Custom die

[frankmueller]

I got covid just in time for Christmas and had a lot of time to read on the internet. As a result, I realized that I "need" a new rifle ...
And although I vowed not to consider a cartridge that is not popular in the US, because the choice of dies etc. is simply much better, things turned out differently.
I am interested in a cartridge that is CIP approved but not Saami approved. Dies are available from Lee and Triebel. I don't want Lee, Triebel is only available with a 1 1/4" thread, i.e. I would need a new press. I would also have to have the die honed to fit.

So I came to the conclusion that I would have to have a custom die made.

And now to my question: do you have any experience of having a die made from a chamber print or is it better to use fire-formed brass?
Which manufacturer can you recommend (I know of Redding, Whidden)?

Thanks a lot!

 

[LHSmith]

Many popular single stage presses have a reducing bushing threaded into the 7/8 -14 press top.
Whidden from experience with fireformed brass per their direction.

 

[frankmueller]

Many popular single stage presses have a reducing bushing threaded into the 7/8 -14 press top.

I use a Forster co-ax…

 

[LHSmith]

I use a Forster co-ax…

 

[moondog]

I've not had the best luck with Widden customs. Great customer service, but missed the mark on 3 attempts. Redding did a good job for me on a custom for another project. Can't say enough good on my Warner I had done, pricey, but wow.
I'd send in the 3 time fired brass if I were you. It can be a bit of a conundrum as you need a die to resize brass your trying to get a Die made for.

 

[std7mag]

Personally, if Lee has it available, i'd use them.
I have, use, and still buy Lee dies for new cartridges.
Never had any issues.
I've even done some forming with their dies.
7mm Rem Mag to 6.5mm Rem Mag.

 

[kenhwind]

They might have a set. My first press and dies were CH.

https://chtoolanddie.com/home

 

[3Ackleys]

Hornady will make custom dies, and they work perfectly.

 

[frankmueller]

Personally, if Lee has it available, i'd use them.
I have, use, and still buy Lee dies for new cartridges.
Never had any issues.
I've even done some forming with their dies.
7mm Rem Mag to 6.5mm Rem Mag.

I find the Lee set too expensive at 150€ / $165...

 

[Preacher]

Warner tool is hands down the best of the best..
3 x fired brass is needed, or a chamber cast..

 

[frankmueller]

They might have a set. My first press and dies were CH.

https://chtoolanddie.com/home

No, they have not.

 

[frankmueller]

Warner tool is hands down the best of the best..

But would require a new press

 

[cmysix]

Send 3 fired cartridges to Redding, They will put it in their optical comparator and tell you if a custom die makes sense, I have a .30-06 German Salazer chambered rifle and thought I needed a custom die, Redding told me I did not.

 

[pdhntr]

I've not had the best luck with Widden customs. Great customer service, but missed the mark on 3 attempts. Redding did a good job for me on a custom for another project. Can't say enough good on my Warner I had done, pricey, but wow.
I'd send in the 3 time fired brass if I were you. It can be a bit of a conundrum as you need a die to resize brass your trying to get a Die made for.

Same here. Gave Whidden 3 attempts and they still couldn't get it right. Moved on.

Jim

 

[bozo699]

I use a Forster co-ax…

The Forster uses 7/8x14 any of the dies mentioned use that format. What exactly is your new chambering?… there’s probably many dies that could be capable of neck sizing a few pieces so you could get multiple firings so you could send them to a die maker.
Wayne

 

[frankmueller]

I'm thinking about the 8,5x55 Blaser. My decision is not yet final

 

[Bob3700]

Same here. Gave Whidden 3 attempts and they still couldn't get it right. Moved on.

Jim

what were the issues u had with ur die? I was considering sending the three fired cases to make a FL bushing die.

 

[bozo699]

I'm thinking about the 8,5x55 Blaser. My decision is not yet final

Hornaday makes a inexpensive die that you can purchase if you don’t want to go custom
Wayne

 

[lgwatson]

Many popular single stage presses have a reducing bushing threaded into the 7/8 -14 press top.
Whidden from experience with fireformed brass per their direction.

Whidden made me a custom sizing and it is very good.

 

[LHSmith]

Whidden did fine for me with a Swede Improved. I would use them again. Hornady and Redding were not doing customs for awhile, but I see they advertise them in their catalogs. Still I prefer a shop that handles customs on a regular basis.