Using 204 Ruger or 223Redding bushing dies for 222 mag

[quartermaster]

Having a custom 222 mag made and wondering if I can use a Redding 204 Ruger or a 223 bushing neck die for the necks and either one of the competition seating dies. I bought a FL die to set the shoulders back, but Redding doesn’t make the bushing neck die or the comp seating die for this cartridge.

I have a bunch of these Redding dies for all other guns that I load for and love them for their versatility and accuracy. Tried to call Redding, but they are closed for the week.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this. It seems to me that the Reddings should work, but before committing to the build I’d like to have some reassurance. My neck and bullet run out has been excellent since I have been using their dies.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. QM

 

[Prose]

The 223 dies will likely work just fine. You may not be able to size 100% of the neck, but it’ll be pretty darn close. You’ll want a die for the body eventually though.

 

[quartermaster]

Have a FL die, which I will take the guts out and use just to set the shoulder back, when needed,
I usually don’t bush the neck down all the way anyhow, and the 222mag has a long neck. Thx Prose

 

[JimSC]

.204 Ruger's parent case was the .222 magnum. The .223 is a different animal, compare the SAMMI drawings

 

[RegionRat]

I don’t see how a 204 die will help at all, just based on the bore modification you would need.

Why not just have the gunsmith make your die while you have that can of worms opened up anyway?

 

[jepp2]

and either one of the competition seating dies.

I just use the Forster bullet seating die (like the Redding Comp). But you could also get your smith to open up the body of the 204 Ruger Comp seating die and change the plug. That is what I did for my 20 Bobcat (modified a 222 Rem Comp die).

 

[quartermaster]

Thinking that as long as I can use one of the bushing neck dies mentioned above and get neck run to .001 or .002, maybe the bullet would end up with the same concentricity using a standard seating die???

 

[jepp2]

maybe the bullet would end up with the same concentricity using a standard seating die???

Very possible. I have read several studies where standard dies resulted in bullet seating runout that rivaled the premium dies. I have attached one of these.

 

[quartermaster]

Interesting jepp2. I never had those good results with a regular seating die, but I never used one after doing the neck with bushing neck dies either.
I ordered a Forster seater and have to see how it goes. Whidden would have been my second choice after Redding, but neither makes a 222 mag seating die or a bushing neck die. I’m hoping I can use my Redding 204, 222 Rem, or my 223 Redding bushing neck die. If one of those works, I should be good to go.
Thanks for the link to that article! QM

 

[bsekf]

If the shoulder dimention is the same, just use a washer for a spacer with a bump die.
I use a Forster seating die in 6.5x47 for 260 with a pile of 1/2" washers. And do the same with Lee Collet dies.

Bill

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

If you are spending the money to have a custom rifle built, why start out with the correct dies. Good dies are a very important part of the end result. Just makes no sense to me.