Hydraulic form die and 284 Shehane

[Elwood]

Has anyone tried this over fire forming?

I would like to think that as the case walls are only being moved about 5-6 thou either side then it would be a relatively simple process with a 100% form?

I'm very familiar with the Shehane and I know they are super accurate with fire forming loads but I would rather save the 200 rounds of barrel life, not to mention powder and projectiles that are getting increasingly hard to find and more expensive here in the UK.

I have also tried forming with COW which works well, but I'm curious about the hydraulic form dies.

 

[Elwood]

Oh well, I will let you all know how I get on

 

[Jay Christopherson]

I'm a fan of hydraulic forming dies, I've used them for the 6 Dasher without any of the issues others have reported, and have put half a dozen firings on them without any case failure.

I think it would be even easier/faster to form the .284 Shehane from .284 brass using one, since there's not as much brass movement involved. Personally, I have not seen match quality accuracy from unfired brass for the Shehane. I often get weird flyers in testing that I don't get in match loads with fire-formed brass and by the chronograph, the E.S. is much higher as well.

I called about it once, a while ago, but Hornady wasn't taking custom orders at the time. It's probably something I'll look into again when I've worn my current stash of brass out and need to form new.

 

[jbpmidas]

It would be interesting to try. I got "good enough" accuracy from fireforming loads in my Shehane. There were some unexplained fliers though, which went away with fired brass. How much does a forming system cost?

 

[jonbearman]

That is the question of the day as hornady doesn't seem to be able to list it with who to call as it is custom work.

 

[LRPV]

Ben Syring is in charge of the custom dies now. He is who I talked to about my dasher die.

 

[Elwood]

Ben Syring is in charge of the custom dies now. He is who I talked to about my dasher die.

I have emailed him several times about prices and lead times and he has been very helpful and quick to reply.

I was quoted $180 and a 3 month lead time, all they need is my reamer print.
Not taking into account shipping and converting the dollar into sterling and adding VAT and import duty that's roughly the cost of two hundred Berger bullets (UK price)

 

[Elwood]

I'm a fan of hydraulic forming dies, I've used them for the 6 Dasher without any of the issues others have reported, and have put half a dozen firings on them without any case failure.

I think it would be even easier/faster to form the .284 Shehane from .284 brass using one, since there's not as much brass movement involved. Personally, I have not seen match quality accuracy from unfired brass for the Shehane. I often get weird flyers in testing that I don't get in match loads with fire-formed brass and by the chronograph, the E.S. is much higher as well.

I called about it once, a while ago, but Hornady wasn't taking custom orders at the time. It's probably something I'll look into again when I've worn my current stash of brass out and need to form new.

My thoughts exactly Jay, many thanks.