Quick Question: Redding Bushing Help

[Fisky]

I'm going to start loading 155 Scenars in Lapua cases, using Varget as powder. Previously, I've used Rem brass, and FL sized only. I'm transitioning to neck sizing as I make the change to Lapua brass. I quickly loaded 10 up over my lunch break in new Lapua cases. All that was done for prep was chamfer/debur. I then went on to measure the neck with a caliper, to figure out what size bushing I need. I will be going with the Redding Competition Bushing Neck Die set.

Of the 10, 8 were .339, one was .338 and the other was .040. What size bushing should I get? I've read a couple different things regarding this, and want to get it right first time.

Thanks

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Quick Question: Redding Bushing Help

My knee jerk reaction to the question would be a .337" bushing, but see what others will suggest.

I use a .337" for Federal brass, .333" for Hornady brass and .331" for Winchester brass. I used a digital caliper, which gave me better readings than my dial calipers.

 

[BBeyer]

Re: Quick Question: Redding Bushing Help

what I do is measure the i.d. of the neck with a set of tenth pin guages and go from there. The i.d. is more important than the o.d. when it comes to picking a bushing to use. The tenth guages are very good at checking neck wall thickness by comparing the i.d.s of a number of cases.

 

[DavidAR10]

Re: Quick Question: Redding Bushing Help

Topic #1: Bushing Selection

http://www.redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips

Measuring the I.D. means nothing when selecting a bushing for the neck's "grip" on the bullet. Measuring the I.D. and O.D. will give you the neck's thickness with a little subtraction and division. It's actually much more complicated, tedious and expensive than that.

Fact: The I.D. of a loaded round shall always be the diameter of the bullet, always. Fizzuks will not be denied.

With that fact and uniform brass, go with a bushing -0.003 for gas guns and -0.001" for bolt guns of the minimum average loaded O.D. of the neck.

Best to you, have at it.

 

[BBeyer]

Re: Quick Question: Redding Bushing Help

David, the key word in your post is uniform. With some [most] of the crap brass that is out there, without proper neck turning you dont know what you are ending up with for an i.d. I agree with you one hundred percent in what you say about the i.d. being bullet diameter, but when you seat that bullet your o.d. can be almost anything. As far as i.d. meaning nothing its a lot easier to get a proper bullet grip knowing the i.d. then it is trying to figure it out with a neck thickness that varies a thou. or two.

 

[DavidAR10]

Re: Quick Question: Redding Bushing Help

Roger That, BB.

I was short on time and wanted to get him loading accurate ammo without blowing a frontal lobe. Just using Redding's directions will do that.

Someone asking how to pick bushings just needs the basics or a complete dissertation with FTF hands on help and a brutal hint on the cost of the tools required for your route.

You introduced him to the start of manic depressive/obsessive compulsive brass prep... which is a pleasure unto itself. ;^)
But, not how to finish the job.

Let's get him addicted, first. Then turn him on to the good stuff.

As far as being easier, that's because THAT IS the way we do it, NOW. We both probably learned it before YouTube.

 

[BBeyer]

Re: Quick Question: Redding Bushing Help

I should have said that I turn necks quite heavily. I makes a difference.

 

[Fisky]

Re: Quick Question: Redding Bushing Help

Appreciate the input. Some say subtract .001, some .002, Redding service tech told me .002-.004. Think I'm going with .002, as that's what a buddy has done and it's worked out great for him, using the same brass and bullets as I.

Measuring OD of loaded rounds, my smallest measurement was .338. .338 - .002 = .336.

Measuring neck thickness of Lapua brass with calipers, .015. .015x2 = .030, + .308 = .338. .338-.002 = .336.

.336 it is....

 

[DavidAR10]

Re: Quick Question: Redding Bushing Help

I have the .334, .335, and .336 in TiN to cover
an APA and AR-10T.

Lapua brass not mixed between the two.