Redding Competition Shellholder / Whidden Die / Zero Press

[RegionRat]

There is nothing wrong with doing that. You can work with a gap, it just takes a little more attention and discipline.

All the 6mm dies i have from Whidden work great for me.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ah unfortunately I’m trying to add height to reduce bump whilst maintaining contact with the shellholder. This may be a losing battle.

It does feel like I will need to size with the gap and a standard shellholder if I want to keep using Whidden dies.

To add bump insert a feeler gage under the case remembering to back off your decapping stem

 

[scyzer]

There is nothing wrong with doing that. You can work with a gap, it just takes a little more attention and discipline.

All the 6mm dies i have from Whidden work great for me.

Yep - I think that'll be the answer. Really did want to try out the full contact method though!

Also - just to clarify, all my other (six cartridges worth of) Whidden dies are absolutely great. It's just unfortunate that this one seems out.

 

[243winxb]

Solved it - it’s the die. It’s out of spec.

Shell holders to.

The shell holder contacting the bottom of the die is a good thing, when using the comp shell holders.
Contact removes any slop in the press linkage or press flex. RCBS has said the contact squares the fl die in the press, before locking it down.

Sounds good, but i have no proof that is works?

 

[JFrank]

To add bump insert a feeler gage under the case remembering to back off your decapping stem

I call it a Guffy gage

 

[dellet]

I don’t think shell holders will be the answer, most likely the bottom portion of the die is a bit tight. It’s near impossible to size the web of the case without contact of die to shell holder and that does not happen without a lot of force.

You might be able to measure a difference in web diameter, but .0005 is enough. Basically you’re trying to size a brass rod. Since the other dies allow full contact and also give you consistent measurements, it makes sense.

If you sacrifice a piece of brass or two by polishing the base enough to remove a bit of the diameter, it would confirm this.

 

[JFrank]

Ah unfortunately I’m trying to add height to reduce bump whilst maintaining contact with the shellholder. This may be a losing battle.

It does feel like I will need to size with the gap and a standard shellholder if I want to keep using Whidden dies.

Nothing wrong with that as long as the ram has a full cycle, just measure the gap and write it down

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Read all of the post here and now I have another headache. This topic has been discussed over and over again and everyone has an opinion but there is never a consensus that everyone can agree on.

Here's what I don't understand. My rifle is the determining factor when it comes to proper cartridge fit. It needs what it needs as far as proper fit is concerned.

For instance, I have a Harrold's die for which I have had it custom cut to match my fired brass, aneal the brass and trim to the proper length, make sure the neck is the same thickness, why should I worry about pump. Should it not be the same every time, especially if I use the same procedures and equipment every time?

Now Harrold's supplies a brass thingy that I have never used. Hell I don't even know how to use it. While I only shoot benchrest, I do not know anyone who does so competitively and have never learned the complexities benchrest competitors adhere to. My groups are small enough to satisfy me and those I shoot with examine my targets and judge their own, comparing them to mine.

 

[pdhntr]

Read all of the post here and now I have another headache. This topic has been discussed over and over again and everyone has an opinion but there is never a consensus that everyone can agree on.

Here's what I don't understand. My rifle is the determining factor when it comes to proper cartridge fit. It needs what it needs as far as proper fit is concerned.

For instance, I have a Harrold's die for which I have had it custom cut to match my fired brass, aneal the brass and trim to the proper length, make sure the neck is the same thickness, why should I worry about pump. Should it not be the same every time, especially if I use the same procedures and equipment every time?

Now Harrold's supplies a brass thingy that I have never used. Hell I don't even know how to use it. While I only shoot benchrest, I do not know anyone who does so competitively and have never learned the complexities benchrest competitors adhere to. My groups are small enough to satisfy me and those I shoot with examine my targets and judge their own, comparing them to mine.

Hi Nick,

The brass thingy is for measuring your cases. It is used to figure out how much to bump, and then if you are hitting that mark when you resize. It is a shoulder bump gage used with a common 6 inch dial caliper.

If you are not using it, and have not experienced any case head separations, then you have been lucky.

The die is adjusted out for less bump, and in for more bump, and can also be used with the Comp. shell holders. The thingy is used to measure the amount of bump.

The thingy is an integral part of the process.

Jim

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Agree.
The important point in that method, is you are using your actual bolt and chamber as the bottom line gage. How much you size from there is up to you. This is more valuable since tools and dies may not match your chamber...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

I agree with all your saying, but for basics shouldn’t a case fired twice or so in a chamber also be that gage?

 

[jimmymac]

I’ve never needed my die to contact the shell holder to achieve consistent shoulder bump.

@Nick Caprinolo
You really should learn to use the thingy for proper die setup.

 

[RegionRat]

I agree with all your saying, but for basics shouldn’t a case fired twice or so in a chamber also be that gage?

Yes, when the case causes that bolt torque/force to indicate it is ready, then it too acts as a reference. YMMV

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!