Who can make a resizing die?

[JRS]

The WTC die is the Bugatti Chiron of sizing dies

 

[Shynloco]

Here is the total newbies take on the WTC dies, I have only seen a friends, my WTC die has not been fabricated yet.

The WTC die is huge compared to the Whidden die which I bought first. The machining, feel and look of the die and parts are incredible. The tolerances are supposed to be within 0.0005. The neck bushing and inserts are huge polished pieces of finely machined steel. You do have to use shims for the head, but I guess this makes for a rock solid adjustment once dialed in, and you dont have to worry about it.

Like I said, Im a newbie and dont know crap about reloading yet, but comparing a WTC die to any other I have seen so far is definitely comparing apples to oranges. It makes the Whidden die look like a toy.

However, Im pretty sure all of the custom dies are capable of making good ammo. In my case Im just starting out and want to "buy once and cry once".

Well thx to all. Looks like I've learned something new as I'm not new to reloading and am pleased with the "poor man's" version (compared to Warne) of dies made by Redding, Whidden and Harrel. And I guess I wonder if buying that quality of dies (received other detailed explanations from other competitiors since my post) is warranted in terms of the rest of the equipment a shooter uses such as the rifle itself and all the other equipment used in both shooting and reloading. By that I mean does using a ultra quality die make an across the counter rifle or even a custom rifle that doesn't have all the perfect tolerances, precise timed trigger, and all the other precision parts of a rifle, make it shoot any better than say a Whidden or Harrel Die. And I am not questioning veracity of a Warne die or the quality. I'm talking about consistency all the way down the line and of course the need for money to pay for ultimate precision.

In any case, good luck with that new die and I hope you achieve what you set out to do. For my needs, desires and accomplishments, I'm happy just where I am. Now if I had a rich uncle who passed and left me a fortune, then I'd certainly take a look at "new horizons." But unfortunately, ain't got no uncles and can't hold my breath that long.

Alex

 

[JeffinVAB]

Alex, I said buy once and cry once, but I should have said "buy one of each of the expensive items you need as you can afford it and cry for months".

Im learning its very expensive to go high end, but the equipment should last a long time. Im still choking on the Entris 64-1s scale cost.

I did meet the builder and shoot 25 rounds at 1,000 when I got my rifle so I know what it will do. If my loads dont work out I know it's all me.

 

[Cigarcop]

If you ever had your hands on one of WTC's dies you would not be asking.
Whidden's are not even close to that quality, Harrels are better than that...

Couldn't agree more!

 

[JeffinVAB]

 

[savagedasher]

If the die is bigger how does it fit in the press? Larry

 

[Preacher]

It will only fit those press's that have a removable insert, kinda like Neil Jones die's that need the adaptor he provides..

 

[savagedasher]

It will only fit those press's that have a removable insert, kinda like Neil Jones die's that need the adaptor he provides..

I think it is over kill . But what do I know. Larry

 

[mikecr]

I like JLC Precision dies fitted to my fire formed cases.
They are not big, or expensive, but as perfect for MY cases as can be.

 

[Phil]

I just wish i had more cases bigger than 6mm........

Kind of difficult to justify for a few Dasher cases, a 6.5 SAUM and a 7 SAUM......

They told me that they won`t do anything smaller than 6mm.......

I`m really trying to talk myself into one.


Phil.

 

[Patch700]

I think it is over kill . But what do I know. Larry

If you take one apart Larry you'll understand why it is built in such a manner... I understand your point , in that so long as you are achieving the perfect amount of sizing and in the areas in which you want it then it does not matter how you get there.. Be it with a lee collet die and a bump die or by having a custom piece made.

As a crude experiment I once used lapping compound and an undersized piece of brass to hone out a fl die that was sizing a bit too much at the shoulder body junction... After several tries it came out perfect and did not induce any runout in the process.

Necessity is the mother of invention ,but i have no problem with tools etc that are a cut above the norm if it saves me time and money in the long run.

