Sizing Die

C

coyotechet

Chet
Hello All
I am planning on ordering a new 6ppc reamer. Thinking about making my own sizing die. Having a sizing die reamer made at the same time.
I have no doubt that I can make a nice straight die and it will be made for neck sizing bushing's.
But I do have a couple of question.
1. What would be the best type of steel it make to die from?
2. Do I have to have the die hardened or can it just be reamer cut and give me good service?
3. Or should I just order a Die from one of the custom die makers to match my cut chamber.
Any other advice you may have I will gladly welcome.
Thanks Chet
 
Why not just send some fired cases to Harrell or Jim Carstensen of JLC Precision? For what they charge you'll save on time and money over the roughing reamer. We've made our own reamers for 30 years, but sometimes it's easier to go retail.

Just a thought and in no way am I trying to discourage you from doing it yourself.

Good luck,

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
 
chet
I have the same plans as yourself currently. I am going to go with a manson reamer and I think ill have a sizing die reamer made at the same time. I have a newlon die blank and a fixture to set it up in. after I ream and polish my sizing die, I am going to send it out for melonite. I know melonite is just a surface treatment but I think it will work quite well.
I thought about asking jim to make me a die, but for no more than what a sizing reamer cost, I figure it will be worth owning the tool. Who knows maybe one of my good friends will want one later on down the road??? Lee
 
coyotechet said:
Hello All
I am planning on ordering a new 6ppc reamer. Thinking about making my own sizing die. Having a sizing die reamer made at the same time.
I have no doubt that I can make a nice straight die and it will be made for neck sizing bushing's.
But I do have a couple of question.
1. What would be the best type of steel it make to die from?
2. Do I have to have the die hardened or can it just be reamer cut and give me good service?
3. Or should I just order a Die from one of the custom die makers to match my cut chamber.
Any other advice you may have I will gladly welcome.
Thanks Chet
Click to expand...


Simpler and a lot cheaper to just get a Harrels die. Maybe more satisfying to do your own but ultimately no better. Ultimately if you need a slightly different dimension Harrels will exchange it, try that with a reamer maker.
 
HOW bout chrome plating?

Some time ago, mebby a couple of years, there was some info on here from a fellow who would or will chrome plate the inside of dies. The plating Is microns thick and seemed to me to be a great enhancement to dies.

Pete
 
Years ago one of the reloading die companies,I believe it was either C&H or Pacific, offered chrome plating and it didn't work out very well. Don't recall the problem. That was one of RCBS's selling points,that theirs were not plated..p'y

On the which die to use, Kent Harshman suggested that I try one of Reddings 6ppc small base FL bushing dies. He told me the kind of case life he was getting and it was pretty impressive. I took his advise an since then my "custom dies" have been collecting a lot of dust. Also no more bolt click!
 
It was CH and the dies were horrible. I think they ditched that idea years ago. I need to call Dave this week and will ask about the pro & cons (and from what I remember it was mostly cons).

As for reaming the FL sizer or honing a core, you can hold to tenths way easier on the latter.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
 
I have some chromed lyman dies. It didnt hurt their performance but not that you could even tell a difference
 
Pete Wass said:
Some time ago, mebby a couple of years, there was some info on here from a fellow who would or will chrome plate the inside of dies. The plating Is microns thick and seemed to me to be a great enhancement to dies.

Pete
Click to expand...

Pete,

Here's who you're looking for. Great people and experienced shooters and reloaders.

Mahovsky's Metalife
RR 1, box 149A
Eureka Road
Grand Valley, PA 16420

e-mail: kenlenron@yahoo.com

Ph: 814-436-7747
 
I'll second Gene's point about Mahovsky. I've had them hard chrome over 15 guns and the finish is outstanding. I believe it Rockwells around 71 and the build doesn't exceed 0.0002". Here's a Ruger they did for me a few years back. This'll give you an idea of its appearance:

500_Maximum_32.jpg


-Lee
www.singleactions.com
 
Lee Martin said:
I'll second Gene's point about Mahovsky. I've had them hard chrome over 15 guns and the finish is outstanding. I believe it Rockwells around 71 and the build doesn't exceed 0.0002". Here's a Ruger they did for me a few years back. This'll give you an idea of its appearance:

500_Maximum_32.jpg


-Lee
www.singleactions.com
Click to expand...

I'm going to assume that you put that gorgeous revolver on the rock to highlight the durability of the finish.
 
Thanks Gene

Gene Beggs said:
Pete,

Here's who you're looking for. Great people and experienced shooters and reloaders.

Mahovsky's Metalife
RR 1, box 149A
Eureka Road
Grand Valley, PA 16420

e-mail: kenlenron@yahoo.com

Ph: 814-436-7747
Click to expand...

Appreciate your offering this up. It always seemed to me that plating the inside of dies or even totally plating them was the best solution. I have had some rifle actions with bolts that had been Melonite coated and in not too long, the coating wears off the surfaces where they work. I suspect the same would be the case with dies. Actually, why not chrome plate bolts?

Pete
 
Pete - there's no reason why you can't hard-chrome bolts. Mahovsky has done a few rifles for me, including this .50 Alaskan Siamese Mauser:



Again, since the build doesn't exceed 0.0002", it won't impede function even on a closely fit BR rig. The only thing to consider however is the surface. Metalife comes through slightly frosted. Old Mauser actions like the one above have enough play for it to cycle smoothly. Take a benchrest action with 0.001" or so clearance and you may want to polish the body.

I'm finishing-up a PPC action we did out of 4140. The receiver will get Metalife, but I'm still undecided on the bolt. I may leave that in the white. If I do both I'll post an update.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top