Wrong gauges (NOT WRONG AFTER ALL) UPDATE
I have what I believe to be a set of Clymer .308 HS gauges that came with a .308 barrel I bought online at AR15.COM
Both are flat black and are clearly go (green)and no go (red)
What perplexes me is that there are no markings on them.
Go OAL is 1.656"
No Go OAL is 1.666"
The shoulder on the gauges doesnt seem right either...
Do I have the correct gauges? Or are these for something else?
Capt Beach
Re: Wrong gauges (NOT WRONG AFTER ALL) UPDATE
Capt. Beach, sorry to hear this is giving you trouble. From what you described earlier, i agree that your rifles' headspace is probably correct.
It sounds like you are very close, you just need to tweak your FL die setting a little bit. Understand that there is some range of adjustment in the setting of your die: unscrewing it slightly(up) from the press will give you a sized case with longer headspace dimensions, assuming it (the case) was long to begin with. Conversely, screwing the die in (down) will, to a point, give you a case with shorter headspace. This seems to be what you need to do.
Try this: take a piece of once- fired brass, and try it in your chamber. If it fits, set it aside and try another one. You want to find one that does not fit (headspace is too long). When you find one, lube it and run it through your FL resizer. Wipe the lube off and try to chamber it again; chances are from what you describe, it either will not close or will at least be tight. This is OK.
Now, loosen the locking ring on your die WITHOUT moving the position of the die. Then screw in (down, or clockwise) on the die about 1/16 of a turn. Cinch down the locking ring and retighten. Now take that same piece of brass that would not fit earlier, and lube it and resize it again. Wipe off the lube, and try it in the chamber again. If it closes with no resistance, you've got it; tighten everything securely and commence reloading. If it won't close, repeat this process until either the bolt closes, or the press will no longer cam over at the top of the stroke. If you reach this point and it still won't chamber, then chances are your headspace is set too tight. I really don't think you'll reach this point though; once or twice on the adjustments and you'll probably be there.
Sorry for being so wordy, just trying to be thorough. Good luck and let me know if it works for you.
Fred
Re: Wrong gauges (NOT WRONG AFTER ALL) UPDATE
I will remove the de-capping pin...forgot I could do that...just getting back into reloading after 15 years of absence...and while I am a fairly proficient armorer (USMC 2111-2112, Glock) it has been a while since i was working on bolt guns...especially Savages...
I'll try some of the above...
But first...couldn't it be case OAL too long as well? With the case head spacing first on the case neck rim in the chamber, vs the shoulder? I'll check case OAL first on a few cartridge cases...this was NEW UNFIRED FEDERAL brass.
Re: Wrong gauges (NOT WRONG AFTER ALL) UPDATE
Sure it could be the cases are too long (trim length). I always full length size new brass and trim to min. specs. As barrel-nut suggested, find a piece of brass that will not chamber, and adjust the sizing die until the brass will chamber. Then lock in your die and goe to work. Your die is now set for YOUR rifle. Run all your brass, trim to length, and tumble to get the case lube off.......Good luck
Re: Wrong gauges (NOT WRONG AFTER ALL) UPDATE
Re: Wrong gauges (NOT WRONG AFTER ALL) UPDATE
CAPTBEACH, did you ever get this situation resolved?
Re: Wrong gauges (NOT WRONG AFTER ALL) UPDATE
If I read his post correctly, my understanding was he did not have his dies set up for correct shoulder length.