.20 Practical problem....

[rotdog308]

This should have it's own thread. Sorry about posting to the end of prior thread.
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Building a 20 practical. (Savage/ Shilen barrel ) I want to buy Lee collet dies, because I have had more success with them than any brand...been loading since 1974.

But, the problem is...Lee needs 2 fired cases.
I do not have fired cases. I do have the barrel and action though.

My first thought was to pour a sulfur casting and send to Lee.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

rotdog308

 

[possum1]

Don't have the answer but would like to hear more about your success with Lee though. Compared to what ? Lee is all I've used and thought about trying some other brand. Are you referring to the collet die in perticular ? I'm shooting 223 and the cases seem to last forever sizing with the collet.

 

[kitsap]

If someone you know has a set of Redding competition dies for .223 you can buy or borrow a bushing for 204 Ruger (.228-.230) and assemble a few rounds for you to fire in your new rifle. The .223 seating die works fine with the 20 Practical.

DougF

 

[DogBuster]

Here's what I use.....

Lee 204 collet die

Forster BR 204 seater die

Redding 223 neck die w/227 bushing

3900 fps w/moly 40 V max.....

26/H4895.....

simple...no Practical.......

 

[rotdog308]

SOLUTION: I think a solution would be easy, if I could have help from a 20 practical owner. I could use sized case to fire form in my rifle. I would need 3 empty and unprimed cases from a sympathetic 20 Practical owner. I would prime & charge & fill with cream of wheat. Works every time. Could I impose on a ??? 20 owner to help me solve this situation? Pleassssssssssssssssssssssse.

I'll pay for case and shipping.


rotdog308

 

[spclark]

Cast Sulfur may not be the best - or safest - material to use for this operation.

There's a product sold by MidwayUSA (among many other vendors) called CERROSAFE which melts below the temp of boiling water. It's also reusable many, many times.

http://www.hitechalloys.com/hitechalloys_002.htm

http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#cerrosafe____-_1-2-4_8-16-32

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=10387/guntechdetail/Hints_For_Using_Cerrosafe

(Sulfur must be heated far beyond this temp to be pourable, and may catch fire... exposing you to sulfur dioxide fumes, quite hazardous to your eyes and lungs in any concentration.)

There's a reamer drawing for the original .20 Practical cartridge here:

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek061.html

- which should suffice for Lee to work from if that's what you have. Check with the 'smith who chambered your rifle to learn just which reamer was used.

I think a chamber cast is a good idea but don't take unnecessary risks to acquire one.

 

[TominSWNY]

As dog buster said:

Redding 223 neck die w/227 bushing or the full len sizing bushing die and the seater and you are good to go. And that little bugger will go.

3 shot group today with 39gr Blitz Kings of .178 at 3800 fps.

 

[Kenny474]

Can you really get good results necking .223 brass down to .20 with a collet die? I would think the collet would cause issues with the process, like brass flowing between the fingers of the collet or something along those lines. I have never tried it, so I am curious about the results.

It seems like a bushing die would be best, but having never done it, the collet may work great. I do like Lee's collet dies, as I too have had good results from them and the price is great as well.

 

[DogBuster]

Use the bushing die....GI 223 may have to be turned down for

the .227 bushing......I've never had luck with the 39 SBK....

The 40 V max is awesome....in the 20 VT too.....

 

[Recko555]

Sent you a PM. I will send you some cases.

 

[Recko555]

Haven't heard from you. Need your address to send cases to.

 

[moorepower]

How are you going to form your brass with the collet die? It may be fine for reloading after forming, but I don't think it will work from start to finish, but I have been wrong before.

 

[rotdog308]

Had a computer meltdown....replaced unit today.

Had someone send brass to me yesterday.... but THANKS for responding. Could not go online until now. I have a friend whom forms completely w/ collet die. I just need the brass, fired from my chamber, to send to LEE to make the dies. Then I'll make my own brass.

Rotdog308