No neck tension with Whidden non-bushing resizing dies

[clowdis]

Here's one more pic with the decapping assembly completely removed and the press at full stroke. Still getting 0.295" OD on the neck. Thanks.

Looks like a bushing die to me.

 

[Tom3006]

There's no labels that I can see indicating bushing or non-bushing model.
Here's some more pics with and without brass in the die. The main body ID is about 0.5" on the top threaded part then about 1.3" down from the top of the die is where the ID reduces down to ~0.29". That's where you can see the neck of the brass sticking out.

 

[jlow]

Measure a fired case and then size and measure the neck again. Take out the expander first and if it isn't making the necks smaller something is wrong. Matt

I think Matt idea of measuring before and after sizing is the way to go. There is no way a FL sizing die is not going to reduce neck diameter of a fired case. If it does not then there is something wrong with the die regardless of whether it is a bushing die or not.

 

[Tom3006]

They do produce a FL bushing die I have one for my 338. The decaper pin should stick past the die body. Did you check and see if the neck was push back from resizing the case?

Yes, when resizing my brass I had the decapper pin protruding about 0.19" past the die body. I adjusted the die height on the press so that it maintains the same headspace of the resized brass as the fired brass. I checked to make sure it would cycle ok in my rifle and it did. It's just not resizing the neck at all.

 

[John Russell]

I think Matt idea of measuring before and after sizing is the way to go. There is no way a FL sizing die is not going to reduce neck diameter of a fired case. If it does not then there is something wrong with the die regardless of whether it is a bushing die or not.

A bushing FL die does not size the neck unless there is a proper sized bushing in place.

 

[jlow]

A bushing FL die does not size the neck unless there is a proper sized bushing in place.

Yes of course... I use one. The point is if the OP is suppose to have a FL sizing die (not a FL bushing die), it has to size the neck.

 

[dedogs]

there is something wrong with the die regardless of whether it is a bushing die or not.

Really? So if I put a .330 bushing in a full length bushing die for a cartrdge that has a .262 , that die will size the neck? How? dedogs

 

[Terry Altom]

I've got the craziest idea of them all. Call Whidden. Send your pics to them. You'll probably end up at the correct answer and a fix much quicker.

 

[Tom3006]

I've got the craziest idea of them all. Call Whidden. Send your pics to them. You'll probably end up at the correct answer and a fix much quicker.

You're absolutely right, taltom. I called them yesterday morning, but I guess because of the holiday they were closed so I left them a message. In the mean time while waiting for a call back I figured I would post this thread to see what everyone thought and make sure I wasn't missing something. I'm looking forward to see what Whidden says. I'll be sure to post their response. Thanks!

 

['Freak]

If that brass is from Hornady factory loaded rounds fired the one time, and if you have more of the same batch still unfired, measure the neck OD of a loaded round still with the factory seated bullet. Whidden either boo booed your die or the die’s neck sizing portion is expecting to see thicker neck walls than those of your brass.

 

[Tom3006]

If that brass is from Hornady factory loaded rounds fired the one time, and if you have more of the same batch still unfired, measure the neck OD of a loaded round still with the factory seated bullet. Whidden either boo booed your die or the die’s neck sizing portion is expecting to see thicker neck walls than those of your brass.

Good idea...I measured multiple brand new Hornady rounds and they're coming up with 0.290" neck OD's. My resized brass is 0.295" so looks like my die is not resizing the necks properly.

 

['Freak]

During the discussion, offer to send ‘em a couple or three of your once fired cases along with their dud die, so they’ll be able to make sure you’re getting back the right die, like maybe a custom fit; for your inconvenience ...

 

[dickn52]

Make sure you didn't get a bushing die shipped to you by accident. It wouldn't be the first time something like that happened.


What ever the case I have no doubt that John's folks will take care of you.

And that is what happened to me last month and they corrected it overnight.

 

[Tom3006]

During the discussion, offer to send ‘em a couple or three of your once fired cases along with their dud die, so they’ll be able to make sure you’re getting back the right die, like maybe a custom fit; for your inconvenience ...

Good call! Yeah I was planning to work up a load this weekend and head to the range and take advantage of the nice weather we had here in Denver. Instead I've been messing with this die all weekend.

 

[dickn52]

Remember, the Whidden dies do NOT cam over. You set them and then back off the shell holder.

 

[dkhunt14]

Remember, the Whidden dies do NOT cam over. You set them and then back off the shell holder.

That depends on headspace of gun and how much you need to bump.Matt

 

[Tom3006]

Well mystery solved. Whidden confirmed they accidentally sent me a bushing die. They apologized and sent me back a non bushing die via Priority mail. No reimbursement for my shipping however. I tried out the new die and it seems to be working fine. The case necks are coming out .286" OD. Thanks everyone for your comments and advice.

 

[goneshootinginAZ]

Well mystery solved. Whidden confirmed they accidentally sent me a bushing die. They apologized and sent me back a non bushing die via Priority mail. No reimbursement for my shipping however. I tried out the new die and it seems to be working fine. The case necks are coming out .286" OD. Thanks everyone for your comments and advice.

I just purchased a non-bushing die set in 6.5 Creedmoor from Whidden as well. I had some questions they helped with with both over the phone and by email. I'm very pleased with the dies and the service! I tried a number of other manufacturer's dies in the past on other calibers and these are the easily best I've ever purchased. I do plan plan to purchase the expander ball set to experiment with adjusting next tension after doing some basic load work up on a new rifle with these dies. As an aside I learned the recently shipped sets like yours and mine already come with the smaller diameter decapping pin that will work the soon to be released 6.5 Lapua brass - a nice touch I think and shows they are thinking ahead, even if they are human like all the rest of us!

 

[timeout]

Make sure you didn't get a bushing die shipped to you by accident. It wouldn't be the first time something like that happened.


What ever the case I have no doubt that John's folks will take care of you.

Bingo! First reply to this thread.

 

[jlow]

Well mystery solved. Whidden confirmed they accidentally sent me a bushing die. They apologized and sent me back a non bushing die via Priority mail. No reimbursement for my shipping however. I tried out the new die and it seems to be working fine. The case necks are coming out .286" OD. Thanks everyone for your comments and advice.

That is disappointing. This is a pretty big mistake and part of it is I am sure because they do not label the dies. It cost the OP time and money not to mentioned wasted components - and they don't even reimburse shipping? Not impressed.