High all,
loaded many a round in the 1970's but took time off when these sports did not "fit" as well with my grown up direction.
I recently upgraded from the Classic Lee Loader (hammer model) to a set of Lee Deluxe dies for my 1917 Enfield (Eddystone). My friend gave me a bunch of once fired PMC cases from his Garand. I proceeded to FL size them after removing the primer and crimp with the Classic's decaper and Lee chamfer tool and trimming to length.
I cleaned the cases and lubed them with RCBS case lube. Much to my horror the press stopped about 0.300 from the rim and there was brass shaving from the case. With power by armstrong I was able to size the twenty or so cases. I had only the littlest Lee aluminum "C" press and I was really worried I would have some scrap metal for the cost of a few pennies of brass. Just as a check I also FL sized a bunch of 30-40 Krag and 30-30 WCF cases without a hitch (different dies of course). These are shorter cases but I wanted to see if the press's leverage was the culprit. Sizing was firm but no shaving or stopping was encountered.
The Garand fired cases miked at 0.472" just above the rim. Korean M2 ball is at 0.466", the Eddystone fired cases are at 0.469"and the FL sized cases are 0.467". My intention is to now neck size these after firing but the extremely hard FL size had me curious. I checked the dies and there did not appear to be any reason for the brass shaving, no scratches, ridges, grit etc. The expander ball could stand some JB paste but nothing to cause a case to hang up.
Has anyone else had this phenomenon?
Thanks for the help.
Wineman