Measuring for Custom Honed Dies

[Hondo64d]

Shooting a .243 w/ Lapua Brass, and due to my loathing the expander ball, I want to have Forster custom hone a die for me. Strictly a hunting rig, so need enough neck tension so that bullets won't move in the magazine under recoil. Currently my loaded ammo measures .271 - .272 at the neck. Figure I need .003" tension, and allowing .002" spring back, that comes out to a .266 to .267" die. Is my reasoning correct? My once fired Lapua brass measures about .277" prior to re-sizing. Does this figure into what neck diameter die I need?

Thanks,

John

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Measuring for Custom Honed Dies

"Figure I need .003" tension, and allowing .002" spring back,"

Figure 1 or 2 thou of 'tension' and 1 thou of springback and you will be very close to perfect.

The fired neck diameter has no meaning for the sizing bushings you may need, you're only working toward the finished product.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Measuring for Custom Honed Dies

Personally, I would get a bushing die instead of having a custom die made. You could change the neck tension just by changing the bushing. It would be a lot cheaper that way. But to each his own.

Good luck.

 

[alf]

Re: Measuring for Custom Honed Dies

And, as you shoot your brass, it work hardens and requires a different tension, unless you anneal frequently.

In all reality, you can load match ammo with a plain 'ol two die set if you put a little more effort in the attention to details.

 

[Hondo64d]

Re: Measuring for Custom Honed Dies

Appreciate all the replies. A bushing die would be easier, but is the doughnut something to be concerned with?

John

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Measuring for Custom Honed Dies

This is what bushing dies were made for.

 

[LARMIKE]

Re: Measuring for Custom Honed Dies

Call Forster and tell the fella what you want to accomplish. I just ordered another honed die made for Lapua brass that I will be using this year.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Measuring for Custom Honed Dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hondo64d</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Appreciate all the replies. A bushing die would be easier, but is the doughnut something to be concerned with?

John </div></div>

There are many different reamers to take care of the "dreaded doughnut" if it becomes a problem. They range from $10 or $15 to $50 or $60. It just depends on how fancy you want to get. But all bottleneck rifle cartridges CAN form a doughnut. After brass has been loaded 4 to 6 times, you need to start checking for it.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Measuring for Custom Honed Dies

I am considering neck turning, since all brass will have the same thickness a custom honed die would negate the need for bushings.