20 Practical Dies - Hornady FL Match Bushing Set

[Dale264]

I know the topic of forming 20Practical brass has been beat to death on here but I only ever see people suggesting Redding Type S FL dies. Hornady offers 223Rem Match Grade bushing type full length sizing dies and I'm curious if these would also work for sizing 223 brass to 20 practical with the appropriate bushings.

I assume they would work but have never seen them mentioned. List price is usually less than 95$ and that comes with a micrometer seater. I use them for my 6br and really enjoy the set and would consider buying a 233rem(#544207) set for an upcoming 20P project if someone can validate this assumption.

Thanks

Update: These dies will work for sizing brass but you will not be able to use the decapping/expander ball spindle in them. The 20cal expander ball hornady makes will not fit the match grade decapping spindle. The 17/20 cal zip spindle hornady offers is not designed for the match grade dies. You will need to deprime fired brass with a lee universal decapping die and their 17/20 guide rod.

 

[GLShooter]

Any bushing style 223 dies should work for making up the 20 Practical cases. The Hornady should be perfect. I use the Reddings myself.

Greg

Here's a Remington switch barrel I did on a 700 SPS using a Tactical Ordnance barrel. Stocky stock and a new Timney trigger.

It shoots OK I guess.

 

[redrockranger]

As i recall Redding and Hornady bushings don't interchange.For me i'd stick with one brand. Most likely Redding.

 

[GLShooter]

A quick Google:

What bushings fit Redding dies?​

Please note: Redding, RCBS, Hornady and Wilson Bushings are interchangeable. Forster Bushings are unique and will only work in Forster bushing dies.

 

[alf]

I use Hornady 6.5 PRC bushing dies for my 6 PRC, works just fine.....

 

[tj66]

I use the Hornady 223 match bushing dies to form 20 practical. Redding bushings work fine.

 

[jpx2rk]

I use the Hornady 223 match bushing dies to form 20 practical. Redding bushings work fine.

Do you remove the spindle when sizing, or leave it in the die???

 

[GLShooter]

On Reddings I never run the spindle. It serves no purpose as I routinely deprime prior to running my brass through SS media. During case forming it serves no purpose.

Greg

 

[hogpatrol]

A quick Google:

What bushings fit Redding dies?​

Please note: Redding, RCBS, Hornady and Wilson Bushings are interchangeable. Forster Bushings are unique and will only work in Forster bushing dies.

Also, Whidden bushings will work.

 

[tj66]

Do you remove the spindle when sizing, or leave it in the die???

Can do it however you like. Just put a 20 cal button or expander on to hold the decapper pin if you want to leave the spindle in.

 

[B23]

Unless the expander ball is undersize and never touches the neck on the down stroke of the press using an expander button/ball defeats the purpose of using a bushing die.

 

[SLAYIN'SWEDE]

I use the Hornady 223 match grade dies for mine. For forming I start with a .233 bushing then end with a .226, mandrel them and load. The seater works great for seating the bullets also!

 

[redrockranger]

As i recall Redding and Hornady bushings don't interchange.For me i'd stick with one brand. Most likely Redding.

I stand corrected. Thank you.
I still would go with Redding.

 

[searcher]

I'd think it would be fine. I opted for the Redding bushing die, though I really like the RCBS competition bullet seater after putting in the .20 caliber plug. Makes loading bullets much easier and the extra price is (somewhat) soon forgotten.

 

[Dale264]

Update: I'm having great luck with the dies necking down brass to the final dimensions with the decapping assembly removed. (This brass is already deprimed)

HOWEVER, the decapping spindle that comes with the match grade dies doesnt fit the 20cal expander ball and I will not be able to deprime brass with these dies once I have fired brass as they are. I thought perhaps the 20cal Zip Spindle setup would be interchangeable but it wont work and there isnt a 20cal option for these match dies. I have a call into their custom shop looking for suggestions.

TLDR: Don't buy these dies if you plan on removing spent primers with them.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Couldn't you get a 20 cal zip spindle for like a 20TAC and the collet nut to do what you want to do? Is the thread in the die body different from 223?

 

[SmokinJoe]

Looked up this die and it appears to be made different from what I was thinking. Another possibility might be a Wilson Bushing FLS configured for 20 Practical. You might give them a call and see if they could/would do that for you.

 

[hogpatrol]

My eyes are starting to ache. The Main Site is your friend.

You are being redirected...

So is Youtube

 

[pdhntr]

Update: I'm having great luck with the dies necking down brass to the final dimensions with the decapping assembly removed. (This brass is already deprimed)

HOWEVER, the decapping spindle that comes with the match grade dies doesnt fit the 20cal expander ball and I will not be able to deprime brass with these dies once I have fired brass as they are. I thought perhaps the 20cal Zip Spindle setup would be interchangeable but it wont work and there isnt a 20cal option for these match dies. I have a call into their custom shop looking for suggestions.

TLDR: Don't buy these dies if you plan on removing spent primers with them.

Another option is a Lee 204 Ruger Collet die for depriming.

There is one on eBay for $36 shipped.

Jim

 

[Dale264]

Looked up this die and it appears to be made different from what I was thinking. Another possibility might be a Wilson Bushing FLS configured for 20 Practical. You might give them a call and see if they could/would do that for you.

I spoke with Hornady this morning and asked specifically if the zip spindle and spindle nut would fit in the match dies. He said they might but it wouldnt work because the inside of the dies are the same shape which is needed for the zip spindle to work. Kind of like a collet? He did an excellent job of explaining why so i didnt question him.

I think a universal 17/20cal decapping die is in my future.