Die oversizing neck

[DShortt]

Sorry if this has been covered before. I did a subject search and didn't see it.

Is there any practical way to open up the neck of a FL sizing die that's oversizing in the neck area? I've a lathe and *some* skill, but I can't conceive anything practical.

The reason I'm asking is I'd prefer to not oversize the neck, then pull it back out with an expander for multiple reasons.

Thanks for looking.

 

[Walt Krafft]

The best way is with a Sunnen hone.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Not really. No matter how you do it, it won't be(most dies) hard all the way through and gives an ugly, scratched up...but serviceable finish. That's why bushing dies exist though.

 

[DShortt]

The best way is with a Sunnen hone.

So.... you're basically saying it requires purchasing a dedicated, large machine?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

So.... you're basically saying it requires purchasing a dedicated, large machine?

And it's still unhardened and will scratch the brass and gall in the die, in short order. If he's ok with that, just get a carbide chucking reamer and send it. Lightly polish with sandpaper and done. It'll do in a pinch

 

[DShortt]

Not really. No matter how you do it, it won't be(most dies) hard all the way through and gives an ugly, scratched up...but serviceable finish. That's why bushing dies exist though.

I suspected that is the easiest, most practical way but I didn't know for certain.
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

 

[DShortt]

And it's still unhardened and will scratch the brass and gall in the die, in short order.

Ok. I follow. Thanks again.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I suspected that is the easiest, most practical way but I didn't know for certain.
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

Yeah, before someone asks...even with a smooth finish, it'll gall and scratch the brass. In fact, the smoother it is, the worse it can be.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Which is why most on here will either use bushing dies or have custom dies made. Moving brass around too much is poor practice.

 

[AlNyhus]

Barrel laps work great for this. -Al

 

[Straightshooter1]

Sorry if this has been covered before. I did a subject search and didn't see it.

Is there any practical way to open up the neck of a FL sizing die that's oversizing in the neck area? I've a lathe and *some* skill, but I can't conceive anything practical.

The reason I'm asking is I'd prefer to not oversize the neck, then pull it back out with an expander for multiple reasons.

Thanks for looking.

I use Forster FL sizing dies and they have a service that if you send them your die or ask for a custom one, they'll send you one to your specification. I have a .308 die that I sent to them for them to ream the neck out to .332. I've sized thousands of rounds with it and no galling as ever occurred. I don't know if the actually reamed the one I sent them or simply sent me one they made to that spec. Either way, I got what I wanted.

 

[memilanuk]

Same here. I've got a Forster F/L die in .308 Win; special ordered it honed with a 0.333" neck. Works just about right for general purpose .308 win ammo for hunting/tactical/PRS type shooting.

 

[Rocketvapor]

The Body only die leaves the neck alone.
Follow with a collet neck die with a mandrel of desired size.

 

[J.J. Coe]

Barrel laps work great for this. -Al

I'll second a open end barrel lap. Pretty inexpensive at Mcmaster carr

 

[NorCalMikie]

The Body only die leaves the neck alone.
Follow with a collet neck die with a mandrel of desired size.

And get rid of the "neck button" that pulls the neck longer with every upstroke.
Neck bushing dies are your friend.

 

[Bill K]

My thought also, much cheaper than working over your present sizing die. Buy a neck sizing die and get the size bushing you need for your neck size.

Neck bushing dies are your friend.

 

[Walt Krafft]

So.... you're basically saying it requires purchasing a dedicated, large machine?

I said best, not cheapest, or easiest. If you work in a toolroom, you probably have one you can use.

 

[AlNyhus]

The hardened layer on dies can be anywhere from .003-.006 thick, depending on the manufacturer. Depending on how much you need to remove, a carbide chucking reamer is another option I use when opening up die necks. JB on a 600 grit ball hone does a nice job polishing the new neck area.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[Will Henry]

You can anneal the die, ream it, then pack it with Kasenit and re-harden. There can be some warpage. I have made dies using mild steel and hardened with Kasenit with good results. WH

 

[SteveUrban]

I did this with a 40-65 die and it worked out great.

Lapping Reloading Dies

In this project I will take you through the steps and method of altering the neck dimension on a standard reloading die. The purpose of this is to maintain neck alignment to the case body for the b…

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