Bushing die for new Rifle/Caliber?

[FamilyMan]

So I know there are a million threads on bushing size and how to find it and I understand all that because I have searched and read most of them. But what I was wondering is when you first start out with a new rifle/barrel in a different caliber is how do you find find the right bushing when you don't have any loaded ammo or once fired to measure off of? Do you have to at least start with some factory ammo with similar brass to measure a loaded round and subtract .001-.003 or do you have to measure neck wall thickness and do the double it and add bullet diameter formula?
I am just wondering where to start with this because I have used the bushing dies with my .243 but that was after I already had been reloading with standard dies so it was easier to measure but I just sent my gun in to get re-barreled in a 6.5Creedmoor and now don't quite know how to start from scratch with out having to order and return a bunch of bushings. Either way I appreciate all the help and feedback!

Brett

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Bushing die for new Rifle/Caliber?

If you post the brand/ manufacturer of brass you'll be using in the 6.5 Creedmoor, I'm sure someone will chime in and give you the information you need.

I've used the loaded round formula of subtracting .001"-.002" from the outside neck diameter of the loaded round (using a mic, not a caliper). It worked for me.

 

[FamilyMan]

Re: Bushing die for new Rifle/Caliber?

Sorry forgot that. Will be using Hornady's match brass.
Can you measure factory loaded rounds that use this similar brass like the Honady match ammo and get accurate measurements for the bushing to work with new virgin brass?

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Bushing die for new Rifle/Caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FamilyMan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I am just wondering where to start with this </div></div>

Brett, start with a loaded round and measure the ncek diameter in 3 places around the neck. then subtract a number from the following (depending on application

0.000 Bench rest with fitted necks and cases only:: the case only has to hold the bullet while chambering
0.001 Bench rest without fitted necks:: the case has to hold the bullet, but does not have to put up with any abuse between the loading station and the final firing position.
0.002 Standard tactical ammo:: thei ammo has to put up with minimal abuse betwen loading station and final firing position
0.003 semi-auto firing cycle or bolt action where the ammo has to take some significant abuse.

For tactical use we suggest 0.002 as the subtracted number for bolt actions and 0.003 for semi-auto actions.

If you don't HAVE a loaded round to measure, then take a case, neck size the cae and the insert your projectile and measure. Then do the math as described above.

 

[FamilyMan]

Re: Bushing die for new Rifle/Caliber?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FamilyMan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I am just wondering where to start with this </div></div>

Brett, start with a loaded round and measure the ncek diameter in 3 places around the neck. then subtract a number from the following (depending on application

0.000 Bench rest with fitted necks and cases only:: the case only has to hold the bullet while chambering
0.001 Bench rest without fitted necks:: the case has to hold the bullet, but does not have to put up with any abuse between the loading station and the final firing position.
0.002 Standard tactical ammo:: thei ammo has to put up with minimal abuse betwen loading station and final firing position
0.003 semi-auto firing cycle or bolt action where the ammo has to take some significant abuse.

For tactical use we suggest 0.002 as the subtracted number for bolt actions and 0.003 for semi-auto actions.

If you don't HAVE a loaded round to measure, then take a case, neck size the cae and the insert your projectile and measure. Then do the math as described above.</div></div> can I use a factory loaded round for this or do I have to use the virgin brass I will be loading? The reason I ask is if I don't know the bushing size I need yet how can I size a case then load it to measure? I am not trying to be difficult I am just wondering how to start with the unknowns of a bushing die? Also Thanks for your reply that helped a lot in which subtraction to use I have just always heard the .001 or.002 but your post was much more informative for multiple applications

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Bushing die for new Rifle/Caliber?

Yes, you can measure a factory round to get your measurement. Just get a precise measurement. Since you are getting only one bushing, I would get the measurement and deduct .002" for your bushing size.

 

[FamilyMan]

Re: Bushing die for new Rifle/Caliber?

Thanks,
I had actually planned on possibly getting 3 bushings. 1 that was .002 smaller 1- .003 because i heard that over time the brass thins out and you need to step down a size as well as just in case I need more tension. And then possibly a third to use in a neck die to use the 2 die method to step down if I need to size more than .005 from fired case