I’m getting my brass prepped for my first f-open rifle. It’s a 284 win, virgin lapua brass using a Redding type s bushing style fl die. The problem I am seeing is that the bushing does not size the entire neck of the brass. I’m not new to reloading but I am new to this cartridge and this style die. Die body is set touching shell holder and decapping rod assy is adjusted as directed. Is this normal?
Bushing fl reeding die
- Thread starter Losiracer410
- Start date
Bushing is entirely seated and backed off just enough to allow movement for centering as instructed. About 1/16 turn
This is normal for a FL bushing die, the portion of the case neck close to the shoulder does not get sized. Glen Zediker describes this in detail in his book and also in the Midsouth Shooters Supply blog, Reloading Corner. The link to the blog article:
http://www.mssblog.com/tag/glen-zediker/page/6/
Scroll down to the article titled "Case Sizing 1: Sizing Die Selection"
I also used the Redding FL busing die for 6.5CM and .308 with great success. From my experience these dies work best with a sizing lube like Hornady Case lube (wax) or Imperial Sizing wax, small amounts on the case body and outside of neck (not on shoulder) otherwise you may create dimples in the case shoulders. This is nearly impossible to do if using a spray type case lube like lanolin/alcohol or aerosol spray lubes. The only down side applying lube to each case by hand is a huge time suck.
http://www.mssblog.com/tag/glen-zediker/page/6/
Scroll down to the article titled "Case Sizing 1: Sizing Die Selection"
I also used the Redding FL busing die for 6.5CM and .308 with great success. From my experience these dies work best with a sizing lube like Hornady Case lube (wax) or Imperial Sizing wax, small amounts on the case body and outside of neck (not on shoulder) otherwise you may create dimples in the case shoulders. This is nearly impossible to do if using a spray type case lube like lanolin/alcohol or aerosol spray lubes. The only down side applying lube to each case by hand is a huge time suck.
I will for sure check that link out tomorrow after work. I really appreciate the info. Didn’t know where to turn since I’m in Facebook jail.
As others have said, bushing dies do not size all the way to the neck/shoulder junction. This said, once you have fired your brass you will need to set your die to "bump" the shoulders. This may increase the length the neck is size depending on your chamber and amount of bump you determine. Also, in case you don't know it...numbers go down on the bushing when put in the die.
That I did not know. Directions don’t specify an orientation of the bushing nor do they specify to back the die off the shell holder but I guess I will discover that setting when I fire some and measure for bump back
Losiracer410 . . . . .
Mark your case up "all over" with a magic marker, and run it into your FL fie a few times. (Be sure to lube your case.) You will be able to clearly see exactly what parts of your case are actually being resized. Quite often, a FL die isn't nearly as FL as it should be.
I discovered this when designing custom chamber reamers. The tighter your tolerances get . . . . the more tricky it gets to make a FL die correct for YOUR particular chamber. Hope this helps.
Mark your case up "all over" with a magic marker, and run it into your FL fie a few times. (Be sure to lube your case.) You will be able to clearly see exactly what parts of your case are actually being resized. Quite often, a FL die isn't nearly as FL as it should be.
I discovered this when designing custom chamber reamers. The tighter your tolerances get . . . . the more tricky it gets to make a FL die correct for YOUR particular chamber. Hope this helps.
