Die work

[Minesweeper3433]

How could someone open up the neck of a full length die in order to use it as a body die? I already have 2 sets of 308 dies and want to sell one to a friend here and use the seater and full length die from the other set as a seater and body die and purchase a separate neck sizing die with bushings as I use range brass sorted by brand and want to be able to change out bushing according to the brass I am using at the time.

 

[MrMajestic]

EDM

 

[jamesh]

Masonry bit ground to size, best done in a lathe at 1000 RPM or more. Don't use lube. It will need to be debured and pollished when done.

James

 

[wapiti25]

Automotive machine shop can hone the neck out for you. You may do it your self if you have a lathe and a carbide drill. A masonery drill might do OK but I would use a std soild carbide drill, de-burr the hole after.

 

[boltfluter]

A carbide boring bar in the lathe does just fine. Have done a couple of mine. You can polish it when you are done. Hope this helps. Paul. 8)

www.boltfluting.com

 

[jscandale]

Easily done with a properly sized chucking reamer. Contact if you would like this done.

JS

 

[fguffey]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/378606/rcbs-2-die-set-338-federal

“I already have 2 sets of 308 dies and want to sell one to a friend here” If you chop a 308W die, when finished, you will have a chopped up die, if you purchase a 33/308 (8mm) or a 338 Federal die set when body/shoulder sizing a 308 W case you will have a die that can accomplish the same task. I am not a fan of body/bushing/shoulder dies, my opinion the practice is a bad habit because of do-nuts, but if I had any ambition I would build a die that would take care of that.

As to your question, I have a Ki cut-off saw, something like a chop saw but made for metal.

http://www.opentip.com/Tools-Auto-Industrial/Ki-Usa-Model-Kb-Quot-Cutoff-Saw-p-3406270.html

I could clamp the die in the vise and start cutting just above the neck/shoulder juncture, after cutting the top of the die off I would clamp the die into a butt grinder (another tool that is an in-line, angle and butt grinder) to finish the top of the die off, then open the die up to what ever diameter I wanted that would prevent the neck to be sized,

308W neck diameter .343, 8mm neck diameter .349, 338 Federal deck diameter .370. If you choose the 338 Federal die there will be a difference of .027 thousands for fired cases, less if the case is fired and not sized. Then there is the 33/308 neck diameter of .365 leaves a difference of .022 thousands. Some of the difference can be made up for with the neck sizer die if it is capable of sizing the over sized neck.

Again, the .027 thousands is the beginning of the do-nut.

F. Guffey

 

[Minesweeper3433]

Thanks for all the info. I am planning on doing this project myself just to learn how working hardened metal is different. I have a friend here locally that has his own machine shop and lets me play and practice as long as I fix or replace what I break. Only thing I have broke so far is a cutter first day and I learned how to regrind it.