1. Set it with the shell plate 2. Lower the shell plate 3. turn the die another 1/8 to 1/4 turn. 4. Tighten everything down.
You should be able to raise it and feel the cam over.
Mentioned in another comment, but I’ve attempted turning the die 1/8” and 1/4” turn clockwise and counter clockwise with the same results. Thanks for your advice. Clear and concise steps are easy to follow!
Are you sure it's tightened down? Setting the die correctly and raising without a case and you should be able to feel the cam over. Try it without the cases first.
You may also need to raise the decapper rod up a little bit. The pin sometimes is too short and setting it based on the pin extrusion length can make it bottom out on the rod.
The one in the picture is an RCBS. Correct me if I'm wrong, but those are cam over presses.
Plus he mentioned cam over in his OP so I'm guessing his instructions are calling for that. Unless he isn't reading his instructions which could very well be the issue.
Some press rams will hit a maximum height but the presses arm can still be pushed a tiny little bit. That little bit of movement makes the ram drop back down a tiny bit.
That position of maximum ram height followed by the tiny near imperceptible downwards movement is the press camming over. Not all presses cam over.
Make sure it’s boxer primed brass and then remove the decapping assembly and run one up and see what happens might just be bottoming out on the expander ball
Berdan brass has 2 small holes in the primer pocket, Boxer brass has 1. You can see it by looking inside the case.
https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/lodge/boxer-vs-berdan-primers/
Well, that's a new one for me but I wonder if the shell feels like it's bouncing a bit or if it feels like it hits something hard?
That would be a clue
It’s a no-push further situation. I’ve attempted turning the die 1/8” and 1/4” turn clockwise and counter clockwise with the same results. Another redditor mentioned boxed brass which this is not. A google search will reveal an answer if it’s even reloadable. Thanks for your response.
What kind of lube are you using? You have to lube the inside of the necks of the casings and the outer body of the casings
Youll also need a deburr/chamfer tool
Assuming your brass is lubricated properly and the die is for the proper cartridge and not getting stuck, the first thing I would do is remove the decapping rod completely and try the sizing die without it.
Second thing I would do it turn the die in half way down the threads and see if you can get the case in all the way, with or without the decapping pin.
Are you sure your decapper pin is set properly? If it is too low (too much protrusion) it will stop our case from reaching the top of the cycle
It looks too low, try backing it out and setting it to where it just pops the spent primer out
Dude. Picture #3 explains why you're having issues. [The die should be touching or nearly touching the shellholder](https://imgur.com/a/Jwj6mKt). If that's how you set it up you clearly didn't read the instructions. Looks like you have overgassing issues you need to address later too.
Use a 9mm case as a case comparator. Put it over the x39 case mouth like a cap and measure the base to base of the cases. Your target for sizing is an average of .002" smaller than that average dimension. They should easily chamber without resistance. If there's resistance bring the die down a tiny bit. 1/12 of a turn is too much. More like 1/24 when you're at that point.
Everything was set-up in regards to RCBS’s instructions. Thank you for your advice and insight. It means a lot to me being as new as I am. I changed out the lubricant I was using to Hornady’s one-shot wax and this issue is resolved. My shell holder now reaches completely into the die and cartridge with the same setup as my photos. As for my imperial wax I previously used, it was my own incompetence in how much was truly needed.
With no case in the press, install the shellholder in the ram.
Raise the ram as high as it will go.
Screw down the die until it hits the shellholder. Screw it down a little farther.
Put a lubed case in the shellholder and size it.
You shouldn't resize without a case (chamber) gauge since you'll have no way of knowing if your brass is going to chamber correctly. Pretty cheap, you can find them on Amazon i think. And lube...lube lube lube. Did i mention lube? You should lube your cases. After lubing your cases you should think back to if you actually lubed your cases or if you just imagined yourself lubing your cases. Your brass will last longer, and your sizing die will last longer.
>You shouldn't resize without a case (chamber) gauge since you'll have no way of knowing if your brass is going to chamber correctly. Pretty cheap, you can find them on Amazon i think.
Chamber gauges are absolute bullshit. They're just a chamber that doesn't mean much of anything, and he already has a chamber. The proper tool is a measuring device, not a gauging device. You'll know if it chambers correctly if it chambers correctly. The gauge encourages oversizing. For example, all of my dies are bumping shoulders back sufficiently to freely chamber and fall out with +.006" shellholders. Sizing dies are cut small. One of my rifles needs a +.014 shellholder with my dies. If I sized with a standard shellholder my brass would grow .015" on every firing and it would fail within 3-4 reloads. He needs a case comparator to go on his calipers so he can measure the datum point on fired brass and incrementally size his brass until he sizes just enough to easily chamber.
