Will a custom die pay off with volume full length resizing?

[ratbuster]

I have decided to get a Giraud trimmer which requires full length resizing. I am thinking about Whidden dies who would use the reamer print to produce a die that would work the brass less than say a Redding die. I'd like to hear from those that use or have used custom dies and how they compare to off the shelf dies for brass longevity when full-length resizing. Thanks, Phil

 

[Boxcar77]

I prefer using a custom die based on 3-4 once fired cases. It'll help control case expansion and keep from unnecessarily overworking the brass. You'll gain Case life as an end result and proper neck tension.

 

[fguffey]

I have decided to get a Giraud trimmer which requires full length resizing

I am not convinced full length sizing is required. I believe it helps when the reloader knows the length of the of the chamber from the shoulder of the chamber to the bolt face. Even the Dillon trimmers requires case holders/sizers that require adjusting. It helps when the reloader understands the datum is used to measure the case neck length and the case body length.

Again, the L.E. Wilson case gage has been with us from the beginning, it is a datum based tool.

F. Guffey

 

[fguffey]

I am thinking about Whidden dies who would use the reamer print to produce a die that would work the brass less than say a Redding die.

Whidden compared to Redding, then there are all the other manufacturers. My dies have threads, my presses have threads, I adjust my dies to control the length of the case from the shoulder to the case head. I use the length of the case to off set the length of the chamber.

F. Guffey

 

[/VH]

ratbuster,

I have a Carstensen 6ppc die that works very well. I'm not sure what he based the dimensions off of, I sent him a few fired cases and my reamer print. Once the brass has been fired a couple times, it seems to grow only about .0005" in length per firing/sizing cycle.

I also have a custom die from Kelbly's for a 6.5x47L that they built for me. Set at minimal setback, i have fired and sized several pieces of brass more than 15 times with not over .004" of growth in length, total.

With the above stated; I also have a 22-250 barrel that Kelbly's chambered for me that works very well with a Redding die.

All dies mentioned above are full length, neck bushing dies.

 

[amlevin]

I have decided to get a Giraud trimmer which requires full length resizing. I am thinking about Whidden dies who would use the reamer print to produce a die that would work the brass less than say a Redding die. I'd like to hear from those that use or have used custom dies and how they compare to off the shelf dies for brass longevity when full-length resizing. Thanks, Phil

Why does the Giraud trimmer require F/L sizing since only the shoulder/neck area fit into it.

Chances are the recommendation is to insure that the total length of the trimmed case is uniform. You can use a Forster Shoulder Bump/Neck Sizing Bushing Die that will make sure the base to shoulder datum point will be uniform as well as making sure the shoulder OD is proper. Pick the desired bushing that gives you the correct neck tension and you are only working the brass as much as necessary, no more.

A lot more economical than a custom die and you can get one a lot quicker.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

According to what the caliber is whidden usually has them in stock and i get custom ones in a week or so. No need to use an off the shelf die anymore

 

[amlevin]

According to what the caliber is whidden usually has them in stock and i get custom ones in a week or so. No need to use an off the shelf die anymore

I guess my question still is unanswered. Does the Giraud really require a F/L sizing or is "shoulder bump" sufficient? If so, why bother with an expensive die at all, off the shelf or not?

Of course if "Name" or "Brand" is important then it's your wallet.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The trimmer only uses the shoulder part on their insert. It shouldnt matter if you size at all.

 

[fguffey]

I guess my question still is unanswered. Does the Giraud really require a F/L sizing or is "shoulder bump" sufficient? If so, why bother with an expensive die at all, off the shelf or not?

Bad habits, there is maximum length, there is trim to length then there is tha gage that has bee with us from the beginning, the Wilson case gage. Most reloaders refer to it as a drop in gage. When a fired cases is measured in the Wilson case gage the length of the case is measured from the datum/shoulder to the case head. And the case is measured from the shoulder/datum to the end of the neck.

Complicated? If the case head protrudes from the gage the reloader needs to include the amount of protrusion to the length of the case. Then there is the chance the case neck protrudes from the other end of the gage. Then it comes down to experience. Experience would dictate the amount of trimming when setting up on the shoulder of the trimmer. I have a Gracey with a 223 case holder. The combination is set up to from off of the shoulder. The manufacturer assumes the reloader understands sizing a case for the chamber from the shoulder to the case head.

Bumping? All eloaders are bumping? the shoulder .002". If that is true trimming with the case holder set up on the shoulder should not be a problem.

F. Guffey

 

[jim_k]

I get pretty near perfect runout loading with RCBS full-length and standard seating dies. Be sure to "square the die" before sizing or seating. You put a spacer washer on top of the press ram as you are screwing the die in, until the die bottoms, then of course, remove the spacer washer or other spacer, and proceed with the loading process. You can get the Redding body/shoulder bump die, and then size the necks with the Lee collet neck sizing die. That makes it two steps, but they are full-length sized. Point of this is that the Redding body/shoulder bump die is not as tight as the standard FL sizing dies.

 

[rchouser]

More and more, I too have gone to the Redding Body die for my big hitters. I want to stay with the neck sizing only and only body size when/if the chambering gets squirrely. I then run them through the Redding body die as needed. I agree with the previous poster that the body dies are less radical with the amount they size.

Another plus is that I can run loaded ammo through the body die if I have overlooked something prior to the finished round.

300 Rum and 243 AI are two cases that get this special management, also my long range 308 and 260 REM brass. Just works for me.

thanks rch

 

[IrishJim]

According to what the caliber is whidden usually has them in stock and i get custom ones in a week or so. No need to use an off the shelf die anymore

I guess my question still is unanswered. Does the Giraud really require a F/L sizing or is "shoulder bump" sufficient? If so, why bother with an expensive die at all, off the shelf or not?

Of course if "Name" or "Brand" is important then it's your wallet.

Per the instructions with the Giruad Power Trimmer, it does require that you size your cases first in order for them to fit correctly into the Case Holder. However, you have options. You can special order a case holder for “neck-sized only cases”, by supplying three neck-sized cases from which a custom Case-Holder can be made. The contact information is Doug Giraud at doug@giraudtool.com or call 281-238-0844 weekdays 8-5. If you have your reamer, you can even purchase Blank Case-Holders and cut them yourself to your exact dimensions.