necking down 221 fireball

[shadrac]

does anybody know if there is a problem using a bushing die for necking down 221 fireball to a vartarg

 

[rifleman700]

As long as the shoulder angle is the same between the two, there should not be a problem.

 

[7stubby]

When I made my 20 Vartarg Brass from Lapua 221 Fireball, I ran them through a 20 Vartarg Full Length Sizer die removed first. Then ran them through a Full Length Bushing die. Then load and shoot. You will change the shoulder angle of the Fireball brass to Vartarg angle. Wont be 100% but its enough to chamber them.
Very easy process.

 

[shadrac]

i have a redding vartarg full lenght bushing die, i was using a hornady full lenght die but it was over working the neck so was just wondering if there was any problems necking down with the bushing die

 

[dedogs]

it was over working the neck

What does this mean? What is the neck diameter of your vartarg chamber? What is the loaded diameter of your cartridge? dedogs

 

[shadrac]

my bushing die is .227 the hornady die is .224 a shot casing measures .230

 

[hogpatrol]

my bushing die is .227 the hornady die is .224 a shot casing measures .230

What is your loaded round diameter? I would not use a bushing more than .002 smaller than the loaded round. Also, check the diameter after using a bushing die. The Reddings don't always size what's stamped.

 

[TAJ45]

I think 7stubby was wanting to include "remove the expander button & stem". I have the same prob at times- somehow things get deleted when I KNOW I keyed them in. That along with the auto correct crap.
I found in my stash a 221FB sizing die I plan on using to do just that. Then I'm moving to the Pbike257 sizing kit.

 

[shadrac]

loaded .230 sized is .228

 

[pacificman]

I made a bunch of 20 vartarg cases out of 223 brass and if I remember I ran all my
223 brass through a .221 fireball sizing die without the guts which sized the necks
down a lot. I had no problems with most of the brass but seemed 1 or 2 out about
20 I would wrinkle the shoulder...but .223 brass was easy to come by. With .221 fireball
brass you might try what 7stubby suggested if you don't have a .221 fireball sizer die.

 

[hogpatrol]

loaded .230 sized is .228

If I'm reading this correctly, the loaded round is .228 and expands to .230+ and the Forster die is sizing at .224. Not necessary to have that much neck tension. On all of my small caliber rifles, I go with a bushing .001 smaller than the loaded round. Having said that, it's important to check your sized necks to verify they are the proper diameter.

 

[shadrac]

im just wanting to know if there is a problem with neck sizing down to 20 cal with a bushing die?

 

[JohnHenry]

loaded .230 sized is .228

Sounds like you may need to neck turn. Loaded and fired by your posts are both .230. Thus, the difference between your loaded and the chamber neck diameter is equal to the "spring back" which is typically about .001. Do you know what your chamber neck diameter is?

 

[JohnHenry]

im just wanting to know if there is a problem with neck sizing down to 20 cal with a bushing die?

In my opinion, yes if one needs or wants to neck turn.

 

[shadrac]

no i dont, the gun shoots very accurate i was just thinking the hornady die was working the necks to much so i wanted to just use my bushing die to neck down

 

[L.Sherm]

The only problem you might have with your bushing die is right at the shoulder neck junction may not get sized all the way down. I agree on the hornady die .224 is to small.

 

[shadrac]

thanks for all the replys

 

[ASbobcat]

does anybody know if there is a problem using a bushing die for necking down 221 fireball to a vartarg

It can be done with an intermediate bushing about halfway (.238). I've crushed a few necks trying to take a bigger bite than about .010. An easier way is to use a 20Vartarg body or trim die, which forms less of a doughnut and doesn't cost much more.