221 FB Lapua brass to 17 FB

[GR5150]

New to 17 FB ... I have just received my set of RCBS 17 FB FL dies. My question is: Is it possible to neck 221FB to 17 FB with the dies I have without crushing the cases? Of course I understand going slow and using proper lubrication foe this process. I have read some posts and it seems like those folks are using pretty expensive form die sets ... and they have way more knowledge/experience than myself. Any good info is appreciated. Thanks, Gary

 

[dsandfort]

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/necking-down-221-to-17.3916205/

The Bullberry is an inexpensive and effective way to go.

 

[GR5150]

Thanks a bunch. Can that die be used to make 223 into 17 FB as well?

 

[Phil]

I had success with a 20 vartarg full length die followed up with a 17 fireball full length die.......

 

[boltfluter]

A trick that I have used is to use the bullet seating die as an intermediate step down die. Worked great for me and you already own it. A win win in my book.

Good luck.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[dsandfort]

Gary. You probably get the drift that there are many ways to accomplish your task. The Bullberry die is not cartridge specific. It's just a double-ended die to take a .22 cal down to .20 cal, then flip it over and take it on down to near .17 cal. and finally the Fireball die as needed. If you adjust it correctly, you should create a small false shoulder on the brass that will headspace the loaded round firm against the bolt. I shoot a 17 Mach IV (basically a 17 VarTarg) and did use the Vartarg die to go to .20 cal. However, the Bullberry die comes in handy for other stuff as well. 17 HeBee, for example. You could accomplish the same thing using a bushing die with a couple of properly selected bushings. Regardless, this is a lot of working of the brass and you might consider annealing.
Just remember that the brass has to go somewhere and you might end up with necks that are too big for you specific chamber, depending on the reamer. Happened to me using Lapua brass for a VarTarg. Had to neck turn.

 

[Phil]

I turned mine too, but i have a tight neck and the 17 Fireball brass needs to be turned anyway........

I can`t remember what my unturned Lapua 17 Fireball brass necks measured...

 

[Mike Casselton]

A trick that I have used is to use the bullet seating die as an intermediate step down die. Worked great for me and you already own it. A win win in my book.

Good luck.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

^^^^^ This is how I did mine.

 

[GR5150]

Thanks for the tips. Been reloading a for a long time but never did any case forming and I have never turned a neck on a case before. Just started sorting brass by weight and using flash hole deburring tools in last 2 yrs. thanks for the info folks. Gary