Redding FL bushing die help.

[jsimonh]

I usually just use a Forster FL die for my 284 win, but recently bought the redding bushing die. I measured my loaded round at 313 and bought a 312 bushing. When sizing with the bushing die it sizes so far down that it will not fit my Forster trimmer anymore and the bullets will barely sit in the case. Using the standard FL die would fit like a glove when I went to trim and let the bullet sit nearly to the bearing surface. Is this a common thing or am I doing something wrong with the bushing die? Thanks.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Your approach sounds fine, the only comment I would make is to buy a range of bushings and pick on the one that works best for you. I would maybe buy a .313 and .314 bushing and see how they work for you. Also if you change brand of brass, you may need a smaller or larger bushing. I have ended up with 8 or 9 bushings.
Regards JCS

 

[Luke_NL]

Sounds like the die is screwed in a lot further then your forster die. Bushing size will only affect neck circumference, not the length of the sized cartridge. Back it out until it just touches up your cases, i.e. to the point where you get the desired .001 to .003" bump of the fireformed brass.

 

[243winxb]

A donut at the neck shoulder junction may be the problem? The expander will move the donut to the outside of the case neck when sizing. A bushing die without an expander will leave the donut inside the case neck.

 

[Shynloco]

Bushing size will only affect neck circumference, not the length of the sized cartridge.

Not necessarily true. In the case of a Redding Small Base FL Bushing Die, your case may also elongate and may require the case to be trimmed. I've found that to be the case with some brass when I've used my Redding SB case Bushing Die that became necessary for resizing brass for a dedicated/tight match chamber. That may not be the case with a standard Redding Bushing FL Bushing Die. Only a point of clarification and not disagreeing with the recommendation to correct the stated problem.

 

[Luke_NL]

Cool, I did not know that. Still, it seems like deciding factor there is the small-base-ness of the die, not the bushing .

 

[drumcorpschamp]

jsimonh,

I understand from your original post that the diameter of the neck on the case sized with the Redding die seems too small. Is this correct? If so, please measure the outside diameter of the neck as it comes out of the die when sized with your .312" bushing and reply with that size.

Jerry

 

[snert]

Why not direct this question directly to the Redding tech line, or call them. They are there Mon-Fri during business hours. 607-753-3331 EST.

 

[243winxb]

From Redding @ http://www.redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips-faqs

It has come to our attention through customer calls and our own use of the bushing style sizing dies that in certain instances, a given neck sizing bushing will produce a case neck diameter that can be several thousandths of an inch smaller than the actual diameter of the bushing. This idiosyncrasy occurs when the neck diameter of the fired case is a great deal larger than the diameter of the neck sizing bushing, such as occurs when factory chambers are on the large side of the tolerance range and the brass is on the thin side. Typically, we have not noticed any problems until the case neck is reduced more than 0.008-0.010".

Solutions include, increasing bushing diameter to compensate and/or the use of a size button. Reducing the neck diameter in two smaller steps by using an intermediate diameter bushing will also help. More concentric necks will also result using this method, as the case necks are stressed less during sizing. Don't forget to properly chamfer the inside and outside of the case mouths and apply a light coating of lubricant to the case necks before sizing.