Ring dies

[thefitter]

This is a follow up to a previous thread in which I discovered that my FL sizing die was not sizing the base of the case enough and after a couple of firings I was getting heavy bolt lift.

I had originally thought that I needed to have a custom die made but it had been suggested by more than one member here that a ring die might solve my problem.

I used a inexpensive RCBS FL sizing die and cut the top off so that it could not touch the shoulder. Then I removed some material off the bottom so that it would get farther down the case.

I adjusted it so I got the case consistently and proportionately sized down .002 all the way to the web.

After two test firings of cases that had been giving me extremely heavy bolt lift I'm pleased to say the the issue is gone.

I have added an extra step to the loading process for these cases but it's no big deal to me right now. If I ever decide it is I can always have a die made, and now I know exactly what dimensions it should be made to as well.

RCBS Die - $25 plus 1/2 hour of my time in the shop

Custom die - $150+ plus 2 month wait


Thanks for the advice!

 

[jonbearman]

Good deal all the way around. Like they say necessity is the mother of all invention.

 

[Outrider27]

Haven't encountered that problem yet, but I gotta' remember this fix for sure. Thanks for the update.

Mike

 

[thefitter]

While I agree a "ring die" can be a fix to an issue caused by a die that does not match your chamber, they don't fix the problem.
Where as a die spec'd to the chamber, will support and/or size the base/web in the same operation that illuminates the problem altogether.

Each to our own here, but often I see people spend literally $1000's of dollars on there rifles and the components to reload and shoot through them, but "cheap out" on dies, and go with "off the shelf, generic fit" dies instead. That end up with dies that are a poor match to there barrel chambers. That also end up costing them not only more money but accuracy and accuracy potential as well. Hard extraction, poor clearances, over worked, and improper sized brass can and does hurt accuracy and accuracy potential, as well as hindering brass life.

Again, each to our own, but for my own built rifles and/or custom rifles, they will never be feed ammo that is made by anything other then custom dies that match the chamber perfectly. That in return offers me enhanced accuracy potential and increased brass life. Those losses are to high of cost to me, just to save a $100 or two on dies.

My 2-cents
Donovan

I spoke with 3 different custom die makers about how a custom die is made and they both told me that the die they would make for me using 3 fired cases or a reamer print would size the entire case .002 - .003 proportionately down the case depending on my preference.

The ring die is doing the same thing it's just not moving the shoulder. I took measurements all the way down the case and it matches my reamer print and my fired cases pretty well. What's the difference?

FYI it was the two month wait that made me do the job myself NOT the $$.

 

[thefitter]

The ring die is doing the same thing it's just not moving the shoulder. I took measurements all the way down the case and it matches my reamer print and my fired cases pretty well. What's the difference?

Glad your happy with the fix that the ring die offers you !.!.!

And glad your sizing die matches closely in other area specifications, which is not always the case from generic fits, and can be "luck of the draw" when comes to buying dies off the shelf.

My answer to the difference is; your sizing die is not sizing your brass properly, there for you need the ring die as a fix to a problem.
A problem that could be eliminated, before the brass is subjected to over stretch at the base/web, that is being caused from sizing from the problem sizing die, as well as from being fired.

Good Luck !.!.!
Donovan

I see you are talking about the old brass.

Not really a issue with new brass if I use this from the start after the first fire forming, correct?

 

[thefitter]

I edited in a bit more above.....

Ok so that has me thinking in what order should this be done...I think ring die first to get the base of the case and then bump the shoulder. Or would bumping the shoulder case the lower part of the case to move?

Im pretty sure if the shoulder is done first then the ring die will cause the shoulder to move up.

I'm going to experiment and take measurements both ways tomorrow. If I can not find a good sequence I might end up with a custom die after all, I don't want to chase my tail.

 

[amlevin]

Just get yourself one of these and your problems are solved. Size cases in bulk and no lube required. Cases are "rolled" between two plates that have the same profile as an unfired case and it not only sizes to the bottom of the case, it also cleans up the extractor groove and rim.

http://www.casepro100.com/desc.ydev?prod_id=33744

Now all one needs is an extra $900 or so lying around 8)