Choosing a new 6BR die. Whidden or Warner tool

[Linko]

I am buying a set of dies for my new 6BR rifle. I was going to buy a Whidden but I just ran across the Warner tool dies. I see they have a shim system for the die to adjust headspace. I have a Co-Ax press. Does anyone have any experience with Warner dies?


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[Dusty Stevens]

Did you check prices? Did you know all dies can set the headspace- some are easier than others. Did you check to see if either die will run under the arch of your press?

 

[jbarnwell]

Check out Harrell's Precision, they make a very nice die that is matched very closely to your chamber. I use them in 6ppc, 6br and 30br. They make very good ammo. These are full length bushing dies and come with a shoulder bump guage. You'll need to send them two 3x fired cases and in less than 2 weeks you'll have a new die. Hope this helps.

 

[Mulligan]

I use the Whidden dies in my Co-Ax press, adjust for headspace like any other die. Runout .001 or less on my comparator.
Good luck.

 

[Linko]

Did you check prices? Did you know all dies can set the headspace- some are easier than others. Did you check to see if either die will run under the arch of your press?

Thanks,

No, Yes, No

The size of the dies is extra important with the co ax arch, great point. My Forster seater is quite tall and has lots of clearance. I will look at the lengths of the dies I am considering.

Adjusting head space turning the die locking rings and checking the base to ogive is how I am doing it with my other cartridges. I do like the design of the whidden case gauge to measure headspace after sizing. that looks pritty nice.

I have Forster dies for my .223, With this new caliber I want to be sure I invest wisely, the Forster die I sent 3 fire formed cases and had the sizing die honed for the Lapua brass. I could do the same form this rifle/die combo.

I have read many positive recommendations for Whiddens dies so I thought I would consider them along with another set of forsters.

 

[Linko]

Check out Harrell's Precision, they make a very nice die that is matched very closely to your chamber. I use them in 6ppc, 6br and 30br. They make very good ammo. These are full length bushing dies and come with a shoulder bump guage. You'll need to send them two 3x fired cases and in less than 2 weeks you'll have a new die. Hope this helps.

Did you know I have a Savage F Class rifle chamber?

 

[Steve Blair]

I am buying a set of dies for my new 6BR rifle. I was going to buy a Whidden but I just ran across the Warner tool dies. I see they have a shim system for the die to adjust headspace. I have a Co-Ax press. Does anyone have any experience with Warner dies?

[br]
There is no other die that compares to a custom Warner die. It is, however, very expensive. I use a Warner die for both .284 Shehane and .300 WSM. It is not compatible with your Co-Ax press. I also have a Co-Ax and had to buy another press for the Warner die. It requires the larger 1¼-12 thread. This is usually found in larger presses after removing the ⅞-14 insert. I chose a Lee Classic Cast, which is a sturdy, cast iron O-type press. Several others also have the larger threads. [br]
If you can stomach the cost, there is no finer die available. That said, other semi-custom dies like Harrels will get you most of the way there at lower cost. All of these may be pointless expenditures with a Savage factory barrel. Whidden makes good dies that are likely compatible with your factory chamber. [br]
If you do not have your own reamer and a gunsmith that can produce nearly identical chambers, barrel after barrel, a custom die makes no sense.

 

[Linko]

I am buying a set of dies for my new 6BR rifle. I was going to buy a Whidden but I just ran across the Warner tool dies. I see they have a shim system for the die to adjust headspace. I have a Co-Ax press. Does anyone have any experience with Warner dies?

[br]
There is no other die that compares to a custom Warner die. It is, however, very expensive. I use a Warner die for both .284 Shehane and .300 WSM. It is not compatible with your Co-Ax press. I also have a Co-Ax and had to buy another press for the Warner die. It requires the larger 1¼-12 thread. This is usually found in larger presses after removing the ⅞-14 insert. I chose a Lee Classic Cast, which is a sturdy, cast iron O-type press. Several others also have the larger threads. [br]
If you can stomach the cost, there is no finer die available. That said, other semi-custom dies like Harrels will get you most of the way there at lower cost. All of these may be pointless expenditures with a Savage factory barrel. Whidden makes good dies that are likely compatible with your factory chamber. [br]
If you do not have your own reamer and a gunsmith that can produce nearly identical chambers, barrel after barrel, a custom die makes no sense.

