Loading 6BR with a new set of Whidden dies, necks not sizing right

[Linko]

I am loading 6BR for the first time. I have new and once fired Lapua brass (from factory ammo) and 105 Berger Hybrid bullets.

the bullets are loose in the necks before and after sizing with my Whidden non-bushing FL die. I pulled the expander stem and see the necks are loose in the die. necks OD's are .2675 - .270 measured with a caliper.

Are the whidden dies made for thicker brass, cut too loose or ?

Brass slips into the die by hand.

Appreciate advice. (I am a relative novice to most of you)

 

[22DASHER]

Is it a bushing die?…If so, did you put a bushing in?

 

[Shynloco]

Linko,
Just to clarify your question, did you measure the thickness of your brass and separate them out into groups? Next had any of the necks been turned? And if you separated them by thickness, were all the neck still loose after running them through your new Whidden die? Thx.

Alex

P.S. I'm assuming you used the correct size of bushing if it's a Bushing Die. I once made that booboo and thought it was the die also.

 

[Linko]

Linko,
Just to clarify your question, did you measure the thickness of your brass and separate them out into groups? Next had any of the necks been turned? And if you separated them by thickness, were all the neck still loose after running them through your new Whidden die? Thx.

Alex

P.S. I'm assuming you used the correct size of bushing if it's a Bushing Die. I once made that booboo and thought it was the die also.

This is not a bushing die. I donot have a neck thichness gauge. brass that is right out of the box, not turned. A virgin piece of brass out of the box is loose in the dies neck area.

 

[Shynloco]

Kinko,
Call Whidden in the morning and run it by them. Not heard of this issue before (with Whidden) and know they make excellent dies and stand by their products. In addition to Whidden, I primarily use Redding dies for my 6br (and several other calibers) and have to send a few dies back in the past for a variety of issues but they've always made good on their products which Whidden does also.

Alex

 

['Freak]

What’s the neck diameter of a still unfired factory Lapua round?

 

[Titan700]

What Shynloco said call Widden I had a new set I bought for 6.5 Creedmoor it had the wrong sizing die mixed in my set , get to deal with they sent me the one I needed .
Robert

 

[Linko]

Spoke with Whidden. looks like I have a bushing body instead of a FL body for a die. No bushing insert. they have the FL on the way. Whow what service! One of those companies that you wish you could buy every thing you need from. I did plan on other purchases and only want to do more business.

Hey I started this thread so Im gonna hijack it. Anyone use the Whidden floating Dillon Die head? i wonder what it is like instead of the regular non floating type.

 

[Linko]

What’s the neck diameter of a still unfired factory Lapua round?

.267

 

[Patch700]

A valuable lesson learned... Trust but verify.. Always.

Glad you found your problem.. Always disassemble new dies rite to the bare bones and clean them.. When you took the decapping assy off the top you would have noticed a .500" void where a bushing would reside.

 

['Freak]

.267

If lacking a “neck thickness gauge” proper but do have an outside micrometer; measure the loaded case’s neck diameter, subtract out the bullet’s diameter, divide that answer by two, and now you have the average neck wall thickness at the points 180° opposite one another where the initial neck OD measurement was taken.

(.2670” - .2430”) / 2 = .0120” neck wall avg. thickness

 

[gotcha]

If lacking a “neck thickness gauge” proper but do have an outside micrometer; measure the loaded case’s neck diameter, subtract out the bullet’s diameter, divide that answer by two, and now you have the average neck wall thickness at the points 180° opposite one another where the initial neck OD measurement was taken.

(.2670” - .2430”) / 2 = .0120” neck wall avg. thickness

Keep in mind the FIRED BR brass may have been turned for a reason.............. You may have to neck turn your new brass to maintain a safe clearance if you actually have a tight necked chamber. ......... Your .270 dia. for fired brass would indicate a .271" neck.......... My 6BR has a .271" neck. Using freaks formula above I turned my necks to .0125" for .003" neck clearance. (.0125 X 2) + .243 = .268" Hope this helps. BTW I had mine turned by DJ's brass. Very nice work w/ fast turn around.

 

[Linko]

A valuable lesson learned... Trust but verify.. Always.

Glad you found your problem.. Always disassemble new dies rite to the bare bones and clean them.. When you took the decapping assy off the top you would have noticed a .500" void where a bushing would reside.

First bushing die I have ever seen. did'nt really know how they were made.

 

[Linko]

problem solved. Whidden rushed off a replacement. Gee very little difference between a FL and a Bushing die body. I can see how they can mixed up.

Cleaned the new body and setup the expander. All good to go.

Great company. I will be off and running now.

 

[FatBoy]

I love dealing with John's people. Very good customer service, every time. Glad you got this worked out.