Bushing Size Up or Down?

[centershot]

Is the bushing for a sizing die supposed to go stamped side up or down?

 

[Bob Sebold]

Up

 

[L.Sherm]

Read Reddings site DOWN!

 

[nmkid]

I've used my Reddings both ways...Doesn't seem to make a difference either way.

 

[dmoran]

Quote from Redding website: "We like to install them with the letters down to start with."

 

[MarTay6]

In the Wilson neck sizing dies, the numbers go UP on the bushings.... numbers down gives you a few 10 thousands less diameter. There IS a slight taper to the bushing. This vider refers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=240&v=W__vHc9HwSA
Wes

 

[LHSmith]

The reason is >sometimes the stamping creates a high spot on one side of the die. By putting stamped side down the bushing cannot cock and influence the neck on the upstroke of the press ram - i.e. the top of the bushing is not truly perpendicular to the ID. Also remember you are supposed to let the bushing float by not fully tightening the bushing retainer. Redding dies are NOT tapered.....at least they are not supposed to be.
Othersmanufacturers mark the size on the OD preventing such problems.

 

[centershot]

CRT says "engraved side down." They are not stamped, they are laser etched.

 

[potatoe]

Wilson must have a sloppy laser because they look stamped to me. I don't know how they do it but it does not look etched, redding is marked more precise . I still use em both. Actually I prefer Wilson because of the finish

 

[CustomReloadingTools]

actually we engrave our bushings in the Haas CNC mill, it makes for a very uniform method of marking and doesn't displace/distort the metal like a punch will. We recommend our bushings be used with the engrave side face down in the die. This is primarily due to the fact that originally we didn't put much of a radius on the backside of the bushing. We have since changed the design and put a larger radius on the backside of the bushing which would potentially be helpful if you are stepping brass down in size for wildcatting purposes.

 

[MarTay6]

I guess the best advice would be to go with whatever the manufacturer of your die/bushing recommends . I have Wilson dies, so that is whose recommendations I'll go with
Wes

 

[drno009]

Redding stamped side up!!!

If you don't believe my advice; send an email to Redding and ask the same question!!!

 

[MarTay6]

Again, it depends on the manufacturer! No one is arguing what Redding is saying! Wilson says lettering side up... and I posted their video that quoted this!
Wes

 

[dixieppc]

http://www.redding-reloading.com/images/stories/PDFfiles/b-nkquickstart.pdf

Attention to #1 (First Step Listed)

Now that is Redding's instructions when installing a Redding bushing in a Redding die. I use Redding TN bushings in Harrell dies so don't know if there is a difference (up or down) but choose to run the bushings stamped side down via Redding's suggestions as to placement of the bushing in their own dies.

Regards....

 

[barefooter56]

I run the Redding bushings with the numbers facing down. BUT if you want to do an experiment. Take two fired pieces of brass and run one through the die with the numbers up. And run the other through the die with the numbers down. Then check the neck run out on a concentricity gauge. Use the bushing in the direction that has the least run out. If they are both above .005 you have die issue. Loosen the screw in the locking ring ( if it has one) and run the experiment again with both of the same pieces of brass and use the best result. Now you know which way to orient the bushing and that you probably need to change the style of lock ring or use an o-ring under the lock ring to get all the problems fixed. L.E.Wilson bushings are tapered and are used numbers up. Both bushings can be interchanged . They also work in Newlon, Hornady, and a few other bushing style dies. Forster bushings used in their bump dies are proprietary.

 

[Brians356]

Quote from Redding website: "We like to install them with the letters down to start with."

That's about as doctrinaire as "I like to tie my left shoe first."

Obviously makes no difference to them. If it did, they would stamp "This Side Up!" on it. The orifice is a cylinder and the radius of the entry is the same on either end. If anyone can measure an asymmetry, let me know.

 

[Brians356]

<crickets>

 

[LHSmith]

^^^^^ Do what you think is right. Myself, I have seen some of the stampings on Redding bushings and they definitely have raised edges. Did I measure them - no. To me it makes more sense to simply install engraving down and not worry about it. I have since replaced most of the Redding bushings with carbide ones where the sizes are available , or Wilsons because they work better for me. I got rid of all the Ti N bushings because they are the worst for creating problems.

 

[Brians356]

^^^^^ Do what you think is right. Myself, I have seen some of the stampings on Redding bushings and they definitely have raised edges. Did I measure them - no. To me it makes more sense to simply install engraving down and not worry about it.

Fair enough. I concede your logic is sound and doesn't cost anything to adhere to. You've won me over. Kudos!