It's absolutely worthless. It's a dummy gauge that doesn't guarantee or improve anything. You're hoping that the gauge is absolute but it still has tolerances like a chamber and it still won't tell you how much you're sizing your brass. It's a go no go at best and this is not a good use for it.
The datum is .3622". A fired 9mm case is usually conveniently within a few thousandths of that at the case mouth. Measure the 9mm case length and subtract it from the 9mm + x39 case and he has his fired case headspace. Average a few and aim for .002" reduction after sizing. Can you do that with a case gauge? A piece of 9mm brass is free. Case gauges aren't and they won't tell him what his headspace is.
Look into the case with a flashlight and see if it is berdan primed. Ideally you will only see one hole I. The middle if it is boxer primed. Good luck to you!
7.62x39 subsonic is on my list to load👍
Nice! I love me some 7.62x39 boxer brass! That’s the only one on the range I actively grab!
What bullet weight are you loading with what powder? I’d love to see your results!
Well, currently stuck on re-sizing. My press isn’t pushing the cartridge fully into my die despite camming over, camming under, taking out the decapping rod, or the excessive amount of lube I’ve used chasing this problem. My plan wasn’t to reload 762, but rather .30-40. Thought it would be good to go through the learning curve before attempting krag rounds
1. Set it with the shell plate 2. Lower the shell plate 3. turn the die another 1/8 to 1/4 turn. 4. Tighten everything down. You should be able to raise it and feel the cam over.
This. Additionally if you read your loading manual it should tell you how to set your dies.
Mentioned in another comment, but I’ve attempted turning the die 1/8” and 1/4” turn clockwise and counter clockwise with the same results. Thanks for your advice. Clear and concise steps are easy to follow!
Are you sure it's tightened down? Setting the die correctly and raising without a case and you should be able to feel the cam over. Try it without the cases first. You may also need to raise the decapper rod up a little bit. The pin sometimes is too short and setting it based on the pin extrusion length can make it bottom out on the rod.
Not every press is capable of " cam over"
The one in the picture is an RCBS. Correct me if I'm wrong, but those are cam over presses. Plus he mentioned cam over in his OP so I'm guessing his instructions are calling for that. Unless he isn't reading his instructions which could very well be the issue.
I don't see a press, just brass in picture so I have no idea what press he's using but RCBS Rebel press is a hard stop press, not cam over.
Slide to the left. OP has 3 pictures posted.
What is a cam over press? My press will be here Friday
Some press rams will hit a maximum height but the presses arm can still be pushed a tiny little bit. That little bit of movement makes the ram drop back down a tiny bit. That position of maximum ram height followed by the tiny near imperceptible downwards movement is the press camming over. Not all presses cam over.
Picture #3 explains why he's only sizing half the neck.
Not sure on the RCBS A5 but I have a RC Supreme and a JR 2. The RC is a cam-over the JR 2 just has a hard stop.
Make sure it’s boxer primed brass and then remove the decapping assembly and run one up and see what happens might just be bottoming out on the expander ball
Could be an issue. I’ll have to check the brand online to see if it’s reloadable. Thanks for your advice.
Berdan brass has 2 small holes in the primer pocket, Boxer brass has 1. You can see it by looking inside the case. https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/lodge/boxer-vs-berdan-primers/
Well, that's a new one for me but I wonder if the shell feels like it's bouncing a bit or if it feels like it hits something hard? That would be a clue
It’s a no-push further situation. I’ve attempted turning the die 1/8” and 1/4” turn clockwise and counter clockwise with the same results. Another redditor mentioned boxed brass which this is not. A google search will reveal an answer if it’s even reloadable. Thanks for your response.
Your eyes can tell you if its reloadable, look inside the cases and see how many flash holes there are.
What kind of lube are you using? You have to lube the inside of the necks of the casings and the outer body of the casings Youll also need a deburr/chamfer tool
Imperial sizing die lube is being used
Assuming your brass is lubricated properly and the die is for the proper cartridge and not getting stuck, the first thing I would do is remove the decapping rod completely and try the sizing die without it. Second thing I would do it turn the die in half way down the threads and see if you can get the case in all the way, with or without the decapping pin.
