Opening Up a FL Die

[skeeljc]

Who can open the neck on a Redding FL sizing die?

 

[Gabe22BR]

Redding

 

[Gabe22BR]

Otherwise send 3 fired cases to Harrell’s for a die to fit your chamber

 

[jepp2]

Why not do it yourself? I used this as a guide to get me started.

https://rickaverill.com/projects-past-and-present/lapping-reloading-dies/

 

[AlNyhus]

Who can open the neck on a Redding FL sizing die?

What are you working with now and what size does it need to be opened to? -Al

 

[skeeljc]

What are you working with now and what size does it need to be opened to? -Al

It is a Redding FL .223 Remington die. It sizes the neck to .239" O.D. I would like it opened up to .245". I want to maintain concentricity and parallelism between the case body and the neck.

 

[Fast14riot]

It is a Redding FL .223 Remington die. It sizes the neck to .239" O.D. I would like it opened up to .245". I want to maintain concentricity and parallelism between the case body and the neck.

A body die and collet neck die might be cheaper and quicker for same results

 

[skeeljc]

I ordered a Forester Bench Rest FL die with the neck opened to 0.245". Only cost $15 for the neck modification. Die is out of stock right now but my order was accepted.

I have been using a Redding FL die to align the neck with the body Before and after neck turning. The Redding FL die sizes the neck to .239 and I expand it with a .2235" diameter pin in a separate operation. This brings the neck OD up to .247" diameter and gives me less than .001 neck runout. I just think working the neck down to .239" and back up to .247" is too much. I am turning my necks to .012" thickness.

 

[AlNyhus]

It is a Redding FL .223 Remington die. It sizes the neck to .239" O.D. I would like it opened up to .245". I want to maintain concentricity and parallelism between the case body and the neck.

I'd indicate the die in a lathe and go in there with a .245 carbide chucking reamer. You'll need the carbide to get through the hardened layer of the die. You could try it with a HSS reamer but if it doesn't cut it cleanly, you'll have a mess on your hands. Ebay is a good source of used carbide reamers. -Al

 

[skeeljc]

I'd indicate the die in a lathe and go in there with a .245 carbide chucking reamer. You'll need the carbide to get through the hardened layer of the die. You could try it with a HSS reamer but if it doesn't cut it cleanly, you'll have a mess on your hands. Ebay is a good source of used carbide reamers. -Al

Since Forster will hone it on a production honing machine for 15 bucks I am not going to attempt anything myself. If I were to attempt anything I would lap it to maintain a good finish.

 

[3Sigma]

Just get a body die. You can find them cheap ($25 to $35) in common cartridges. Faster, easier, and likely cheaper then getting it sent out.

 

[AlNyhus]

Since Forster will hone it on a production honing machine for 15 bucks I am not going to attempt anything myself. If I were to attempt anything I would lap it to maintain a good finish.

Forster offers this service for other mfg's dies? Heck, I was going to have you send it to me to do for n/c except postage.

Sounds like you've found the solution. -Al

 

[Clous]

Acro Laps

 

[skeeljc]

Forster offers this service for other mfg's dies? Heck, I was going to have you send it to me to do for n/c except postage.

Sounds like you've found the solution. -Al

Not sure if they will work on other manufactures dies. I ordered a Forster Bench Rest FL die and one option was to specify the neck diameter for a $15 charge.

 

[jepp2]

Not sure if they will work on other manufactures dies

Their words say they do NOT.

CUSTOM NECK HONING OF FORSTER FULL LENGTH SIZING DIE​

 

[AlNyhus]

Their words say they do NOT.

Yep. -Al

 

[Oso]

I wanted to open up the Body (not neck) on a 223AI Redding Match Type S Full Length Die. Yes, probably easier to simply order a custom die, but I already have the die set.

I spoke to Redding and the answer was short and simple - no honing services. I then spoke to Whidden, and unfortunately their tooling is set up to do their own dies. Redding was a long wait and a few words. However, Whidden's customer service, Wiley, was helpful and extremely friendly. He offered a suggestion to DIY at home.

He suggested using a wood dowel (or even brass or aluminum... so long as material was softer than steel) that is profiled to your cartridge. Make a horizontal cut in the dowel in order to tuck in the ends of sand paper, and use sanding sequence of 800, 1000, 1400 grit sandpaper. Secure the die in a vice and use the hand drill to spin the sand paper/dowel in the die (prefers drill with cord to outlet because it maintains max rpm more consistently than a cordless battery model). Be careful not to to over-heat the die. If the die starts getting too hot to touch then simply stop and allow it to air cool back to room temperature... do not quench in water or other liquid to rapidly cool. Clean inside of die before starting the process and also frequently as you polish the inside of the die. Continually test fit you fired case into the die until you get the fit you want. The last word of caution is to be careful not to polish the the intersection on the neck and shoulder.... don't want to round over the corners.

I thought I would put this out there and maybe Whidden names Wiley to "Employee of the Month" with a $50 gift card that he can spend on dinner after COVID ends. Thanks for going the extra mile!

 

[whatsupdoc]

I have done a few with a lap and diamond lapping compound.

 

[Uncle Ed]

FL Bushing Dies vs. Honed FL Dies​

https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/reloading/fl-bushing-dies-vs-honed-fl-dies/

 

[skeeljc]

I am still waiting on a Forster .223 FL BR die so Forster can open the neck. Forster must be having a major issue producing dies because they are out and so are all of their distributors.