Forester dies problem

[Tnslim]

I'm a fairly new reloader and am having problems getting my new Forester dies set correctly. I'm using the neck sizer die on new Lapua brass, 6Norma BR, and am getting scratch marks from the tip of the brass to the shoulder and about 3/4 of the way around. I cleaned the brass and dies before starting. Also, when seating the Sierra 107 match I get a ring around the bullet about 3/16" from tip. I'm sure this is due to my ignorance and is no fault of the manufacturer. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[brian427cobra]

Clean the die with a strong copper remover.

What lube are you using?

The ring on the bullet is from too much neck tension, did you remove the expander?

 

[Tnslim]

The dies are new and should not have any copper but I'll clean them again just to be sure. I used Imperial lube sparingly after cleaning. I didn't remove the expander but will try that also. Thanks for your imput.

 

[bozo699]

The dies are new and should not have any copper but I'll clean them again just to be sure. I used Imperial lube sparingly after cleaning. I didn't remove the expander but will try that also. Thanks for your imput.

Tnslim,
Welcome to the forum.
DO NOT remove your expander it will make things worse! I will try to come back and help I got a call and have to go back to work for now
Wayne.

 

[swt5]

Also, when seating the Sierra 107 match I get a ring around the bullet about 3/16" from tip.

I've found the surface of the seating stem that contacts the bullet can be very sharp as it comes from the manufacturer. I remove it by placing the stem into a drill and then gently touch the sharp edge with a counter rotating fine stone in a Dremel tool. Doesn't take much, removes the offending edge in a uniform manner and the ring marks disappear.

 

[Tnslim]

Also, when seating the Sierra 107 match I get a ring around the bullet about 3/16" from tip.

I've found the surface of the seating stem that contacts the bullet can be very sharp as it comes from the manufacturer. I remove it by placing the stem into a drill and then gently touch the sharp edge with a counter rotating fine stone in a Dremel tool. Doesn't take much, removes the offending edge in a uniform manner and the ring marks disappear.

I took the seater die apart, cleaned it again and dropped a bullet (107SMK) and spun it with no pressure and still got the ring. I'll take off that sharp edge and try it again and I expect that will fix it.

I also took the neck die apart, cleaned it again and using just a bit of Imperial on the neck I still got lengthwise scratches from the neck to shoulder roughly 3/4 of the way around. Looking with old eyes and a large magnifier I could barely see what looks like machining marks in the die. Should I take some fine rouge and polish these out or would that hurt the die?
Thanks
David

 

[bozo699]

Also, when seating the Sierra 107 match I get a ring around the bullet about 3/16" from tip.

I've found the surface of the seating stem that contacts the bullet can be very sharp as it comes from the manufacturer. I remove it by placing the stem into a drill and then gently touch the sharp edge with a counter rotating fine stone in a Dremel tool. Doesn't take much, removes the offending edge in a uniform manner and the ring marks disappear.

I also use a q-tip and wrap oooo steel wool around it and polish the seating stem with it, works great.
The ring your seeing won't hurt anything anyways.
Wayne.

 

[ReedG]

Forster is a super company to deal with ... email them and they'll take the die and fix or replace it.

 

[Rtheurer]

I would recomend not touching it. Pop it in a box and send it back to Forster with a Note ( see web site for instructions first) and they will fix it FOR YOU. they are great to work with and stand by there product in my experience. If you muck with it then all bets are off im guessing.

I wish all manufacture's where as willing to help a fella as Forster is.

RussT

 

[RJinTexas]

When you mail it back to Forester as Russ suggested ya need to send along a couple of the brass for an example of what experiencing.

RJ

 

[Tnslim]

Thanks for all the replys and please accept my apologies for not introducing myself. I have emailed Forester of this problem and expect to hear from them after the holiday. It's comforting to know I'm dealing with a reputable company. Thanks again.

 

[Jim See]

your problem may be related to the dimensions of the die. I found in my forester 6br that the size die knocked the neck id dia down to .232".

This was overworking the brass, and could be causing the scratching due to the excessive force.

 

[infantrytrophy]

Lapua brass (especially that from older lots in the cardboard boxes) has very thick neck walls, compared to U.S.-manufactured brass. This typically results in more neck tension and seating force, even though the dimension usually quoted to represent "neck tension" (outside neck diameter of loaded round minus outside neck diameter of sized brass) is the same as that of thinner brass. If there is excessive neck tension, this might result in the rings on the bullets that you described because of higher seat force required to seat the bullet.

This excessive seating force situation might be aggravated if you don't chamfer the inside of the case mouth. If the brass is new and unfired, you could also consider lubing the inside case necks with graphite so that the force required to seat the bullet is less.

Like others mentioned, Forster is great about working with you. They will tell you exactly the neck diameter of their dies. If the die's neck diameter is too small for your situation, they will hone the neck of your die so that it has a slightly larger diameter for a small fee.

Randy

 

[M-61]

The problem ring is most likely the die. Forester had some older style seating dies slip though to sales that do not accommodate that LONG thin nose on 107's.
A call to Forester.....send it back...and they return it....all in record time and real professionalism....AND it works! Really a great experience working with them so now I would never hesitate to buy their products.

 

[Tnslim]

The brass is the newer brass in the blue box. I used a bit of lube on the inside case necks and bullet seating didn't seem abnormally hard. As mentioned above I disassembled the seater die, dropped a bullet in and spun it with no pressure and got the ring so I believe the problem is a sharp edge/ridge on the die. As for the case neck scaring I also believe that's a manufacturing misque. I'm gonna disassemble and inspect them again and if I think I can fix them myself it would save some time. I'm really anxious to try out this rifle as it's my first build. Thanks for all comments.

David

 

[lloydx2]

Sounds like the die is scratched. Debris is likely the cause. Make sure your chamfering necks new brass before sizeing. New dies can be dirty too. Try to keep things clean . Im not saying thats where the debris came from just be carefull and cover things on your end. As far as the scratches go . Wont take much to get out. Might have to use some oiled 800 or finer paper and knock down the hight spots. Then polish. The set up on the bullet ring problem is to get a little 400 grit lapping compound and lap you bullet into the punch on drill press or lathe. Then polish. Good luck lloyd