Converting 7BR dies to 30BR

[tripcrow]

Was wondering how feasible it was to open up a 6mmBR S bushing die so that it’d be able to be used for 30BR & still work on the 6BR? Has anyone opened the neck on a Redding or Forster 7BR die set, FL & seater dies, to work on a 30BR?

I asked Forster about opening the neck on their 7BR set and they told me their die was too hard and I’d have to order a custom set. That surprised me because I’ve been hearing that for $10 they’d open up the necks on their FL dies to your desired neck tension. Figured they’d open a 7BR FL die neck to .327” & the seater to .330” and all I’d have to buy is a 30 cal seater plug for the seater die. That way I could still use my Co-Ax press instead of going with Wilson or paying the price for semi or full custom dies. Don’t have the reamer anyway.

Of course for $54 & a couple months wait I could have a 30BR Lee collet die made up. And that comes with a seater die. Add a $34 Redding body die & I’d be fairly comfortable. The thought of paying $150 for an RCBS FL die set or $120 just for a Redding Comp seater is out.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[RGRobinett]

For the 30 BR, I have used a Redding Type "S" FL/NK bushing die since day one - the 7BR version - I did have to open the neck-port: for that, I used a small carbide tipped boring bar. It doesn't take much to convert a Forster BR seater to 30BR - the seater die parts aren't hardened. Still, I prefer to use L.E. Wilson seaters. As gunamonth points out, the Harrell's dies are very good - there are many viable options. Good shootin'! RG

 

[tripcrow]

Thanks RG that’s good news.

I spoke with Forster twice about options. Seems opening up a 7BR FL die’s neck to .327” is too much for them. The way they do it, using a grinding stone, they’re afraid that much grinding would cause the neck to be out of round. They do not make a 7BR Bushing Bump die and said their 6BR Bushing Bump die won’t work. So it looks like I’ll try and go with opening up a Redding S bushing die for neck sizing, a Redding Body die if needed, & see if I can get away with having the sleeve on my Forster 6BR Seater opened up with Dave’s 30BR reamer and buy a 30 cal stem for it. Been looking for an excuse to upgrade that 6BR seater to a micrometer Ultra anyway.


I picked up 2 30BR barrels,15 & 16 twists) that have the same threads that are used on one of my bench rifles with the intention of having them both rechambered to 30x47L. But situations have changed and it now looks best to have one headspaced so it can be shot soon and save the other till later. Not having the 30BR reamer these barrels were chambered with and not even sure I’ll be sticking with the 30BR I don’t want to tie a lot of cash up into tooling for it.