Micron Precision Bushing Sizer Not Compatible With Zero Press?

[vh20]

Has anyone experienced this? I'm having a lot of trouble with clickers on my 300NM, using a Redding Type-S bushing full-length sizing die. I did some research and a lot of people have had good results with the Micron dies. They are out of stock for the 300NM currently, but I saw on their
FAQs that this die is not compatible with the Area419 Zero press (and apparently not because of the thread diameter). The way it reads, it sounds like they're saying it is incompatible EVEN IF you are using the hybrid turret with 7/8x14 thread stations. Can anyone confirm or explain this?
Thanks

 

[SEPAboltrifle]

Please provide a link to the Micron FAQ regardng incompatibility with Zero press or cut and paste the info in this disucussion thread.
Thanks in advance!

 

[R_A_W]

https://bulletcentral.com/content/tech_central_library/micron_die_faq_and_compatibility_guide.pdf

 

[memilanuk]

I have a BC Micron F/L bushing die (.308 Win)... and I had a 419 Zero press. Mine fit in the regular tool head well enough; at the time the primary concern seemed to be the fit/finish of the threads on both resulting in things being a bit too tight, or at least that was my understanding. Didn't have any problems with that. I did have a fair amount of issues with getting consistent headspace using the 419 shell holder system. Eventually ended up selling the Zero press and going back to my Co-Ax and 550 a year or so ago. For that matter, I'm considering selling my Micron die also. Like the Zero, it's *very* nice... but the ammo I loaded with it doesn't shoot noticeably better than what comes out of my LE Wilson sizers on the Co-Ax - or the 550. The hard-contact between shell holder and die body approach is over-rated, IMO.

 

[vh20]

I have a BC Micron F/L bushing die (.308 Win)... and I had a 419 Zero press. Mine fit in the regular tool head well enough; at the time the primary concern seemed to be the fit/finish of the threads on both resulting in things being a bit too tight, or at least that was my understanding. Didn't have any problems with that. I did have a fair amount of issues with getting consistent headspace using the 419 shell holder system. Eventually ended up selling the Zero press and going back to my Co-Ax and 550 a year or so ago. For that matter, I'm considering selling my Micron die also. Like the Zero, it's *very* nice... but the ammo I loaded with it doesn't shoot noticeably better than what comes out of my LE Wilson sizers on the Co-Ax - or the 550. The hard-contact between shell holder and die body approach is over-rated, IMO.

Thanks. My problem is that the ammo I'm loading with my Redding Type-S is giving me clickers on the third firing. I'm not committed to the idea of the Micron, I just need something to size the case better near the base, and the Micron seems to be the name that keeps popping up. I'm open to other suggestions.

 

[R_A_W]

the time the primary concern seemed to be the fit/finish of the threads on both

That makes sense, getting my micron into my Apex 10 tool head requires a wrench, I almost didn’t want to thread it all the way in

I'm open to other suggestions

Micron are very good dies, they would probably be my first choice if I just wanted to decap/size. I think the mandrel on the SAC dies is a little bit better though

 

[vh20]

That makes sense, getting my micron into my Apex 10 tool head requires a wrench, I almost didn’t want to thread it all the way in

Micron are very good dies, they would probably be my first choice if I just wanted to decap/size. I think the mandrel on the SAC dies is a little bit better though

Unfortunately, neither the SAC nor the Area419 dies are offered in 300 Norma.

 

[R_A_W]

You could always try small base sizing. Cortina mandrel die bodies small base size

https://www.shootsmallgroups.com/product/expanding-mandrel-dies/

 

[vh20]

Interesting. I’ll look into it more. Thanks

 

[SEPAboltrifle]

First I size the case body using a Cortina 300NM Expanding Mandrel Die...resizes the case body to a greater extent than does an L. E. Wilson die or a Micron die... and prevents clickers.
Next I use a Micron resizing die with bushing insert to size the neck...in an Area 419 Zero press...securing the Micron die with an Area 419 die ring (instead of the Micron double locking rings)...and using a typical Redding shell holder insert (rather than the Area 419 modular shell holder system components).