I understand. Thank you. I was getting carried away with this purchase. I am not at the level for the Warner die. Very sensible response to my post, I appreciate.

To your point of a gunsmith producing identical chambers for new barrels. Is there no point sending fired cases and having a die matched to my chamber and the Lapua brass. I understood this is the best way to have the correct neck tension in a non bushing die. should I just use a standard die?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Does it cost extra with whidden? You can send em cases and id bet itll still be fine for your next one. Or just get the standard- on the 6br ive seen em work well with all kinds of chambers

 

[expiper]

OP...just get a Redding type S full length die,,,and the appropriate resize bushing,,,(Prolly .266") ,,,,they work just as good and you dont have to spend as much for a die as you paid for your gun,,,,,Roger

 

[Steve Blair]

To your point of a gunsmith producing identical chambers for new barrels. Is there no point sending fired cases and having a die matched to my chamber and the Lapua brass. I understood this is the best way to have the correct neck tension in a non bushing die. should I just use a standard die?

[br]
The next chamber will be different. I see no need for a custom die at this time.

 

[Linko]

To your point of a gunsmith producing identical chambers for new barrels. Is there no point sending fired cases and having a die matched to my chamber and the Lapua brass. I understood this is the best way to have the correct neck tension in a non bushing die. should I just use a standard die?

[br]
The next chsamber will be different. I see no need for a custom die at this time.

Just a standard die and don't bother honing to accommodate the thicker Lapua necks?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you get a bushing die you can fine tune for each different lot of brass or bullets

 

[potatoe]

To your point of a gunsmith producing identical chambers for new barrels. Is there no point sending fired cases and having a die matched to my chamber and the Lapua brass. I understood this is the best way to have the correct neck tension in a non bushing die. should I just use a standard die?

[br]
The next chsamber will be different. I see no need for a custom die at this time.

Just a standard die and don't bother honing to accommodate the thicker Lapua necks?

Don't over think this man, I know it can get addicting looking into the custom side of things.. A Harrell's FL bushing die will be a good semi custom and do what you need it to they make good straight ammo. The Whidden will probably fit the bill also but you would have to check it to see if it is close to your chamber. I wouldn't at this early part of the game suggest a honed FL die unless you had your own reamers, and knew you weren't planning on changing anything anytime soon.

 

[Patch700]

Check out Harrell's Precision, they make a very nice die that is matched very closely to your chamber. I use them in 6ppc, 6br and 30br. They make very good ammo. These are full length bushing dies and come with a shoulder bump guage. You'll need to send them two 3x fired cases and in less than 2 weeks you'll have a new die. Hope this helps.

Did you know I have a Savage F Class rifle chamber?

If you want the straight truth then call a die maker and tell them you want the very best die available for a factory savage chamber... They will most likely tell you this , "Send us three fireformed cases and we will match it to THAT chamber as closely as possible"

There is quite a bit more to a dies dimensions than merely the neck dia. These are bottle neck cases we're dealing with , that means tapers and datum lines etc.

Good luck

 

[SmokinJoe]

FWIW, I have used Harrell's FL bushing dies in 6PPC, 6BR & 30BR over the years, and all those rifles performed at championship levels, so they do a good job, plus the price is about the same as a Redding type "S" standard die (which is also a good die, just sayin'). Above comments are all good things to consider.

 

[searcher]

I like the Harrel's a lot. I leave my lock ring loose so I can manipulate the shoulder on each batch. If you like the idea of a shimming system - go to Sinclair ad buy a shim kit - as it will work under all your press-mounted dies.