 

[savagedasher]

If you take one apart Larry you'll understand why it is built in such a manner... I understand your point , in that so long as you are achieving the perfect amount of sizing and in the areas in which you want it then it does not matter how you get there.. Be it with a lee collet die and a bump die or by having a custom piece made.

As a crude experiment I once used lapping compound and an undersized piece of brass to hone out a fl die that was sizing a bit too much at the shoulder body junction... After several tries it came out perfect and did not induce any runout in the process.

Necessity is the mother of invention ,but i have no problem with tools etc that are a cut above the norm if it saves me time and money in the long run.

I made mine . I think it's ever bit as good as as any custom . I have a chamber die and a sizeing die . Can't get any better . Larry

 

[sofarfrome]

Fireform 3 cases and send them along with your reamer to Ron Hoehn. He has made 3 sizing dies for me (22 Waldog 0.125" short, 6PPC, 30BR) and all work flawlessly. He has blanks and they are $75 each.

 

[nmkid]

I have thought about a custom die many times. Please correct me if I'm wrong...If you have a custom die made off of 3-4 fired cases...What happens to that die when it's time to replace the barrel?? That particular die is also done??!!

 

[Preacher]

I have thought about a custom die many times. Please correct me if I'm wrong...If you have a custom die made off of 3-4 fired cases...What happens to that die when it's time to replace the barrel?? That particular die is also done??!!

Probably will be done unless you have the same reamer that did the 1st one....

 

[dmoran]

What happens to that die when it's time to replace the barrel?? That particular die is also done??!!

Not if your new barrels are chambered with the same reamer, or if a similar spec'd reamer (at the base and shoulder junction) is used.
Donovan

 

[Comrade Terry]

Probably will be done unless you have the same reamer that did the 1st one....

And that's why I buy reamers.

 

[nmkid]

I think that for a "taste" of a semi- custom die I might try Forester. However, I don't know how long it will take as at this point they are backed up and not taking orders. They did take my name and phone number and said they would call me.

 

[hogan]

Can use any cylinder to "resize" a brass ctg case. Making something of quality and precision is something else.

No press threaded sizer is capable of the precision a press-seated die can deliver. Spending large sums don't guarantee results. Doesn't life all come down to compromises? Want speed and precision, you accept a bit of press slop and adjustment. Can use a Redding FL S bushing sizer in your Dillon machine and get over 100/hr; or go Wilson with an arbor press and go slower.

Does it matter? Maybe, if you got all the other variables sorted out and you are chasing the last .002 in group size that keeps you from the top 20 at a regional shoot... Are ya there yet?

It is funny how few show understanding of the variables but chase everything with money. A Lee Loader will do a lot in terms of precision, and their discontinued target loaders are highly esteemed; yet hobbyists assume if they didn't pay Big Money the stuff is no good.

If you want to control variables, and know why and what you want, a custom maker can do you some good. Redding S dies of Full Length design are about the most flexible sizing tools going. Remove the sizing stem and you have a body die. Use a spacer set and you have a neck sizer can vary size length w/o disturbing your FL dimension. Then, you got your FL function and all the bushing varieties. One die, of properly selected chambering, in .308 and .30-06 case families will serve all variants with same shoulder angle. Got a couple of AI cases in same family? One die will serve them too. Nice thing about the Redding S dies is their bushings will interchange with Wilson's; as both are 1/2" OD. Pretty easy to make your own if you have the precision tooling...

 

[hogan]

No chambering reamer is suitable for reaming a sizer die; unless you accept that your ammunition is not standard dimension.

Chamber reamer cuts to a greater diameter in case body, neck and shoulder to allow for case expansion and bullet release. Sizing dies are not made with reamers, too expensive. A boring bar setup to cut neck, shoulder and body is more capable and longer lasting.

Think about this... Chamber has to be larger than your case. If seeking precision, you cut your chamber to minimum specs. Still has to be larger than your case by .001" or more to allow expansion and bullet release. This is why Wilson and others request several fired cases when making a custom sizer. They're gonna give you a die with .002" or more sizing. A die made from your chamber reamer can't size at all; you're sizing comes from brass elasticity, not your sizer. At some point your brass is over size and your custom die can't do anything; not that it ever did...