Forster NS-F, neck sizing die, No bushing?

[Colt Kodiak]

I was fortunate enough to find a 3 die set of Forster dies for a .223 Remington for my rifles. But, the neck size die does not have a replaceable bushing like a Redding would. Just wondering if anyone knows the diameter of the neck sizer in this die?

 

[jepp2]

Just wondering if anyone knows the diameter of the neck sizer in this die?

Try sizing a case and measuring the neck OD. Add 0.001" for springback and you should be pretty close.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Okay. That would do it. What tool does anyone use for measuring the diameter of the brass? I have a digital caliper. Thanks

 

[243winxb]

You could remove the expander and neck size a fired case. Then measure the outside of the neck. Should be close to the dies diameter.

I typed slow.

 

[lpreddick]

You could remove the expander and neck size a fired case. Then measure the outside of the neck. Should be close to the dies diameter.

I typed slow.

Fl and neck sizing dies that have an expander ball always size the neck excessively in regards to loading a bullet. The expander ball has to get pulled back thru the neck. I don't like such dies as they work the brass a lot and that expander stretches the neck each time it's used. Forester makes nice FL and neck dies that use bushings.

 

[243winxb]

True. I use Redding and i size about 1/2 of the necks.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Fl and neck sizing dies that have an expander ball always size the neck excessively in regards to loading a bullet. The expander ball has to get pulled back thru the neck. I don't like such dies as they work the brass a lot and that expander stretches the neck each time it's used. Forester makes nice FL and neck dies that use bushings.

Thanks. Their neck sizing die has a depriming rod with the expander ball. Why could I not take that rod/expander ball out while doing the neck sizing? I love the Reddings with the bushing but I paid $50 for the Forster 3 die set for the .223. Thinking it was a great deal, but maybe not.

 

[mensajd]

Fl and neck sizing dies that have an expander ball always size the neck excessively in regards to loading a bullet. The expander ball has to get pulled back thru the neck. I don't like such dies as they work the brass a lot and that expander stretches the neck each time it's used. Forester makes nice FL and neck dies that use bushings.

Forster will custom hone the neck diameter of their dies for $12 + shipping.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Forster will custom hone the neck diameter of their dies for $12 + shipping.

That... is nice to know. I wonder what it is now and what I want it to be.... time will tell.

 

[th82457]

Do not get in a hurry to ditch the Forster dies. Remove the de-capping pin in both the FL & neck dies. Then size a case in each and measure the neck O.D. Compare this to the neck diameter of a loaded round. Assuming your sized brass may be a few thousandth's smaller than the loaded round then send each stripped die to Forster and ask them to grind the neck diameter of the die to a dimension roughly .002" to .003" smaller than your loaded round neck diameter. Allowing for spring back, this should leave you with a set of sizing dies that will have between .001" to .002" of neck tension when used without the expander ball. Just make sure you plan to use a specific brand / neck thickness when setting your dimensions. Forster offers this service for their dies for $12 per die plus shipping the last time I had a set done. A very good option as you will have custom tailored dies that leave your case concentric to the neck without the complexity of a bushing die. Also $ 50 for a 3 die Forster set is a great deal. Just my two cents.

Terry

 

[KMart]

Forster will custom hone the neck diameter of their dies for $12 + shipping.

They may not be doing this right now. Check with them before sending it in for service.
I contacted them this morning and asked if they could cut a seating die chamber using my chamber reamer and they said that they don't have machine time for that.

 

[jepp2]

They may not be doing this right now.

On their website many services are not listed as currently available, however they still list die honing as a service they will provide.

CUSTOM NECK HONING OF FORSTER FULL LENGTH SIZING or NECK SIZING DIE
We custom hone the inside neck diameter by using a diamond stoning process. We enlarge the inside diameter to your specification to prevent over-sizing of the case neck due to thick neck walls. You may require this service for multiple reasons: 1) If you use some brands of brass cases which have thicker neck walls. 2) If you do not intend to outside neck turn case necks that have thickened after repeated firings. Please specify desired inside neck diameter. Note: 1) No more than .008″ stock removal from your existing die neck diameter is possible. 2) Honing is done in increments of one half thousandth of an inch (.0005″), meaning that your specified inside diameter must be either.XXX0″ or .XXX5″.
$12.00 plus actual return shipping cost & insurance Please allow 1-3 weeks.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Thanks guys. I do have 3 .223 rifles, among others that I plan on taking prairie dog hunting this summer (if I can find a private ranch that will have me??). So can't really hone it down. Does anyone remember the T/R ranch in Recluse, Wy? Hunted there 30 years ago. Want to do it again.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

After our discussion with the Forster dies. I fired rounds and ran them through the neck sizer. With the ball expander in and the primer ejector, just preforming 1/2 the necks, they came out .246. So in my calculations that is not too bad for a .223 neck sizer. I'll keep it around.