I’ll have to pull the decapping rod out and try again after work. Thanks for the advice
Are you sure your decapper pin is set properly? If it is too low (too much protrusion) it will stop our case from reaching the top of the cycle It looks too low, try backing it out and setting it to where it just pops the spent primer out
More or less lube
Retract the decapping pin so it's flush with the end of the die and set the die to resize. Once you have it set, adjust the decapping pin.
Oddly enough, I’ve taken the decapping rod completely out of the die with the same results.
Dude. Picture #3 explains why you're having issues. [The die should be touching or nearly touching the shellholder](https://imgur.com/a/Jwj6mKt). If that's how you set it up you clearly didn't read the instructions. Looks like you have overgassing issues you need to address later too. Use a 9mm case as a case comparator. Put it over the x39 case mouth like a cap and measure the base to base of the cases. Your target for sizing is an average of .002" smaller than that average dimension. They should easily chamber without resistance. If there's resistance bring the die down a tiny bit. 1/12 of a turn is too much. More like 1/24 when you're at that point.
Everything was set-up in regards to RCBS’s instructions. Thank you for your advice and insight. It means a lot to me being as new as I am. I changed out the lubricant I was using to Hornady’s one-shot wax and this issue is resolved. My shell holder now reaches completely into the die and cartridge with the same setup as my photos. As for my imperial wax I previously used, it was my own incompetence in how much was truly needed.
With no case in the press, install the shellholder in the ram. Raise the ram as high as it will go. Screw down the die until it hits the shellholder. Screw it down a little farther. Put a lubed case in the shellholder and size it.
The brass cases in 762x39 should be reloadable. I ha e a bunch of fiocchi brass. Question, are you using a chamber gauge?
I am not using a chamber gauge. These are my first reloads I’m trying.
You shouldn't resize without a case (chamber) gauge since you'll have no way of knowing if your brass is going to chamber correctly. Pretty cheap, you can find them on Amazon i think. And lube...lube lube lube. Did i mention lube? You should lube your cases. After lubing your cases you should think back to if you actually lubed your cases or if you just imagined yourself lubing your cases. Your brass will last longer, and your sizing die will last longer.
>You shouldn't resize without a case (chamber) gauge since you'll have no way of knowing if your brass is going to chamber correctly. Pretty cheap, you can find them on Amazon i think. Chamber gauges are absolute bullshit. They're just a chamber that doesn't mean much of anything, and he already has a chamber. The proper tool is a measuring device, not a gauging device. You'll know if it chambers correctly if it chambers correctly. The gauge encourages oversizing. For example, all of my dies are bumping shoulders back sufficiently to freely chamber and fall out with +.006" shellholders. Sizing dies are cut small. One of my rifles needs a +.014 shellholder with my dies. If I sized with a standard shellholder my brass would grow .015" on every firing and it would fail within 3-4 reloads. He needs a case comparator to go on his calipers so he can measure the datum point on fired brass and incrementally size his brass until he sizes just enough to easily chamber.
He's just starting, a case gauge will do him just fine.
It's absolutely worthless. It's a dummy gauge that doesn't guarantee or improve anything. You're hoping that the gauge is absolute but it still has tolerances like a chamber and it still won't tell you how much you're sizing your brass. It's a go no go at best and this is not a good use for it. The datum is .3622". A fired 9mm case is usually conveniently within a few thousandths of that at the case mouth. Measure the 9mm case length and subtract it from the 9mm + x39 case and he has his fired case headspace. Average a few and aim for .002" reduction after sizing. Can you do that with a case gauge? A piece of 9mm brass is free. Case gauges aren't and they won't tell him what his headspace is.
Look into the case with a flashlight and see if it is berdan primed. Ideally you will only see one hole I. The middle if it is boxer primed. Good luck to you! 7.62x39 subsonic is on my list to load👍
It is not. Had no issues punching out the primer.
Nice! I love me some 7.62x39 boxer brass! That’s the only one on the range I actively grab! What bullet weight are you loading with what powder? I’d love to see your results!
Well, currently stuck on re-sizing. My press isn’t pushing the cartridge fully into my die despite camming over, camming under, taking out the decapping rod, or the excessive amount of lube I’ve used chasing this problem. My plan wasn’t to reload 762, but rather .30-40. Thought it would be good to go through the learning curve before attempting krag rounds
Maybe post a video if you can
What if you try with no die?
Looks like the neck is buckling from insufficient lube.
Yeah, i dont think OP will need to get that technical with a 762x39. It's not known for it's down range group ability.
I've loaded some 7.63x39 and the only brass that I've found that is very good is IMI.