Need Bushing Size for 6.5 x 284 Lapua brass for Berger 140 VLD

[jimhoodag]

I have read that I need a .003 spacing between the neck of a loaded bullet and the chamber neck. Since my 6.5 x 284 Lapua Shilen barrel's chamber neck size is .299, I assume that I need a .296 bushing for a Redding bushing die. Is that correct?

I will be loading Lapua brass. What are the neck diameters for a new 6.5 x 284 Lapua case and one loaded with a Berger 140 VLD?

I have the barrel ordered and am trying to determine which dies and bushings to buy. I was leaning toward purchasing a regular Redding set of dies. However, I am now debating whether to spend more and buy a Redding type s full length die, a Redding competition series neck die and a Redding regular seating die. Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks,

Jim Hood

 

[jcampbellsmith]

People can post their numbers for this, but really you need to make up some dummy rounds with your brass and your bullets and measure them with your callipers. Then you will know where you are at. I have a set of bushings in the cupboard so that I can go up or down 1 thou from the diameter that I pick to start with.

A .264 bullet + 2 x15 thou neck walls gets you to .294, so I would suggest bushings of .289 - .294 would be the range to get if you want to proceed without measuring up a dummy round.

Regards JCS

 

[robbor]

No its not .003 less than what your chamber neck is, it is .003 less than a loaded round. I dont have my numbers around for my lapua brass but according to the guide
(http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/65x284/) they are saying .296 for a loaded round. Mine were possibly running 297 i want to say, so about .003 less so like 293-4 id guess at.

 

[jimhoodag]

Thank you. If I don't want to go as far as turning case necks, should I just buy a regular set of dies or are the bushing dies better even without neck turning?

 

[Curmudgeon]

About neck tension, It might be a good idea to ask what a tight neck on your caliber might be. Measure a 140 vld and see if it is .264 at body and case neck wall to see if it is .015. These are numbers from big side. If that is correct your overall dimension would be .294, less 1-2 .001 depending on neck tension desired would give your bushing size. Overly tight chambers offer more problems to solve. Turning necks helps consistent bullet release. With .299 in the neck you have room for springback. My overall neck size is .291 and I use a .289 bushing. Try to neck size only till you have to reform the case. A friend is using a press with micrometer to seat his bullets and he then sorts by neck tension. He can optimize that process with fine grit paper on the outside of the neck to bring the tensions more uniform. A good bushing die, a bump die and a body die would allow you to do more or less when you reload. my two cents

 

[leadburner]

Hey robbor, I hope that's a nick name as you might have picked the wrong man to give advice to. Sorry Jim I can't help you with your rifle but did get a good laugh knowing a robbor is helping you out. LOL

 

[robbor]

Hey robbor, I hope that's a nick name as you might have picked the wrong man to give advice to. Sorry Jim I can't help you with your rifle but did get a good laugh knowing a robbor is helping you out. LOL

What you addr and do you have any nice SS guns ;D.
Hey jim ive been buying forster dies and haveing the sizer necked honed out to my spec and not using an expander. just one option