I picked up a Wilson head space gauge for 223 to check my cases. I set the Lee resizing die so that it just touches the shell plate on the progressive press as in the Lee instructions and when I check the case in the gauge there is not enough head space (above top of gauge but not much). Are AR rifles touchy to head space? If over SAMMI specs will they still work OK in an AR? I guess the question is should I screw in my die more so that the cases are between the min and max SAMMI specs and resize all of the cases.
You need to FL size them down so they fall between the Min/Max on the Wilson Head Space gauge. You are using the Lee FL die correct? I load on a Dillon RL550b, and my Lee FL die doesn't even touch the shell plate.
To answer your question. Yes ARs can be picky about head space. My Colts are fine with the shoulders bumped back to the Max spec on the Wilson HS gauge, but my BCMs like it closer to the Min spec. So I just resize all mine the same. I always measure a fired case that comes from my rifle, and try to bump the shoulder back .004".
There is variances in guns for sure. When they ream out a new chamber, if the reamer tool it brand new, the chamber will be larger and the opposite goes if the reamer is getting worn, then you will end up with a tight chamber.
They are all supposed to be within min-max specs though
If you have not loaded those cases yet, then sure I would re-adjust your die and run them back through, it wouldn't hurt anything.
if you want to produce ammo that will fire in any AR you might have, you should use a small base die properly adjusted and you should be fine
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