 

[vh20]

First I size the case body using a Cortina 300NM Expanding Mandrel Die...resizes the case body to a greater extent than does an L. E. Wilson die or a Micron die... and prevents clickers.
Next I use a Micron resizing die with bushing insert to size the neck...in an Area 419 Zero press...securing the Micron die with an Area 419 die ring (instead of the Micron double locking rings)...and using a typical Redding shell holder insert (rather than the Area 419 modular shell holder system components).

Thanks for the info. I haven't had a chance to study the Cortina die yet, but I figured it was doing something similar to the M-series Area419 (using a fixed neck sizing portion to size the neck under mandrel size at the top of the stroke, and then expand it with the mandrel on the way back down. Is this not correct? I ask because if it were that way, it wouldn't seem necessary to have to size again with the Micron?

Also, will the Cortina die bump the shoulders, or is it only doing the body?

Edit: Nevermind, I found a demo video for it, and see it only does the base and the neck i.d.

 

[SEPAboltrifle]

I treat the case necks with 21st Century moly and the Cortina mandrel die does initial neck sizing (and ensures a nice concentric neck I.D.). The Microm sizing die then adjusts shoulder setback and the selected neck bushing allows fine-tuning of the interference fit between neck I.D. and bullet O.D. (which some refer to as "neck tension")

 

[R_A_W]

Is this not correct? I ask because if it were that way, it wouldn't seem necessary to have to size again with the Micron?

No

I'm not talking about the Cortina FL sizing die, just the mandrel die. It's like most mandrel dies, except that it also has the ability to small base size if you screw it into your press far enough.

I have no experience with Cortina's FL sizing dies, but they do not have the ability to mandrel.

 

[R_A_W]

the Cortina mandrel die does initial neck sizing (and ensures a nice concentric neck I.D.). The Microm die neck bushing then allows fine-tuning of the interfernce fit between neck I.D. and bullet O.D. (which some refer to as "neck tension")

unless you're talking about unfired brass, this makes zero sense. even then, it doesn't make much sense

 

[SEPAboltrifle]

Speaking of fired cases:
1. Decap cases
2. Clean cases
3. Trim cases to length
4. Seat primers
5. Treat case necks with moly
6. Cortina mandrel die to size case body only (does not adjust the shoulder setback). The Cortina mandrel (insert) sizes the neck. If preferred, the Cortina mandrel die can be used without any mandrel insert to only size the case body (which eliminates clickers)
7. Micron sizing die ( or any other brand of FL sizing die with neck bushing insert) sets back the shoulder, and depending on the neck bushing selected can further reduce neck (if desired).

 

[vh20]

@R_A_W
@SEPAboltrifle

I ordered the Cortina Mandrel die in 300NM. They don't offer their bushing sizing die in 300NM so that's not an option anyway. But if the Mandrel die will size my bases smaller than my Redding then it may be all I need. I already run my cases through a 21st Century mandrel die after sizing with the Redding Type-S anyway, to push all brass thickness inconsistencies to the o.d. instead of the i.d. As I understand it, I can just sub out the Cortina mandrel die for my 21st Century, size my cases with the Redding first (shoulder bump and neck bushing), then size the necks and base with the Cortina just like I did with the 21st Century (which did nothing for the bases). Does that sound about right?
Thanks for the help - I would never have realized the Cortina die will size the bases smaller, and I wouldn't have known they had one for 300NM, because they don't offer that cartridge in their bushing die, so thanks again for the heads-up.

 

[R_A_W]

As I understand it, I can just sub out the Cortina mandrel die for my 21st Century, size my cases with the Redding first, then size the necks and base with the Cortina just like I did with the 21st Century (which did nothing for the bases). Does that sound about right?

yep

 

[vh20]

yep

Awesome. Thanks! I'll report back after the Cortina die arrives.