Converting 6.5x284 dies to 284 winchester

[vanwhyjr]

So why can't I just buy a new 7mm bushing and carbide expander button and jump up to 284 with my 6.5 sizer? And just buy a new 7mm micrometer top for my seater? The main dimensions are the same for 6.5 x 284 as they are for the 284 winchester. Just the neck is smaller, right?

Opinions??

vanwhy

 

[Brians356]

Yes you can simply update the die components, but you still need to expand the necks one time. Is your assumption that your 7mm expander button will slip through the neck going into the fired 6.5-284 case? I don't believe it will.

Better to get a Sinclair Gen II Expander Die and a 7mm "oversize" mandrel.

PS Depending on style of seater, the pass-through hole for the neck may be too small. Otherwise you may not need even a new micrometer top for the seater, perhaps only the seater stem itself (the part that contacts the ogive) but I'd call the die manufacturer about all this.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I dont think your neck will go thru the neck hole in the die

 

[DaveTooley]

You need to measure the neck diameter in your die. It may need to be enlarged with either a carbide chucking reamer or a carbide boring bar. The reamer will work better because of the length required to use a boring bar.

 

[Brians356]

I dont think your neck will go thru the neck hole in the die

Yep, that will be a problem for both dies come to think. Easy for someone so equipped to open them up, but now the part swap simple upgrade is off the table.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Theyre as hard as woodpecker lips in that area. A regular drill just mangles thru it and leaves a ripped finish

 

[Brians356]

Theyre as hard as woodpecker lips in that area. A regular drill just mangles thru it and leaves a ripped finish

Yep, "someone so equipped" for the mod. That's not a common drill press.

 

[vanwhyjr]

They are type R, bushing dies. Isn't that where the neck size is created? Not sure about the seater??

 

[Brians356]

They are type R, bushing dies. Isn't that where the neck size is created? Not sure about the seater??

I'm not familiar with any "type R", do you mean "Type S" from Redding?

 

[vanwhyjr]

LOL yes, type S. Sorry

 

[Brians356]

LOL yes, type S. Sorry

In "Type S" only the bushing touches the neck, there is a pass-through hole for the neck but the clearance is very small since the bottom of the die is a "body die" which sizes the body/shoulder and must catch as much of the shoulder as possible without sizing the neck proper.

You're really wasting your time with this, better to buy proper replacement dies and possibly sell off your 6.5-284 dies which are still valuable.

 

[vanwhyjr]

Thanks Brian. I was just doing some investigating. That's most likely what I'll be doing.

 

[Laurie]

I got myself a .284 Forster Bushing-Bump sizer die starting with the 6.5-284 (Forster doesn't make its B-B in 284). As Dave Tooley and Dusty Stevens say, you have to open up the hole below the bushing. A friend with a lathe did it for me after I bought an 8mm dia. carbide drill on EBay. As I use a mandrel expander as a separate operation, there was no issue over this aspect. (Forster B-B dies come without an expander button anyway, just a decap pin.)

 

[Clavius-Walker]

Or if you don't want to buy an expander and die you can load up about 11g of shotgun powder, top it with cream of wheat to the neck and press a spit ball in there then fire it, neck will be expanded and case will almost be fireformed too.

If you have any worries about damage to your barrel, I've seen shotguns with over 100k shells through them and not one has had a burnt out throat.

 

[Brians356]

Or if you don't want to buy an expander and die you can load up about 11g of shotgun powder, top it with cream of wheat to the neck and press a spit ball in there then fire it, neck will be expanded and case will almost be fireformed too.

Yes, but the expander mandrel is better for prepping necks for bullet seating going forward than the die's pull-through button. And even with a neck bushing (in theory no expander required) the mandrel is nice as a last step as it pushes any neck wall inconsistency to the outside. Expander also useful for neck turning. Also for just rounding out necks on virgin brass. I.e. a Sinclair expander die with different mandrels is just downright useful, and not expensive.

When all you're doing is expanding necks (not improving body or steepening shoulder) fireforming is extra hassle and noise. I know because I form Ackley cases that way.

 

[Clavius-Walker]

fireforming is extra hassle and noise.

True, glad my rifles don't make noise...wait.