Compatible/Interchangeable Reloading Equipment

[Proclaim]

I'd like to know what reloading equipment is compatible or interchangeable from one manufacturer to another.

For instance: Hornady bullet comparators will also fit the Sinclair bullet comparator holder.

How about the pilots for handheld case neck turners such as K-M, Sinclair, RCBS, Forster, 21st Century, etc? Does anybody know if any of the pilots are interchangeable? My K-M has a .340" diameter pilot mandrel. What size are any of the others? Found out from RCBS that their hand held case neck turner pilot mandrel is .560" diameter.

I know most of the case holders and dies will interchange and work with whatever reloading press you have, excluding large 1.25x12 or 1.50x12 dies.

The Lee primer case holders are pretty unique, I know Possum Hollow used to make some that would work but haven't seen any of those for quite some time.

What about the pilots for case trimmers such as Hornady, Forster, RCBS, etc.?

Any and all information is appreciated and can save us from spending a lot of time trying to get ahold of technical support people for each manufacturer.

 

[amlevin]

With very few exceptions you will find that there is no real interchangeability among manufacturers other than dies.

 

[barefooter56]

Proclaim,
amlevin is correct in what he says. But here are a few. PMA and Sinclair neck turning mandrels will interchange. On the trimmer pilots you need to check the diameter of the shank of the pilot. If they are the same as the ones made for your trimmer they should work. The Lee priming tool shell holders used to be used in the Sinclair priming tool after they were modified by Sinclair. The Hornady and Sinclair bullet comparator inserts and bump gauge inserts will interchange. The Hornady comparator/bump gauge body is offset to work with the Hornady OAL tool. The Sinclair body is not. Press shell holders will usually interchange. Redding and RCBS for sure. L.E. Wilson, Redding , RCBS and Hornady die bushings will interchange. Any 8/32 threaded case prep accessory for the Lyman Case prep express, Hornady case prep, and RCBS Case Prep Center will interchange. These are a few that I know of. I am sure you will find more as you go along.
Take care,
Phil Hoham
Berger Bullet Tech

 

[hogan]

Think you are Looking In Wrong Direction....

The BEST case trimmer out there is the Wilson.
NO "pilots" used in their or other benchrest quality case trim tools.

Redding and Wilson do both use .500" OD bushings in their interchangeable neck bushing dies.

Neck trimmers routinely use standard carbide bits which are employed in fly-cuters and other machinist specialty tools. Can probably find generic cutters in an industrial tool supply catalog.


Might look at your topic from the other perspective: Which dies are usable among which cartridges. Can tell you that Redding S dies in .308win and .30-06 family can be used to load several cartridges. Forster benchrest and mic-head seaters likewise.

Redding FL S dies are also "body" dies.
A Small Base die will SB size any case of same basic taper and dimension.

If you load ammunition to use in more than one specific rifle, really need to check all variables.

The Redding Type S FL die is extremely multi-functional.
Forster case-body seaters are as well. I use .30-06 dies to load .338-06, and could likewise do so with other .30-06 family ctgs.

For the cost of a mediocre piloted case butchering machine, you can buy used or new Wilson and couple of case holders and have the best there is...

Not like you're gonna ever wear-out a carbide cutter trimming brass cases. $10 or $15 for a replacement cutter for your tool is worth it to save time looking through pages of bit/cutter descriptions and delivery costs.

The Wilson trimmer now has a 30deg chamfering tool that replaces the standard carbide trimmer. Much better than a hand-held unit for consistent results. Lots more options for best uniformity and consistent results.

 

[artbosco]

When it comes to turning and expanding necks STAY with the SAME manufacturer for tools. If you don't, purchase a lot of extra strength Tylenol.

 

[Proclaim]

This is great information, just what I was hoping people would share! Thanks!

hogan, I didn't know L.E. Wilson made a case neck turning tool, please share more. I know from my most recent research that the L.E. Wilson case trimmer is the way to go. CH4D makes a very similar trimmer and L.E. Wilson case holders will work with it.

What started this whole thing for me is that I recently acquired a 375 Cheytac rifle. So I began to research all the reloading tools I would need. K-M doesn't list a 375 pilot or expander on their website so I started looking for other options. I have tried calling K-M but they are closed through the holidays until January 5th. I will call them on the 5th to see if they can help. From my measurements on my K-M neck turner there should be enough room to accommodate the 375 Cheytac case. I'll need to make a minor adjustment to my case holder and also customize a RCBS #47 shell holder to work.

 

[Proclaim]

When it comes to turning and expanding necks STAY with the SAME manufacturer for tools. If you don't, purchase a lot of extra strength Tylenol.

Outdoorsman,
Please share with us your experience that explains your statement. That's what this thread is for - learning from others.