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21 - 37 of 37 Posts
Discussion starter · #21 ·
Curly-Nohair said:
tdxm said:
tdxm said:
Also when I opened up the Sizemaster box it must have been tipped over during shipping because the shell lifter was loose in the bottom of the box. It took me awhile to figure out what it was and where it went. I just ended up dropping it into the center of the collet. Is that correct? It just drops in? It doesn't have to be connected to anything or attach in some way?

Todd
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Curly,

Can I get you to answer this part of my post? :D
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I do not remember ever looking at a Sizemaster, but after rummaging thru the manual online, I see nothing that connects to that shell lifter. I suspect that they have to include it to support the bottom of the hull and to take up a bit of room in the bottom of the collet. Otherwise the rim relief groove will be too wide and the sizing incomplete.
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Ok thanks,

I stumbled on this old post of yours and that's what finally told me the loose part I had was a shell lifter:

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=227203
 
#22 ·
That loose part is called a shell lifter and simply drops inside the collet on your Sizemaster. It attaches to nothing on the press. It just serves to provide a spacer in the bottom of the collet on a single stage press.

As to the collet sizing. Not to criricize your measurements, but the AVERAGE new ammo dimension is .802. Add .005 to that and you have .807. This is where I set all collets on my presses and those I rebuild. There never is a problem with collets stretching and the resulting sizing fits and functions on every shotgun I have ever seen or delt with.

Set the collet using STEEL shell head hulls, like the Gun Clubs or Shur Shots. The steel case heads require a tad tighter setting than the brass ones. Maybe a flat or two tighter. Once that is accomplished, it will properly resize any hull you put in it, whether steel or brass.

DLM
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
Curly-Nohair said:
I suggest that you lower the collet closer by 3 flats of the adjuster nut. That will be CW as you look down upon that nut. Be sure that you align the flat with the press column.
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Curly,

Sorry for my repeated questions, but...

Finally got some time today to loosen the 13/16 nut underneath the press and then I turned the collet counter clock wise (looking down from above) which when I resized a shell measuring .812" it brought it down just like you said it would to .809"!!

I'm confused about your "flats" terminology. The collet has 8 "fingers" and I twister mine 3 "fingers" worth counter clockwise to loosen the collet to make it resize shells from originally .806 to now .809.

What do you mean "be sure to align the flat with the press column"? Do you mean make sure one of the eight fingers is parallel with the column and not set between two of the fingers?
 
#24 ·
You did fine on your adjustment. Disregard the "Flats" statement as it only relates to a progressive press, which has a different adjustment procedure.

You might want to bring that adjustment on down to .807, as suggested in my above post, because the larger setting may not quite fit every shotgun out there. You may want to loan someone else a few shells and would want to be sure they fit any gun you put them in.

DLM
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
Curly,

Justed looked at your cleaning the collet sticky again, looks like on a progressive machine there is a collet closure nut which Sizemasters must not have because mine doesn't.

On a Sizemaster, the collet is simply screwed in or out to adjust how it sizes shells. So I'm guessing I don't have "flats" which I think I see now on your progressive nut in your pictures of your progressive machine in your sticky.
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
D L Marcum said:
You did fine on your adjustment. Disregard the "Flats" statement as it only relates to a progressive press, which has a different adjustment procedure.

You might want to bring that adjustment on down to .807, as suggested in my above post, because the larger setting may not quite fit every shotgun out there. You may want to loan someone else a few shells and would want to be sure they fit any gun you put them in.

DLM
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DLM,

You just beet me to my own reply above! :)

Thanks for you input, I'll will do that.

Todd
 
#27 ·
By golly you are getting the hang of this stuff, Yes I was talking about a newer Progressive. If I go on about something on a SS press, I am sure to confuse somebody, and show my ignorance of the ss presses along the way. SS= single stage. :oops:
 
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Discussion starter · #29 ·
dcblvsh2 said:
Todd,

have you loaded any shells yet?

Doug
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Doug,

Would you believe I haven't?! With Christmas with three kids home and out of school, the only thing I've done is take it apart, put some of Curly's special Bike grease all over it and adjust the collet!!

Now I'm on a trip sitting in a hotel room in SFO! I guess I'm waiting for the kids to go back to school so I can do my first shells in peace and quiet.

Sigh :(
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
dcblvsh2 said:
Todd,

have you loaded any shells yet?

Doug
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Well I finally got a chance to shoot my first few boxes that I reloaded. Two boxes of GC's and one box of Fed Papers. All 1 oz, 17.5 gr ClayDot, DR XL-1, and NS 209 primers.

You know what...they all worked fantastic!! Who'd a thunk? :D

Doug,

Thanks for the great 12 gauge Sizemaster.

Curly, DLM, and others,

Thanks for the great advise and patience with all my questions on numerous threads, not just this one.

I am having a great time reloading and I could not have done it without this forum and all the great knowledge, help, and advise.

Now...I need a 20 gauge Sizemaster. :mrgreen:
 
#32 ·
Be careful. Next you might get a 7/8 oz bar and really start saving a few bucks. Then you'll shoot even more and need a progressive. I see a 9000 in your future and boy will they spoil you
 
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Discussion starter · #33 ·
rhett1977 said:
Be careful. Next you might get a 7/8 oz bar and really start saving a few bucks. Then you'll shoot even more and need a progressive. I see a 9000 in your future and boy will they spoil you
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I already bought one (7/8 oz bar) :oops: And a 3/4 oz bar :oops: :oops:

I kinda knew I wouldn't be able to stop reloading just 12 gauge. So like I said above, I'm looking for a 20 gauge Sizemaster to put these bars to use. :D

I'll never be a hard core addict and get a 9000! :mrgreen:
 
#34 ·
tdxm said:
I'll never be a hard core addict and get a 9000! :mrgreen:
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Well, if that's how you really feel, then I'm warning you...... don't ever try out a 9000!! Your Mr. Green will turn red from embarrassment because you will WANT that 9000 machine!! :D

Have fun on your new reloading adventures. And good thinking to get that 3/4 oz. bar for your 20 ga. Sizemaster. You can use Claybusters new CB1075-20 wad for 3/4 oz of shot and break targets hard with less shot and $$. One of the many advantages to reloaders like yourself!

BB
 
Discussion starter · #36 ·
dcblvsh2 said:
You can use the 7/8 and 3/4 bar for 12gauge.

Once you do you'll be hooked for sure.

I'm glad you did some paper hulls already. what did you think about them?
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I really liked the papers, loaded and crimped well with the DR XL-1 wad and smelled awesome after shooting them. I think I like them better than the GC's. Got any more? Do they still sell those same type?

Todd
 
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