which bushing to buy?

[half]

If this has been covered, I'm sorry. So, I'm building a 6.5/06. The only dies I could find in stock are Redding type S. I got a smoking deal on some Lapua 30/06 brass, so that's what I am starting with. I need to order a bushing for my dies, but which one? How do I figure out where to start? Thanks,

 

[Shynloco]

half,
Welcome aboard and don't sweat about asking a question you think has been covered. As for the dies, I use Redding Type S Dies and they are great. Now as for the bushing business, I have plenty of practice "GUESSING" what size to buy. In case you are unaware, since you have a Redding Die, a Redding or Wilson Bushing fits Redding dies. Next, I don't know if you have the brass neck thickness you intend to use in the rifle, but if you do, load a dummie casing and measure the outside of the neck with the seated bullet . Use a reliable caliper and subtract .002 and there's your bushing size. Now understand, if you plan to turn necks down any, that bushing size will be reduced likewise. Several times in the past, I got antcy and "THOUGHT" I knew what size my necks were going to be, only to end up turning necks and hence I have all sorts of Redding and Wilson bushings neatly tucked away collecting dust. So just remember to measure a loaded neck, subtract .002 and there your bushing size. Good luck and have fun.

Alex

 

[half]

Alex,
Thanks for the response. I need to neck size 30/06 brass down to 6.5 before I can load it. How do I accomplish this without a bushing in the die? I read the instructions, and it doesn't explain it at all. Thanks again,

 

[jonbearman]

What I would do is buy the forming dies from redding to make your brass or send it to DJ'S brass restoration and let him get it to the rough size.

 

[Catfish]

What is the dis. of your chamber neck? If you do not know your chamber neck dis. there is really no way to know what bushing dis. you will need. If it is tight necked you will want a bushing .004 to .006 under the dis. of your neck. If it is a no turn neck I would not turn the necks.

 

[dkhunt14]

Even if it is a no turn neck you may have to turn them. When you neck down the brass gets one thousandth thicker. A wall thickness of twelve turns to 13. So you actually get 2 thousandths thicker total. You need a regular full length resize die to neck down. Matt

 

[Shynloco]

What I would do is buy the forming dies from redding to make your brass or send it to DJ'S brass restoration and let him get it to the rough size.

I like what jonbearman suggests due to the caliber you are using. Unless you have done it before. some of these lesser used calibers can create a lot of grief unless you have the equipment, knowledge and experience to make it happen. BTW great suggestion on jon's part. Also pay attention to what dkhunt14 just posted. It's what you have to do when you start necking up or down with brass originally intended for another caliber.

Alex

 

[half]

Thanks everyone. I guess the best way to start, is measure the reamer, subtract .264, then measure the brass thickness and go from there. I am trying not to buy any more dies, just to make the dies I already bought work right.

 

[jr600yd]

It may be easier for you to sell the 06 brass and buy 25/06 brass. Sinclair (and others) sell mandrels to neck this brass up to .264 That's what I do with my 6.5/06 and it shoots great at 1K