DIMA! I Have to say it again, those are Damn fine Cast groups! I finally ordered a bullet seating gauge.. and a RCBS Die set. I have always wanted to compare the LEE to the RCBS.. Here are some numbers, I know you've seen the fired case capacities..
As for anyone else that might find some of the these numbers useful or have some of their own to compare with/to. I keep all of my brass long 1.603", "Junction" measurement is just below the shoulder. Same load, same chamber for this small sample size..
BOTH DIES WERE SETUP ON A LYMAN TURRET PRESS ONE HOLE APART, SAME SHELL HOLDER, SAME FULL (HEAVY) CAM OVER. I size, rotate 45°, and run again..
FIRED/UN-SIZED BRASS
All Winchester 5.56 Converted Brass 4X Firing
16.2" Ranger 1-13T (Fall 2020 Production) I have 2 of them, both with ~2k rounds through them, gotta keep the wear even
Length: 1.603,1.603,1.601,1.602,1.602,1.601,1.603,1.603,1.601,1.602
Base: .374,.375,.374,.374,.374,.374,.375,.375,.375,.374
Junction: .367,.367,.367,.367,.367,.367,.367,.367,.367,.367
Hornady B350 Gauge: 1.352,1.351,1.351,1.352,1.352,1.352,1.351,1.351,1.351,1.352 AVG 1.3515"
Internal Volume:
30.8,30.4,30.4,30.4,30.8,30.8,30.7,30.7,30.6,30.7
HI 30.8 LO 30.4 ES .4gr SD .17029gr AVG 30.63gr USING "Ballistic Tools" PLUG
31,30.7,30.5,30.8,30.8,31,30.7,30.9,30.8,31
HI 31 LO 30.5 ES .5gr AVG 30.82gr USING FIRED PRIMERS
LEE FL
Concentricity: 1/2,1/4,3/4,1,1/4 (Thousandth's)
Length: 1.606,1.606,1.604,1.604,1.604,1.602
Base: .375,.375.374,.3745,.3745
Junction: .364,.364,.364,.364,.364,
Hornady B350 Gauge: 1.342,1.341,1.3415,1.342,1.341 AVG 1.3415"
Internal Volume: 30.39,30.19,30.29,30.04,30.19
AVG: 30.22 gr USING FIRED PRIMERS
RCBS FL
Concentricity: 2,1,1/2,3/4,1 (Thousandth's)
Length: 1.604,1.604,1.605,1.604,1.605
Base: .375,.374,.374,.375,.375
Junction: .364,.364,.363,.364,.364
Hornady B350 Gauge: 1.347,1.349,1.347,1.348,1.348 AVG 1.3478"
Internal Volume: 30.39,30.31,30.25,30.10,30.29
AVG: 30.268 gr USING FIRED PRIMERS
This is a brand new RCBS die (Cleaned), but a few things I have noticed right away.. The LEE seems to do a hair better on Concentricity (Sinclair Gauge), However the RCBS sets the shoulder a bit further out, gaining .048gr in internal capacity. Again this just a small sample size.
I had previously measured the shoulders on fired cases and just recently started setting my LEE die to bump to 1.348".. Not one Failure to Chamber, it has seemed to have the slightest improvement on SD's.. But nothing like you'd gain from a True bottle necked cartridge, concerning capacity, SD, and potential accuracy improvements. I'm looking forward to trying the RCBS Seater, I Love LEE products! However their "Dead Length" bullet seating dies don't always agree with some of the bullets I load.
I just got done checking & sizing 2,400 boolets, finally got HI-Tek, when I get those coated, loaded, and shoot some groups.. I'll try and get around to doing a full write up on my Accurate Molds 142B Design. However I'm very pleased with all of tests so far. I also got some Super Hard from Roto Metals, Pure Tin, and a new Massive Cast Iron to cook up hundreds of pounds of alloy at once. I looking to make some harder, more consistent, and honestly more well suited RIFLE Alloys.
Bill, I'm not sure if shooting cast loads was ever even a consideration when developing this cartridge.. or if you or any of your team has ever tried to see what kind of lead the HAM'R can sling.. But in my opinion it really is an ALL AMERICAN design! AR Platform, Highly efficient, Highly Versatile, and Highly Effective! Thank you again for all of your time, dedication, and knowledge! Also, a big thanks to your incredible company! I ordered Tue. morning, received it Thur. afternoon!