSA on used brass

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Talk to me like I’m 5. If, when full length sizing, the shell holder is touching the bottom of the die, what do you adjust to make the base to shoulder measurement less?

To make the measurement less/smaller/shorter, you need to screw the die in further.

Conversely, when FL sizing fired brass from your chamber, if you only want to reduce or "bump" the shoulder back .002" to prevent over working brass and maintain "ideal" case length, I use a .002" gage.

I raise the ram fully and screw the FL sizing die down until it touches the shellholder. Then I unscrew slightly and insert the .002" metal gauge in between the bottom of the die and the shellholder. Finally, I screw the die back down until it just touches the gauge, and I can still slide the gauge out. At this point you set the die lock ring and you're all set to FL size with only .002" of bump. Again, this is only for fired cases from your rifle's chamber. You can get as OCD as you want on this, but this is what I do. Here is a video that explains it better.

 

[Schmo]

Talk to me like I’m 5. If, when full length sizing, the shell holder is touching the bottom of the die, what do you adjust to make the base to shoulder measurement less?

So I’ve had this question as well. However, apparently there are just a few thousandths that can be gained with a greater crush. Running the die in until it contacts the shell holder (sometimes plus 1/2 turn) is the starting point. I too had an issue with cases not resizing enough. I called Hornady to ask what to do. And he told me to run the die in just a fit further. It fixed the issue.

 

[Harvey_NW]

Running the die in until it contacts the shell holder (sometimes plus 1/2 turn) is the starting point.

I'd use caution calling that a "starting point", in certain combos I've had the die just touching the shellholder be about .010"+ setback due to tolerances. I typically start about -1/2 turn from the touch point and work my way in.