Dies that were modified

[DJD]

I recently bought a couple sets of dies on here for 22-250 and 22-250 AI. The standard set is Hornady and appears to be slightly ground down which gives the cases a slightly longer neck but pushes the shoulder back (had to try it).

My question is will this be safe to use? I'm pretty new to reloading.
Left case is with ground fl die, right is a non modified fl die

 

[mike mccormick]

Looks like someone was doing some experimenting, or perhaps was using it as a bump die. As a beginner, I would suggest you not use it. If, sometime in the future, you have problems getting sufficient shoulder bump, you might use this die cautiously to fix the issue.

 

[GLShooter]

It does look like they were going for more shoulder bump. The easier and cheaper way would have been to grind the shell holder down by about 0.010. We do this all the time on wildcats.

Greg

 

[L.Sherm]

A shell holder is alot cheaper than a die.

 

[Fuj]

Yep !! In a small drawer I have 4 shell holders with increments of
.002 etched on them.

 

[JB10]

I was taught to grind the shell holder also. Way cheeper than a die

 

[K22]

Never understood why someone would modify a die that was designed and engineered to do a specific job.

If I were you, I would purchase a set of high-quality dies like Redding or RCBS. They will last you a lifetime. Mine are over 50 years old and still work just fine.

As a beginner, it is important to learn how to properly full size a case. It isn't difficult or mysterious. All you need because the die of course, is a quality caliper and a bump gauge. A de-capping die is not expensive and makes removing the spent primer easy so you can measure the datum line on a fire case.

If you don't know how to full size a case for optimum sizing, PM me and I will provide detailed instructions although it is most likely also contained in previous posts on this forum, just do a search.

 

[L.Sherm]

Just because its a Redding doesn't mean it can't be a little out of spec, I had a 300WSM Redding die that wouldn't bump the shoulder back untill I ground .010 of the top of the shellholder.

 

[Bill K]

If the result is more than .002 bump on the shoulder for your chamber, it could create to much headspace and a shot life/ruptured case with one or two firings. I really would not use that die.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Why screw the die down more than you need to to bump the shoulder?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Why screw the die down more than you need to to bump the shoulder?

Right, but the obvious answer that causes new reloaders some issues is that's what the instructions for most dies say to do.

Hard to say for sure from his pic but I'd guess that's what gave him that "long neck"...shoulder bumped way too far with a shortened die run down to the shell holder or more, as per the instructions.

OP....find a mentor in your area if any way possible to help get you started. The LGS or gun club will probably know or have someone willing to help. Lots of help on here but hands on and in person is best.

 

[jpjulian]

Just because its a Redding doesn't mean it can't be a little out of spec, I had a 300WSM Redding die that wouldn't bump the shoulder back untill I ground .010 of the top of the shellholder.

And I have a Redding .223 bushing die that will not size a case enough to chamber in a Weatherby I have. I use a Hornady die for that rifle which works just dandy.

 

[DJD]

Thanks for the responses, I won't be using this die. I will have to buy another to be safe

 

[JFrank]

Thanks for the responses, I won't be using this die. I will have to buy another to be safe

Why not just start with a .010 feeler gage between the die and the shell holder, size a case and then adjust your die down or up incrementally using the feeler gage ? Ive had dies that set up at .004 another at .007. It not that big of a deal.

 

[DJD]

Why not just start with a .010 feeler gage between the die and the shell holder, size a case and then adjust your die down or up incrementally using the feeler gage ? Ive had dies that set up at .004 another at .007. It not that big of a deal.

I guess that's doable also, I'll buy a feeler gauge set and try that. Thanks

 

[bozo699]

Why not just start with a .010 feeler gage between the die and the shell holder, size a case and then adjust your die down or up incrementally using the feeler gage ? Ive had dies that set up at .004 another at .007. It not that big of a deal.

True but that’s more than .010
This die might have been used for almost anything. When I built my first 6 creedmoor it was almost impossible to buy a factory die for it or brass either, I cut about 1/4” off a cheap 260 rem die to form from .308 brass.

I guess that's doable also, I'll buy a feeler gauge set and try that. Thanks

lots of guys use feeler gauges and there’s nothing wrong with that but you don’t need too, back that die out a couple or three turns, lube up a case and size it, keep turning die in until you get shoulder bump you desire, then see if it chambers, if not measure .200 line if it’s not in spec buy a new die
Wayne

 

[swd]

Off the shelf dies aren’t anywhere near as precision as people think. Over the years I’ve seen at least a dozen FL dies that were reamed too long to give any shoulder set back. The worst was a 7WSM die that needed .027” taken off.

The OP’s die needs to be squared up and chamfered. Set it up for .002” shoulder bump and it will probably work fine. It may or may not size the base completely but even then a lot of dies don’t anyways..

 

[Bill K]

Unless the case developes a bulge near the base, from not going into the die fully for a FL sizing. Especially if he shoots the reloaded case in a AR or attempts to close bolt on a standard chamber.
If it will work for him, fine. If not a new die is in order.

Off the shelf dies aren’t anywhere near as precision as people think. Over the years I’ve seen at least a dozen FL dies that were reamed too long to give any shoulder set back. The worst was a 7WSM die that needed .027” taken off.

The OP’s die needs to be squared up and chamfered. Set it up for .002” shoulder bump and it will probably work fine. It may or may not size the base completely but even then a lot of dies don’t anyways..

 

[drop_point]

I've seen dies that no matter how far you screw them down, they aren't going to get a proper shoulder set-back. Typically, you'd choose to use competition shell holders or grind down a standard shell holder.

This doesn't mean the die cannot be used. There are YouTube videos that can show you how to measure shoulder set-back if you don't have a comparator set. Start with the die just touching the shell holder and take a measurement compared to an un-sized case. If its more than 0.003-0.004", then you would need to find a taller shell holder or replace the die.

 

[swd]

If it’s more than 0.003-0.004", then you would need to find a taller shell holder or replace the die.

Or if you have access to a lathe you can take enough off the bottom of the die to get the headspace you want.