Forster decap unit in Redding Dies???

[quacksmoker]

Hi all! First post here. Been loading for only a year now and still a rookie. I am loading for 280 ackley for hunting ammo and running issues with neck concentricity with my Redding Full Length sizer. I was wondering if the forster decapping and expander unit for 280 Rem will fit into my redding die since Forster doesnt make a 280 Ackley FL die.

 

[GrocMax]

This piqued my curiosity so I looked- the retainer cap threads are different, and the Redding NS/FL non-bushing unit appears to use a press in decap pin. This is for Forster bushing dies which uses the adjustable decap pin.

Which Redding die exactly? The bushing dies will be set up with an adjustable decap stem, maybe the decap stems can be swapped if they are the same thread.

If you have access to a machine shop you could probably remove the Redding decap stem and thread the cap for the Forster stem.

 

[GrocMax]

Update-

The Redding decap stem is threaded (blind hole), and the same thread as the Forster bushing die decap stem, you might be able to drill and tap, or counterbore the Redding retainer and use the Forster stem. I'm going to try this I'll report back.

Adjustment is critical when you put the expander near the neck area of the die.

 

[orbitup]

You could leave the decapping pin out altogether and use an expanding mandrel instead.

 

[ireload2]

Get a top bushing that fits the Redding die with the internal thread to fit the Forster decapping rod.
I have one set of dies set up like you want and I installed the Redding carbide button on the Forster decapper too.
I think I used a top bushing from RCBS or Pacific.

 

[quacksmoker]

I dont know if the Redding internal threads will accept the Forster guide bushing. I know RCBS guide bushing and Redding share the same internal threads and the rcbs and forster share the same stem rod thead, so maybe get a RCBS guide bushing, slip in the Forster decap and expander stem unit and screw it in the Redding die?? Forster said they have thier thread is 7/16-20. I dont have a thread gauge to measure my redding dies.

 

[quacksmoker]

GroMax, the die I have for the redding is just a standard non-bushing FL die. The decap unit i wanted to replace with is the Forster benchrest non-bushing Full length die

 

[GrocMax]

Well, Midway stocks the 28 Nosler Forster decap unit (12 bucks) if you want to take a chance. Sorry can't verify cap threads for the Forster BR non-bushing unit, maybe someone else can, if its 1/2 - 20 tpi might be a direct fit for the Redding as the Redding is 1/2 - 20. If the Redding die is taller than the Forster may need a 7mm RUM length unit.

EDIT- Found a Forster non-bushing die in a box of old stuff, can confirm its 7/16 - 20 thread so no-go on the Forster fitting.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Hi all! First post here. Been loading for only a year now and still a rookie. I am loading for 280 ackley for hunting ammo and running issues with neck concentricity with my Redding Full Length sizer. I was wondering if the forster decapping and expander unit for 280 Rem will fit into my redding die since Forster doesnt make a 280 Ackley FL die.

Quack smoker,
I haven’t tried this but could you raise/ screw the Redding expander up in the die to the shoulder area like the Forster. Then decap on a universal die.

 

[quacksmoker]

Quack smoker,
I haven’t tried this but could you raise/ screw the Redding expander up in the die to the shoulder area like the Forster. Then decap on a universal die.

No, the redding expander plug sits too low.

 

[quacksmoker]

Well, Midway stocks the 28 Nosler Forster decap unit (12 bucks) if you want to take a chance. Sorry can't verify cap threads for the Forster BR non-bushing unit, maybe someone else can, if its 1/2 - 20 tpi might be a direct fit for the Redding as the Redding is 1/2 - 20. If the Redding die is taller than the Forster may need a 7mm RUM length unit.

EDIT- Found a Forster non-bushing die in a box of old stuff, can confirm its 7/16 - 20 thread so no-go on the Forster fitting.

Thanks Groc! Appreciate everything! Now the next step is to find if the rcbs spindle bushing will accept the forster setup.

 

[quacksmoker]

Last resort for me, will be to use a body die first and lee collet size after. Any comments for that?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

No, the redding expander plug sits too low.

Ok I have just layed a case and the decapping unit out next to die and thought it would. But you would have to de-prime on a universal decapping die. I thought it might be worth a shot. My die calibers are probably shorter though.

 

[GrocMax]

Well, I have wanted to do this conversion for some time, so I'm going to take a chance and order some Forster non-bushing decap assys, and just shorten it to proper length and screw it into the Redding cap, then fix the expander on the threads with loctite in the proper position. Both are 10-32 threads.

Might also order a Lyman decap assy to see if they are 10-32 and 1/2-20 on the cap assy, this would end up being the adjustable version, Forster spindle and adj nut on a Lyman cap.

BTW Quacksmoker if you get the die neck honed to the proper size, you don't need the expander at all, except to straighten dented necks. The Redding non-bushing die sizes the neck considerably undersize, then the expander pulls it back to size (and many feel out of alignment).

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ditch the expander ball and use either a fl bushing die with no expander or an expander mandrel from porter precision products

 

[GrocMax]

Lyman cap is same as Forster bushing die cap, 9/16" x 16 thread.

 

[jepp2]

I am loading for 280 ackley for hunting ammo and running issues with neck concentricity with my Redding Full Length sizer.

1. Your concentricity issue are "probably" because the neck is being undersized too much, and the expander is having to work too hard to enlarge it. I find if the expander has to increase the case neck more than ~0.0015", even with lube it is going to pull the neck off center some.

2. If you want to raise your expander so it passes through the neck just after the case neck leaves the do, do it. Just thread the expander rod further down and shorten it. See the picture below of the Redding expander. I would add a jam nut or thread locker to hold the rod in place once you get it set where you want it. As mentioned, you will need to decap elsewhere. I do this all the time. It helps, but if your die is undersizing the neck as mentioned in 1. , you are still going to have concentricity issues. I also use Redding carbide expanders, again they help, but can't solve issue 1. on their own. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012424426/redding-carbide-size-button-kit

You ask about using a body die then a collet die, that works just fine, but now you have an extra operation in your loading step. But you will have very straight case necks.

 

[GrocMax]

Jepp2-

You can just shorten then screw the Forster stem into the Redding cap, but because it can't go thru the top as is, you lose the adjustability with the die assembled and in use. Like you said, you can adjust the expander button (whatever brand) and lock it down with threadlocker.

I was hoping to find off the shelf parts that retain the external adjustment feature.

 

[philip brousseau]

i made one for a 338 rum. rcbs die worked with the forster expander.

 

[jepp2]

I was hoping to find off the shelf parts that retain the external adjustment feature.

I haven't tried it, but you could always drill through the top plug and thread it to preserve the external adjustment feature. It is a pretty fine adjustment to have the expander pass through the neck just as it leaves the die neck. If it is too high, you collapse the neck. I know.