221 fireball collet die....

[sqrlgtr]

I'm wanting to turn down an extended shell holder down to fit up in my 223 lee collet die to neck size 221 fireball brass. My question is will I need to turn whole length of extended shell holder or just part of it? I don't have shell holder in my hands yet and may be able to tell more about it when I do but was hoping someone who had done this before might chime in. I believe you can use a 22 ppc collet die to size the 221 also, without having to use extended shell holder, but lee doesn't offer those anymore either... I already have 221 body die and really like the lee colet die's when I dont turn necks so.....

 

[SKWERLZ]

You have approximately a .58 disparity to the base of the neck to accommodate for.
You could turn down the collet bottom, body and mandrel fairly easily

 

[SeabeeKen]

SK is correct. Ive done this to make a 250 Savage collet die from a 257 Roberts die and it worked very well

 

[sqrlgtr]

Im sure you can turn down die bottom, mandrel and collet, but I know Ive seen where someone had turned down an extended shell holder so that it would fit up inside die thus allowing brass to reach collet ....

 

[SKWERLZ]

Im sure you can turn down die bottom, mandrel and collet, but I know Ive seen where someone had turned down an extended shell holder so that it would fit up inside die thus allowing brass to reach collet ....

You’d need one hell of a tall shell holder.
Certainly could be custom made.

 

[sqrlgtr]

 

[sqrlgtr]

^^^^^
I found this pic on sabier and this is what I was wanting to do. Its a redding no. 10 extended shell holder turned down to fit up inside collet die. I was hopeing someone would know how far down " length wise" to turn shell holder???

 

[SKWERLZ]

^^^^^
I found this pic on sabier and this is what I was wanting to do. Its a redding no. 10 extended shell holder turned down to fit up inside collet die. I was hopeing someone would know how far down " length wise" to turn shell holder???

Just look at a .221 and 223 print and do the math.
Really without parts in hand I’d be leery of just cutting it.

 

[sqrlgtr]

Me too, I don't even have the extended shell holder in hand right now. Might be able to tell more about it when all parts are here was just hoping someone might have one already fixed to give me some idea lol...

 

[NorCalMikie]

RCBS Competition Dies in .223 uses an extended shell holder to ALSO do the .221 Fireball in the same die. I use them quite often when doing my Wildcat rounds. Whatever works to get the job done.
That's why over time, we end up with so many GOODIES.

 

[sqrlgtr]

Ok got some measurments off of saami chamber prints.All of these measurements are the difference from 223 to 221FB
base to shoulder junction .3674 base end of shoulder
base to shoulder junction .3598 bullet end of shoulder
OAL .360
Im thinking about .370" should be plenty to turn down too on extended shellholder.

 

[Frankm]

Made one out of 223 collet die by cutting difference in case lengths off the collet bottom in a mill. Works slick, use it in my Dillon 560 and no lube required!!

 

[JSH]

That interrupted cut may be hard on equipment. Grinding may be better?
I was going to do the same, then came to my senses and went with a FL bushing die.

 

[Rat Rifle]

Does LEE no longer offer custom Collet Dies ?

Couldn’t find the service on the site.

 

[Lucky Shooter]

I hope Lee doesn't discontinue the supply of custom Collet Dies.

I bought a custom 20 VT die from them and its nice.

Somewhere a long time ago, I was given a 22 PPC Collet
die and it also does a good job on 221 FB cases. It sizes
some ??? amount to the front end of the neck. There's
not a lot of neck on the FB case so I haven't changed anything.

I've also learned to have more control of the amount of neck
that gets collet sized by using the next longest collet and facing
an amount off the collet bottom end---chuck lightly, tap around,
indicate face, eventually chuck a bit tighter and when it indicates
good-----be patient and take small cuts-----continue to check
with indicator and make adjustments as needed.

I've done this with a 223 collet to use the long neck of the 222----
worked very well.

I also used a 222 collet to adjust to the 22 PPC----not quite as much neck
as a 222. Made up a few cases for friend to try in his 22 PPC. He seemed
to like the results----my next barrel will be a 22 PPC.

I hope one of you guys will take some of this and improve it.

A. Weldy

 

[sqrlgtr]

Does LEE no longer offer custom Collet Dies ?

Couldn’t find the service on the site.

no more 221 fb

I hope Lee doesn't discontinue the supply of custom Collet Dies.

I bought a custom 20 VT die from them and its nice.

Somewhere a long time ago, I was given a 22 PPC Collet
die and it also does a good job on 221 FB cases. It sizes
some ??? amount to the front end of the neck. There's
not a lot of neck on the FB case so I haven't changed anything.

I've also learned to have more control of the amount of neck
that gets collet sized by using the next longest collet and facing
an amount off the collet bottom end---chuck lightly, tap around,
indicate face, eventually chuck a bit tighter and when it indicates
good-----be patient and take small cuts-----continue to check
with indicator and make adjustments as needed.

I've done this with a 223 collet to use the long neck of the 222----
worked very well.

I also used a 222 collet to adjust to the 22 PPC----not quite as much neck
as a 222. Made up a few cases for friend to try in his 22 PPC. He seemed
to like the results----my next barrel will be a 22 PPC.

I hope one of you guys will take some of this and improve it.

A. Weldy

They dont make 22ppc collet anymore either. The 22ppc collet die route was what I was going to do. I guess if I cant turn the extended shell holder down where it will fit up into collet I will just go to a regular 221fb die of some kind. I will be using Nosler once fired brass from factory ammo and some necks are pretty good and other as much as .0018" difference in neck thickness....

 

[sqrlgtr]

Just an update. Got extended shellholder turned down to work with 223 collet die havnt tried to use it yet but dont see any reason it want work… Only thing is I might have to shim between shellholder and end of collet because shoulder may bottom out in collet, cut twice and measure once lol…Useing a shim Shouldnt be any problem though, if it is a little to deep…. Hopefully this may help someone later on that is wanting a 221 Fireball collet die.. Oh yeah had to drill cap also for decapoing/mandrel to slide up into for the shorter 221FB….