Redding 221 custom form die

[nilebartram]

Redding has made a form die to help convert 223 brass to 221 fireball. nilebartram

 

[SmokinJoe]

Not meaning to hijack your thread nilebartram but a similar issue. Anyone here make their own 22TCM brass, and what are you using? Also, how much is Redding charging for their form die?

 

[chuckshooter]

You really need both form dies to form 221. Smokinjoe is the 22tcm shorter than the fireball, if so die mods would be needed,.

 

[nilebartram]

I have the #83101 form die for 221 too! For the Redding forum die #1 custom $76

 

[SmokinJoe]

Why do you need both dies? I really believe that you could get good results with the "Form & Trim die @ $ 31.00 or so. I have formed brass for a little 22 wildcat with a 22TCM FL die but there is a lube vent hole in the shoulder area that causes problems. I don't think that the Redding form dies have a vent hole so good chance you could get the job done with just one die. Worth a try.
Yes, 22 TCM is very short. Who will cut down hardened dies?

 

[Iowa Fox]

I wonder if p bikes form die is short enough for the TCM? Maybe u think you know will chime in on this one.

 

[SmokinJoe]

I can chime in and tell you that it is not. I am using his die to form my little 22SJ wildcat in my Lee Classic Cast press and ended up with the lock collar about one thread above the die body. BTW, Pbike's form dies do a very nice job. I am sizing Lapua 223 down to 22 in two steps with no problem. Something to be aware of is that these form dies have a 30 degree shoulder angle so not for all cases without taking that into account. I am going to discuss all this with Francis when I get a chance.

 

[Uncle Ed]

Popular Case Forming Dies​

https://www.redding-reloading.com/online-catalog/39-popular-case-forming-dies

"Case forming dies are made on a custom basis for those who wish to form brass cases from one caliber to another. Most case forming is done to produce ammunition that is not factory available. All wildcat cartridges and many obsolete calibers fall into this category. Case forming dies are designed to change the shape of the original parent case in small increments to avoid overworking the brass and to prolong case life. After using the proper form dies and/or Form & Trim Die, full length resizing is required."


NOTE, my comment, case forming and trim dies have larger inside dimentions than a standard dies. And they are designed for a two step sizing process ending with using a standard full length sizing die.

Example I use a Redding .303 British case forming and trim die to bump the shoulders back on my fired cases. The case forming die does not touch the neck or case body. You can place a fired case in the forming die, and it will drop in fully, and then turn the die over and the case will fall out of the case forming die. Meaning the neck and case body are not touched if you put a standard caliber case in the case forming die.

 

[bobcat93]

I would like to add a bit here..
I've spent about 400$ collecting dies to form 221FB , 20VT, . And .17 rem FB I am obsessed with this little pc of perfection..the .221 fireball case is the most perfect balance of power powder and lead in my opinion..and alot of fun to reload.

I've purchased all the dumb dies and all I needed is what finally redding decided to make..221 fireball neck bushing die is all you need..and you can change the neck bushing and slower step the brass down with out crushing all youe brass..
( use almost no lube on case neck ) ive tried powdered graphite and even that make case collapse..i only lube case body..
Save your money and just buy lapua .221 brass
Its worth every penny..just don't forget to anneal it from time to time..

 

[nilebartram]

Should I use the extended shell holder through out the whole forming procedure or just with the forming and trim die?

 

[bobcat93]

I have one..put i think it is only needed with the one die
.I cant stand extended shel jolders..it just makes the press stroke seem so unnatural to me..(how could my ao even shoot straight if my reloading mojo is off..hahaha
I have my procedure written down because once I figured out what worked (perfectly for me and my equipment) I wrote it down ..had alot to do with small adjustments to the dies ..but its all packed up right now

 

[nilebartram]

I tell you one good thing that came out of this, I learned to properly turn necks by hand. Now I can get a drill attachment. I used a PMA neck turner with their shell holder.

 

[ba_50]

Redding has made a form die to help convert 223 brass to 221 fireball. nilebartram

Why not run 222 brass through a 221 die?

 

[nilebartram]

Cause I have tons of 223 brass, cheaper too.

 

[GAnderson]

Not to hijack the thread but I have a question for those that use form/trim dies...what/how do you trim the cases...what do you use to cut the excess neck off? Thanks

Gene

 

[chuckshooter]

Not to hijack the thread but I have a question for those that use form/trim dies...what/how do you trim the cases...what do you use to cut the excess neck off? Thanks

Gene

I use a Makita 9.6 volt cordless reciprocating saw with fine metal blade, at the top of the stroke. then I trim all the brass after i have finished forming with the worlds finest trimmer to finale size. very fast. the top of the form die is hardened, so you could file if you want without hurting the die.

 

[SmokinJoe]

After I form I use a little chinese chop saw that Harbor Freight sells. I think what you use kinda depends on what you are doing and how much. I am making several hundred pieces of brass for a little wildcat with a Pbike form die, then chopsaw, then trim, etc.

 

[GAnderson]

Chuckshooter and SmokinJoe...Thanks for the trim info.
SmokinJoe...I take it you are removing the formed brass from the die and then rough trimming them on the chop saw?

 

[SmokinJoe]

GAnderson, that is correct. The Pbike forming dies are not intended as trim dies and I wouldn't want all that mess in my press area anyway. I do this on a table out in the garage.

 

[GAnderson]

Thanks Joe