Making neck sizer dies

[RonS]

Can I use my chamber reamer to convert a full length bushing die to a neck sizer bushing die? Are there any pros and cons I should think about before I get started? It seems that I can't find a 6.5 Grendel neck sizer die for my bolt gun.

 

[butchlambert]

I would just make the whole die because your donor die may be hardened.

 

[Tim Singleton]

Butch
For personal use. Is it necessary to have a sizing die hardened?
If I order a sizing reamer to match my chamber can I make a sizing die from a die blank and expect good results without hardening?

 

[butchlambert]

Tim,
The sizing dies that I've made for my self are made by a sizing reamer spec'ed to -.003 smaller in OD just above the groove above the rim and -.002 at the shoulder. I cut the bushing holding part of the die .005 wider to allow my bushing to float. I built a couple that were bushing less, but I just wasn't satisfied. I use no bushing on my decapping pin. I have them Melonite Treated. Melonite just lets them size with less effort only. I think it would be very hard to wear out one that is not hardened or heat treated. If you are not meticulous about cleanliness inside your die or the OD of your brass, trash can embed in your die.
This is my experience only.

 

[RonS]

Gentlemen, I only want to resize the necks of my brass!! I already have a full length bushing die...but I do appreciate your comments for future reference if I decide to have a full set of custom dies made. I was thinking, since neck sizing is not suppose to resize the body that it might be okay to use a chamber reamer to open up the body of the die.

 

[WayneShaw]

Yes you can. One way would be to buy a Newlon die blank, comes with the decapping rod, top cap and predrilled for the caliber you choose. Or you can use the end of a barrel or old barrel, and fabricate yourself.

 

[dmoran]

Neck dies and seating dies are not hardened, and can be reamed/improved with a chamber reamer.
F/L dies and body dies are hardened and can not be reamed after they've been hardened.
Donovan

 

[RonS]

Guys, thanks for the advise, I'm going to reach out to Newlon for help...

 

[WSnyder]

Butch
For personal use. Is it necessary to have a sizing die hardened?
If I order a sizing reamer to match my chamber can I make a sizing die from a die blank and expect good results without hardening?

I would say no to good results. It'll work but your brass will get lots of linear scratches unless you harden it. It won't matter how nice you polish the interior either, it'll scratch the brass unless it's hardened or surface treated like melonite. For a neck bushing style die no hardening needed.

 

[butchlambert]

I would say no to good results. It'll work but your brass will get lots of linear scratches unless you harden it. It won't matter how nice you polish the interior either, it'll scratch the brass unless it's hardened or surface treated like melonite. For a neck bushing style die no hardening needed.

Check my #4 post.

 

[WSnyder]

Check my #4 post.

Yep Butch I read it. I have done this in the past after you did some of the first ones many years ago. I give you the credit for the original info, thanks!

 

[butchlambert]

Yep Butch I read it. I have done this in the past after you did some of the first ones many years ago. I give you the credit for the original info, thanks!

Are you still doing the real fast great handling cars?

 

[WSnyder]

Sent you a PM.

 

[RonAKA]

It seems that I can't find a 6.5 Grendel neck sizer die for my bolt gun.

Would a 6PPC Bushing die from Forster or Redding with the correct bushing size for your brass work? The Forster does not size the body, but only the neck with a shoulder bump optional.

 

[R.Morehouse]

I have a Wilson neck sizing die ( 6ppc ) that i do not use if you would like to buy it for a real " Good Guy " price.

 

[jfseaman]

I would say no to good results. It'll work but your brass will get lots of linear scratches unless you harden it. It won't matter how nice you polish the interior either, it'll scratch the brass unless it's hardened or surface treated like melonite. For a neck bushing style die no hardening needed.

You brass will only get scratches if you do a terrible job of cutting your die. The PTG die blank steel is pretty hard, hard enough to last a lifetime but don't drop it, it will dent.

You can harden the die after it's cut, polished if needed. I think I read on PTG that to harden their die blanks you take it up to 1650 and air cool for a couple hours.

I haven't done it yet but to make a neck sizing die I believe you would: Ream a die blank with your chamber reamer but remember to leave room for the shell holder. Then turn the die around in the lathe and bore to the neck shoulder junction. The same diameter as Redding bushings. Thread it for the same type of retainer as the Redding and good to go.

 

[savagedasher]

You brass will only get scratches if you do a terrible job of cutting your die. The PTG die blank steel is pretty hard, hard enough to last a lifetime but don't drop it, it will dent.

You can harden the die after it's cut, polished if needed. I think I read on PTG that to harden their die blanks you take it up to 1650 and air cool for a couple hours.

I haven't done it yet but to make a neck sizing die I believe you would: Ream a die blank with your chamber reamer but remember to leave room for the shell holder. Then turn the die around in the lathe and bore to the neck shoulder junction. The same diameter as Redding bushings. Thread it for the same type of retainer as the Redding and good to go.

 

[savagedasher]

I have found it best to take a sizeing die to a tool sharping place they honed mine to what ever size I requested . Larry

 

[butchlambert]

jfseaman
"You brass will only get scratches if you do a terrible job of cutting your die"

You are wrong.

 

[Eddie Harren]

jfseaman
"You brass will only get scratches if you do a terrible job of cutting your die"

You are wrong.

You brass will only get scratches if you do a terrible job of cutting your die. The PTG die blank steel is pretty hard, hard enough to last a lifetime but don't drop it, it will dent.

You can harden the die after it's cut, polished if needed. I think I read on PTG that to harden their die blanks you take it up to 1650 and air cool for a couple hours.

I haven't done it yet but to make a neck sizing die I believe you would: Ream a die blank with your chamber reamer but remember to leave room for the shell holder. Then turn the die around in the lathe and bore to the neck shoulder junction. The same diameter as Redding bushings. Thread it for the same type of retainer as the Redding and good to go.

Everything is theory until proven. It then becomes fact.