Necking Down with Bushing Dies

[6ShotsOr5?]

Brand new re-loader. Next barrel for PRS is gonna be either 6CM or 6x47L, using Lapua brass. Can I form these from the respective parent cases using the 6.5mm Redding Full Length Type S Bushing dies and just use extra bushings when I’m forming the cases? How many steps down are needed with the bushings? I like the idea of being able to load 6mm or 6.5mm loads with one sizing die and just using different bushings, if it’s reasonable to do that — I don’t know enough yet to know if that works.

 

[ShootDots]

Since you are asking this question, you know you are correct in that you don't know enough about reloading to modify cases and what is entailed. My suggestion is to NOT go to a 6CM or a 6 x 47 and go straight to a 6 Creedmoor. It will do everything the others can with ZERO modifications. Peterson Brass Co. makes excellent brass and they make the 6 Creedmoore with both S/R (preferably) or L/R Primers.. Why go the other route when by your own admission you are very new to this sort of thing. Once you get some experience under your belt, you can expand your reloading horizons. That's my 2 cents..

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Brand new re-loader. Next barrel for PRS is gonna be either 6CM or 6x47L, using Lapua brass. Can I form these from the respective parent cases using the 6.5mm Redding Full Length Type S Bushing dies and just use extra bushings when I’m forming the cases? How many steps down are needed with the bushings? I like the idea of being able to load 6mm or 6.5mm loads with one sizing die and just using different bushings, if it’s reasonable to do that — I don’t know enough yet to know if that works.

Short answer is yes you can do that. (go from .264 to .243) - I'd do it in 2 steps or more if your going to bring the necks down with just bushings. - A little advice if I may, go easy & use some lube. - What I mean by "go easy" is raise the ram of your press slowly to where the unformed neck just "kisses" the bushing. - If you look closely at your bushing hopefully you'll see a slight bevel, bring the case mouth up easy to just contact the bevel and slowly neck-size the neck. Try to get the full length of the neck as well when you size it in each step.
- There is some "risk" of causing concentricity issues (run-out) when necking down this way and some reloaders prefer to use a Full-Length sizer die or a forming die to accomplish this necking down operation. - but it can be done with bushings if care is taken. and after you fire-form your brass shouldn't have run-out issues if you have a good chamber. - I don't know if your planning to neck turn your brass, but if so, I'd do it after you have necked them down and use an expander mandrel to get them to where they need to be size wise to fit your turning mandrel & then turn them.

- Hope that I've helped, and I won't be surprised if someone posts that using a Full length sizer is a "better way" - I believe that good results can be achieved using the correct size of bushings and some care when you neck them down.

- All the Best -

- Ron -

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

ShootDots has also made a very good suggestions, going straight way with the brass that your planning on having the rifle barrel chambered for & use new high quality brass is probably the best advice that you can be given. - In the end, you don't risk loosing brass or running into problems through reloading processes that you may not have the acquired skills at this point.

- Ron -

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

@ShootDots and @LA50SHOOTER, Great to hear different perspectives, thanks to both of you.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You can concentrate and spend money on other things if you just go with the 6creed. Very good advice above btw. So much info out there for it youll be miles ahead.

 

[ireload2]

I think you should learn the basics of reloading rifle ammo with a more pedestrian caliber. You are going to be doing some small things wrong that degrade accuracy and put needless wear on your barrel.
The initial response many newbies have is something is wrong with the equipment or the components when it is more often a problem with either the reloader's skill or the shooter's skill.

PS
Think about the size of the corner radius on the typical neck bushing. You cannot size a neck at all unless the lead into the bushing bore permits the over size brass neck to squeeze into the funnel. In other words a sharp bushing edge or very small corner radius can defeat sizing a neck down. You are probably better off with forming dies or conventional NON BUSHING FL dies.

 

[1shot]

Unless you actually enjoy the task of massaging brass from one form to another, go with what @ShootDots said. If you are truly set on your decision to re-form the brass, use a form die or full length non bushing die. PS: annealing is your friend when re-forming brass.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[Milo 2.0]

I have never had any luck necking down with bushing dies, I always end up folding cases in. Some guys can, I'm not one of them.
For the cost of a couple good bushings to do it in steps, a guy can just buy a cheaper regular neck die and knock them out.

 

[243winxb]

I like the idea of being able to load 6mm or 6.5mm loads with one sizing die and just using different bushings, if it’s reasonable to do that

Neck die, maybe. Fl die, i guess no? Have not tried it.

I know 308 to 243 doesn't work with a FL bushing die.

Good info http://www.redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips-faqs

 

[Ccrider]

I have a .257 STW. The gunsmith that made it for me retired forcing me into reloading for myself or trying to find someone else to load for me. I decided to learn to reload. Have not looked back. Read all that you can. You can not learn without doing it.

As stated above, buy quality brass. Follow the advice above and you will be fine.

The more steps the easier it is to do. Just slower.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

Thanks all. The Peterson 6CM SRP brass looks like a great option to me.

 

[fatelvis]

Thanks all. The Peterson 6CM SRP brass looks like a great option to me.

Just a note: 6CM is referring to 6mm Competition Match. People here will refer to the 6mm Creedmore usually as 6 Creed. I just want to help you avoid confusion. I did the same thing! Lol

 

[Ringostar]

People making up abbreviations causes misunderstandings. I believe that from the beginning you were talking about the 6 Creedmoor. Ben read it as you typed it 6CM which is not a Creedmoor. That is why he suggested going with a 6 Creedmoor and already made brass. A lot of newer shooters/reloaders aren't realizing that the 6 CM stands for Competition Match, which has been around longer. I'm not cutting anyone down here, just trying to show why Ben said NOT to try the 6 CM, go with the 6 Creedmoor. I see another gave the same info while I did my hunt and peck typing.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

@fatelvis and @Ringostar, you are right I was thinking about 6 Creed and never even heard of 6mm Competition Match. Thanks for explaining that.

 

[vlcakc]

I have both FL and bushing dies for the 6X47 Lapua. Yes, you can neck down 6.5X47 L brass to 6X47 L with a bushing die, I've done it, but it's a total PITA. A previous poster mentioned they would not be surprised if someone said a FL is a "better way", so I'll say it: A FL die is a better way! Get a Forster Fl die set and forget the bushing die. I rarely use the bushing die even for normal sizing after firing. I got the bushing die mainly for use with a 22X47 L where I don't have a FL size die. Vic