Grinding die to reduce cam over???

[bks22345]

Anyone ever grind a die to reduce cam over? My current 284 barrel requires a pretty significant cam over to get a .001 shoulder bump. In fact I’ve ruined my little cover plate on my co-ax. I thought I would be smart and flip the plate over, but within 10-15 cases I created a new indention and this one has a little cant to it. I’m concerned I may be introducing some runout in my final rounds. I’ve got a new one coming but need to get this figured out for the immediate future. This barrel is nearing the end and I’ve got a different reamer for the next one.

I’ve considered grinding the bottom of the die, which I’ve done on a cheaper 25-05 RCBS die. However, this is a Redding shoulder die and I’m sure if I screw it up they will be on a 6 month back order.

I’m thinking I’ve either got to grind it square or grind it enough to prevent cam over. Thoughts?

 

[quest450]

I'd grind the shell holder

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Yes, you can take a bit from either place, bottom of the die or the top of the shell holder. Only problem with taking it from the shell holder is it becomes dedicated is all. No biggie but I prefer to remove it from the die, myself, for that reason only.

 

[DaveTooley]

Yes, you can take a bit from either place, bottom of the die or the top of the shell holder. Only problem with taking it from the shell holder is it becomes dedicated is all. No biggie but I prefer to remove it from the die, myself, for that reason only.

I don't understand the dedicated part. You're just adding clearance on top of the shell holder.

 

[js2013]

What about putting something very thin (like a piece of paper) between the die and the shell holder when tightening the die?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I don't understand the dedicated part. You're just adding clearance on top of the shell holder.

Like I said, not a biggie but if I rely on taking it from the shell holder, then other shell holders won't work. Right? So, while that shell holder could still work with other dies, other shell holders won't work with that die.

 

[bks22345]

I'd grind the shell holder


View attachment 1554226

I don’t use a shell holder, just the jaws. I do have the shell holder conversion, so that’s a thought.

 

[bks22345]

What about putting something very thin (like a piece of paper) between the die and the shell holder when tightening the die?

I don’t see that as working. We need to reduce the distance. Not add to it.

 

[quest450]

I don’t use a shell holder, just the jaws. I do have the shell holder conversion, so that’s a thought.

why mess with the die when a shell holder is an inexpensive $8 part that can be easily replaced

 

[Webster]

I don't understand the dedicated part. You're just adding clearance on top of the shell holder.

Why dedicated. If your using a different die you can just screw the die down a few thou more to make up for what you removed. I doubt they hold a tight tolerance from the top of the press to the ht. of an average shell holder.
added later: My mistake. It doesn't matter how much they grind off the top of the press. It isn't a stop. The die stops on the die locking ring.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Usually there is several thousandth slop in the shell holder. If you need 0.002-.003 hard shim under the brass in shell holder works. At minimum you will know how much to remove at grind time.

 

[js2013]

I don’t see that as working. We need to reduce the distance. Not add to it.

Oops! My bad.

 

[pdog06]

why mess with the die when a shell holder is an inexpensive $8 part that can be easily replaced

Agreed. Ok to have a dedicated shell holder to go with that die. Atleast then if you replace the barrel and realize you no longer need the extra clearance you don’t have to buy a new die. Just go back to a standard shell holder.

Could also use the Redding competition Shellholders kit that offered various thicknesses to get you exactly what you need.

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[AlNyhus]

I'm a bit of a shell holder slut. These dies (and more not pictured) have their own dedicated shell holder with them and are marked as to which press they go into. There's also a bunch of shell holders in a drawer faced off in different amounts.

 

[Bc'z]

Like I said, not a biggie but if I rely on taking it from the shell holder, then other shell holders won't work. Right? So, while that shell holder could still work with other dies, other shell holders won't work with that die.

Mike my primary shell holder has had .010 taken off, it stays on the press.
Feeler gauges sets die hight for different cartridges.
I also make the perimeter with red sharpie so it's easily recognized.

 

[hoosiermike]

For my experience it depends on what the situation is. I have taken some off of dies and shell holders depending. Over the years I have had several dies that were bored too deep to reach the shoulder and shortening the die fixed that but usually a little of the shell holder is all that is needed.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Mike my primary shell holder has had .010 taken off, it stays on the press.
Feeler gauges sets die hight for different cartridges.
I also make the perimeter with red sharpie so it's easily recognized.

Yessir. Either way will gitter dun.

 

[bks22345]

Thanks for all the input. I’m going to put the shell holder adapter in and grind the shell holder as needed.

 

[wkndwarrior]

FYI as posted in a couple of coax groups, Forester had supply chain issues with the wear plates over the COVID period. I was having a lot of issues with them denting prematurely and tried everything. I bought a new lot recently from Graf's and it seemed to have resolved the issue. Maybe not your cause but possibly a contributor.

 

[bks22345]

FYI as posted in a couple of coax groups, Forester had supply chain issues with the wear plates over the COVID period. I was having a lot of issues with them denting prematurely and tried everything. I bought a new lot recently from Graf's and it seemed to have resolved the issue. Maybe not your cause but possibly a contributor.

Thanks. I read that somewhere. I’ve got 3 coming from Midway next week.