Redding S bushing die question

[long40shot]

I just bought my first Redding "S" bushing FL sizing die for a 243 Win. I believe I read the instructions on how to set up the dies properly. However, when I was running some Winchester test cases through the die I noticed that only half of the neck was sized to the .270 dimension of the bushing. The bottom half of the neck is about .005 bigger. I tried a couple Lapua cases and they where some what better. I think I have the die body screwed down about as far as I can. Just wondering if I am doing something wrong. Also, which stem mandrel should I being using, the thin one, or the one that sizes the inside of the neck.

Thanks guys,

Matt

 

[tenring]

If you want to full length resize, turn the die down until it bottoms against the shell holder when ram is fully raised. Actually, I like to partial size the neck. That will mean less clearance between the chamber neck and the cartridge neck (assuming this is for a factory cartridge). I have some "S" dies; all with just one sizer stem. It holds the expander ball, which opens the neck.

 

[243winxb]

I just bought my first Redding "S" bushing FL sizing die for a 243 Win. I believe I read the instructions on how to set up the dies properly. However, when I was running some Winchester test cases through the die I noticed that only half of the neck was sized to the .270 dimension of the bushing. The bottom half of the neck is about .005 bigger. I tried a couple Lapua cases and they where some what better. I think I have the die body screwed down about as far as I can. Just wondering if I am doing something wrong. Also, which stem mandrel should I being using, the thin one, or the one that sizes the inside of the neck.

Thanks guys,

Matt

The bushing will not size all the way to the shoulder, this is normal. I get best accuracy only sizing about 1/2 of the neck. The unsized part will expand to the chamber after 2 or 3 firings,centering the round in the chamber. Mr redding type s flrs bushing die set came with an expander button & a decap only unit. This gives your the choice to use an expander or no expander. If you control how much you size the neck with the correct bushing, the expander may not be needed for boat tail bullets or if you outside neck turn your brass.

 

[long40shot]

Great, I was hoping that I didn't miss something. I am wanting to try some FB bullets, should I use the expander button or just the decap unit? I am not planning on neck turning any of my brass.

Thanks for the help,

Matt

 

[Winchester69]

Won't the case stretch and eventually separate if the shoulder is set back too far?

I'd talk to Redding if I wanted to size more of the neck.

 

[shootsanything]

Something didn't sound right so just for giggles I ran a round of .308 through my full length S die and it sized the neck down to about .005 from the shoulder. I would make sure your sizing bushing is getting all the way to the bottom of the recess for it.

Next the best way to use these is without the expander button, but there needs to be some thought involved. I see you are using both Win and Lapua brass. What you need to do is to size the brass about .002 less than a loaded round. You may find this is different for the Win and Lapua brass and you may need different bushings for both. Undersizing and then relying on the expander to make it right will lessen the life of the brass and may pull the case out of coencentricity.

Hey - where is the spell check button on this new forum?

 

[watercam]

I'm sure you know this but just in case: In reference to partial neck sizing, the adjustment for holding the bushing in place is controlled by the black knob on top of the die. Tighten until you feel it contact the bushing then back off 1/16 turn and tighten the lock ring. I just read in the Redding catalog that "better results may be achieved by lubricating case necks and installing bushings number side down...". I have half a dozen of these "S" dies and that is the first time anyone, much less the manufacturer, suggested that one.
If your rifle is a repeater choose a bushing about .003" smaller than the diameter of a loaded round. If single shot .001" - .002" is sufficient.