converting a forster fl die to bushing type

[essexboy]

In the uk dasher dies seem like hens teeth, so i was wondering if any of you gunsmith guys on here could see a reason why i could'nt take my forster fl die [which happens to bump the shoulder about 1.5 thou] bore the top out so a forster neck sizing bush would fit in, then make a threaded cap to hold it all in place. The option of sending fired cases to a US vendor for a custom die to be made seems to be a bit of a no no with the uk gov. I've got a lathe so this type of work just costs me time which is free.
Steve

 

[Joe O]

Should be doable.I just had a FL RCBS die converted to a neck bushing die,by a small shop in Iowa.He maes it for wilson and redding bushings,but fitted for forster should work,jus slightly different dimention.After driling out the top,and threading,he used aa aluminum insert to hold the bushing in and that took the threaded decapping assembly.Let us know how you make out.

 

[essexboy]

Good to know, i'm going to chuck a bit of round bar, bore it out and thread it to take the die so the die runs dead true, then bore the top of the die out with about 1 thou for clearance for the bush, bore the neck section to about 272 thou keeping it all about a tenth back from the shoulder, thread the outside and make a cap. I will decap using a punch ala wilson style.

Steve

 

[Joe O]

That should work.You may need to cut off the top of the die,to align with the top of the Forster bushing if you are going to cap it with outside die threads.My die is threaded on the inside,with a threaded plug.Decaping seperately is ok too.If you have seen a Sinclair expander die,you might want to make the top of your die flush with the top of the instaled bushing ,so you can loosen the cap slightly to float the bushing.It may self center easier.

 

[essexboy]

Sounds like a good idea, i will have to order some forster bushings as i have no idea of the O.D so cant start before then, i will keep you posted on the out come but it all seems to work in my head at least.

Steve