Press for loading 6brx (dies not contacting shell holder)

[Ben]

When loading a 6mm BRX and having to float the dies approx. .098 above the shell holder, what would be a consistent reasonably priced press. I am currently Lee turret press and don't like the the turret moving and then the shell holder not touching the die...just doesn't seem very accurate. I have thought about a Rockchucker, but would like a little more information before buying.

 

[bozo699]

Ben,
I am not sure I understand your question, I haven't loaded for the 6brx yet but I am in the process of building two of them and the way I understand it you would have to raise the 6br die .100 It wouldn't matter which press you had the shell holder isn't going to touch the bottom of the die as the 6brx is .100 longer than the 6br. I thought about having a custom shell holder built.
Wayne.

 

[twoodard]

you are using standard br dies i take it? if so bozo is right.

 

[fdshuster]

A new 6BRX chambering ( my first) is in the shop now, and I plan on using a .100" thick spacer (shim) under the die lock ring of my standard 6BR dies, both FL sizer neck bushing and the Forster seater. I could care less where the bottom of the die is in relation to the shellholder in the raised position. My dies are adjusted for the proper headspace length, not for their heighth above the shellholder.

 

[bozo699]

Frank,
Are you saying you are going to set the die as you normally would for the standard 6br, lock the ring then add .100 shim under the dies? I had planned on surface grinding a piece of tool steel to .100 and setting it on top of the shell holder and screw the die to it. I like your way better if my take on what your doing is correct.
Wayne.

 

[fdshuster]

Wayne: Yes, that was my thought. I want to avoid having to buy another 6BR FL bushing die dedicated for the BRX, so will try using the 6BR and keep it adjusted for headspace for the 3, 6BR chamberings (all cut with the same reamer). When wanting to use it for the BRX will place the .100" spacer under the lock ring, and that should make up the .100" longer headspace length. Don't want to be in the position where I have to keep changing the headspace adjustment between the BR and BRX. If the spacer does not work out, then I'll just have to buy another 6BR FL bushing die & keep it for the BRX only. Seems like it would also work with the 6BR Forster micrometer seater die, although not as critical as the sizer, since it's so easy to adjust with the micrometer head. New territory for me/ never fooled around with an improved case before.

 

[jo191145]

I've never used a turret but its rumored they have a little extra flex.
I routinely use customized FL dies/shellholders that do not contact each other.
Never had a problem with consistency or setup.
What your looking for under those circumstances is a tough, unflexable press.
Believe it or not the Lee Classic Cast Iron press fits the bill nicely.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=317831
Only press I've ever used where the shellholder/die do not contact so I offer no comparison.
Some custom bullet makers are employing them for thier added strength over conventional presses and cheaper prices than job specific bullet forming presses which cost$$$$.
JMO

 

[bozo699]

Frank,
I think you have a stellar idea, I am just going to modify your idea just a little. I am going to have .96 0r .97 shim made and some .001 shims. When I get my rifle done I will find out exactly what thickness I need for the n/k die and for the bump die. When I find out exactly what is required I will have a shim built for each die.

Joe,
I bought a Redding T7 last spring and have thought it was the cats meow until recently. A couple a days ago I was resizing for my 6*284, when the brass comes out of the gun the dial barely quivers on my Sinclair concentricity gauge, after reloading I am usually .002 to .003 just figured it was just the way it was. My T7 was full and I still had some unfinished projects for the dies on there so I put the die in my little inexpensive piece of junk RCBS partner press ??? I haven't figured out how I can hook my dial indicator up so I will be getting a true reading under resizing conditions but when I figure it out I am going to check the big bad T7. I have a idea its coming off the bench.
Wayne.

 

[Ben]

Thanks for the replies. I will look at the Lee O press. with my last 6br setup, i used the taller shell holders to contact my die so i think i had more consistent sizing and seating than now. With the .100 gap, it just got me to thinking that there has to be a better way. I will also look at adding something to the shell holder as mentioned earlier...this should work and then the type of press wouldn't matter as much since there is shellholder to die contact.

As always, just trying to eliminate variables.

 

[bozo699]

Thanks for the replies.

As always, just trying to eliminate variables.

Absolutely on both counts, Good luck to you Ben
Wayne.

 

[twoodard]

i may be reading this wrong so hang with me. but if you are using the standard 6br dies you are never going to get the shell holder to touch the die with a BRX. period. the only way will be to have dies made. like I said I may have read the post wrong

 

[fdshuster]

Guess there's something here I'm not getting. Why is it necessary for the shellholder to make contact with the bottom of the die? I'm keeping an open mind on this but would like to hear of at least one reason why it's important. Wayne: That's what I plan on doing also, once I establish the basic headspace length: will use my "Skips" shim set to adjust as necessary, then when I have a firm dimension, if a shorter length is req'd. a friend can remove whatever is required with his surface grinder.

 

[jo191145]

Guess there's something here I'm not getting. Why is it necessary for the shellholder to make contact with the bottom of the die? I'm keeping an open mind on this but would like to hear of at least one reason why it's important.

Because the generic one size fits all directions that come with an off the shelf FL die says its so??? ;D
Sorry folks, just one of my pet peeves.


Seriously, Perhaps if you were using a little stamped steel press or maybe a turret, progressive that exhibited a lot of flex you may get unwanted headspace variations.
This phenomona called cam over may induce problems.
These are both areas I have no expierience in. just probabilities and rabid assumptions on my part.

 

[fdshuster]

Joe: O.K., I did not look at it from the standpoint of a "flexible" press. I've been using an older RCBS Rockchucker for almost 30 yrs, so flex is not a consideration. And I agree, the Lee cast iron press is probably one of the best out there. Gotta be a giant step up from the "Challanger" aluminum, with pot metal linkage that I used for 45 ACP. It went into the garbage can in a short time when the once round holes in the linkage became egg shaped. Too bad the die manufacturer's do not come into the 21 st. century with their "instructions" on the proper way to adjust a sizing die.

 

[RonAKA]

I use a Lee Classic Cast on the 6BR. It comes against a hard stop instead of the cam over pattern. It is a very solid press, and I would suggest better than the Lee Challenger. I have mine set to stop just before shell holder contact, as I have found that is what it takes to bump the shoulder 0.001".

I agree it feels better and more consistent to have the holder hit the die solid. But, measurement show I'm controlling shoulder bump within 0.001" tolerance using the Lee Classic Cast and the Forster Bushing/Bump die.