You really need one of these, or another gauge like an RCBS Precision Mic to measure the cartridges headspace.
Once you get measurements, get a set of
die shims or
headspacing shellholders to help you fine tune.
B
I'm not sure why I need another gauge. My headspace gauge is not the problem. In fact
the headspace gauge I have is pretty good. It's telling me that whatever I am doing with
the die is not cutting it. This is a very simple problem. The sizing die/press combo doesn't
provide the necessary adjustment to be able to meet the criteria required by the case gauge
and the manufacturer of that case gauge. I think I could measure this with a scanning electron
microscope and the results would not be any different. I'm afraid I am being somewhat
dense in understanding what you are trying to tell me so I will apologize for my denseness.
When I measure the case in the sizing die with my calipers, the case protrudes about
.002" above the high step flat on the case gauge. I cannot get the press/die combo to
reduce that dimension. I have reloaded the same rounds on that press with RCBS dies
and they do not exhibit this problem. When I look at the sized cases I have from my
RCBS days they size perfectly between the high and low steps on the same case gauge.
That is all I am trying to achieve.
If I understand what you are saying I cannot see where adding height to the die with
shims, etc. would alleviate the problem. In fact from where I am sitting I would think
it would compound it. Am I wrong?
I'm open to all ideas, especially if I can solve this problem without the pain of more CSR
interaction.