Redding Comp Shell Holders

[AnimalMother224]

I may just be running into an issue with the combination of stuff im using. Ive been battling getting consistent FL sizing/bump for a while and figured I would try the comp shell holder set.

my setup (for now) this is for 6.5 Creedmoor

T Mag II press

Whidden Gun works FL bushing die

Now I believe the die doesn't allow the use for these shell holders simply bc the instructions require the die to screw down to the shell holder top and then backed off 1/3 turn, so that right there tells me that using these holders is pointless but I bought them anyway cuz why not right

if I screw down this die to contact ANY shell holder, the Lyman or Redding, the sizing bump is astronomical. like 20 thou.

I should be using a Redding die if I want more control?

Im in belief my press is my primary issue and im in the market for a new one of much higher quality but for now this is what I have to deal with.

 

[Supersubes]

Whidden dies are short, so what you’re seeing is normal. Bypass Redding and buy a Hornady match die. Much higher quality, at roughly half the cost. It uses the same Wilson or Redding bushings.

 

[spife7980]

Rather than spending 50 bucks on shell holders you should buy a comparator (which it appears that you have) and just learn to set up a die properly in the first place.

 

[918v]

I may just be running into an issue with the combination of stuff im using. Ive been battling getting consistent FL sizing/bump for a while and figured I would try the comp shell holder set.

my setup (for now) this is for 6.5 Creedmoor

T Mag II press

Whidden Gun works FL bushing die

Now I believe the die doesn't allow the use for these shell holders simply bc the instructions require the die to screw down to the shell holder top and then backed off 1/3 turn, so that right there tells me that using these holders is pointless but I bought them anyway cuz why not right

if I screw down this die to contact ANY shell holder, the Lyman or Redding, the sizing bump is astronomical. like 20 thou.

I should be using a Redding die if I want more control?

Im in belief my press is my primary issue and im in the market for a new one of much higher quality but for now this is what I have to deal with.

If your W die is giving you .030” shoulder bump then yes you cannot use the Redding comp shell holders. You can use them with Redding RCBS Forster Hornady, etc.

 

[918v]

Rather than spending 50 bucks on shell holders you should buy a comparator (which it appears that you have) and just learn to set up a die properly in the first place.

You don’t know the benefits offered by these shell holders.

 

[spife7980]

You don’t know the benefits offered by these shell holders.

What? Being able to not adjust the die but swap shell holders to accommodate for different lots and different rifles brass? Being able to keep solid contact between the die and the shell holder?
I dont really see that as a benefit when all they seem to cause its trouble.

OP, when adjusted for proper shoulder bump of .002, do you have any issues chambering the brass? I bet you wont and that the base will be sized down fine and that the sized cases are all consistent.

 

[918v]

How do they cause trouble?

 

[AnimalMother224]

What? Being able to not adjust the die but swap shell holders to accommodate for different lots and different rifles brass? Being able to keep solid contact between the die and the shell holder?
I dont really see that as a benefit when all they seem to cause its trouble.

OP, when adjusted for proper shoulder bump of .002, do you have any issues chambering the brass? I bet you wont and that the base will be sized down fine and that the sized cases are all consistent.

no issues chambering, I did have a few lightly stuck cases in the chamber on the 2nd firing. I do have a comparator and I have set up the die properly a number of times and im still getting 4 to 6 thou variances and its not consistent... meaning I can't replicate it, its random. and thats compared before and after sizing each piece of brass which, honestly, is super fun /sarcasm

my next step is annealing 1x fired brass but my annealer on order is taking a while b.c of the china flu

it makes sense the W die is a short die ... just wanted to confirm. thanks everyone

 

[mbeavers1]

I may just be running into an issue with the combination of stuff im using. Ive been battling getting consistent FL sizing/bump for a while and figured I would try the comp shell holder set.

my setup (for now) this is for 6.5 Creedmoor

T Mag II press

Whidden Gun works FL bushing die

Now I believe the die doesn't allow the use for these shell holders simply bc the instructions require the die to screw down to the shell holder top and then backed off 1/3 turn, so that right there tells me that using these holders is pointless but I bought them anyway cuz why not right

if I screw down this die to contact ANY shell holder, the Lyman or Redding, the sizing bump is astronomical. like 20 thou.

I should be using a Redding die if I want more control?

Im in belief my press is my primary issue and im in the market for a new one of much higher quality but for now this is what I have to deal with.

Is this one of their click sizers? If so, read the instructions. You screw it until it touches the unscrew it 1/3 of a turn. Then you 'click it in until you get the bump you want. I found this out the hard way and was so confused cuz I screwed it all the way in plus 1/8 turn for cam over. Ended up with like a 15thou bump.

 

[AnimalMother224]

Is this one of their click sizers? If so, read the instructions. You screw it until it touches the unscrew it 1/3 of a turn. Then you 'click it in until you get the bump you want. I found this out the hard way and was so confused cuz I screwed it all the way in plus 1/8 turn for cam over. Ended up with like a 15thou bump.

correct. it is a click adjust. just not getting the consistency from it. like I said before, it very well be a few other issues.. my shitty press, the case lube im using... number of other things im dealing with

 

[mbeavers1]

@918v is right. The Redding Comp Shellholders won't help with that sizer BECAUSE of its click feature and how it's set up. They only work with a 'normal FL sizing die that touches the shell holder. The comp holders have different depths which allows you chance bump with holder/die contact. It accomplishes the same thing as your click feature.

Unfortunately not enough experience with the Whidden (its my friends, I use Mighty Armory) to explain the variation. Sorry...

 

[smoothy8500]

T Mag II press

Im in belief my press is my primary issue and im in the market for a new one of much higher quality but for now this is what I have to deal with.

Is it possible that the turret press is giving the 4-6 thou of deflection?

 

[918v]

correct. it is a click adjust. just not getting the consistency from it. like I said before, it very well be a few other issues.. my shitty press, the case lube im using... number of other things im dealing with

Comp shell holders with hard contact with the die eliminate all these issues as long as the press is mounted to a solid bench, the kind where you can really lean on the press.

With respect to annealing, don’t do it to 1x brass. Wait till it is 3-5x or you will kill accuracy.

 

[mbeavers1]

Comp shell holders with hard contact with the die eliminate all these issues as long as the press is mounted to a solid bench, the kind where you can really lean on the press.

With respect to annealing, don’t do it to 1x brass. Wait till it is 3-5x or you will kill accuracy.

Not sure I agree with your annealing view? How does it kill accuracy by returning every piece brass to the same stress state prior to sizing. It ensures your brass reacts the same way to sizing (spring back) to give consistent neck tension.

Only see it if you anneal wrong, but then your f'd your brass...

 

[AnimalMother224]

Is it possible that the turret press is giving the 4-6 thou of deflection?

very much possible. I was fighting it to the point I machined the center bolt and not its a fully locked press and I have to use a socket and loosen it to turn stations.. and I can still indicate flex when im sizing. the linkage is sloppy, VERY sloppy, thats not helping.

 

[AnimalMother224]

Comp shell holders with hard contact with the die eliminate all these issues as long as the press is mounted to a solid bench, the kind where you can really lean on the press.

With respect to annealing, don’t do it to 1x brass. Wait till it is 3-5x or you will kill accuracy.

Im shooting Hornady brass and there are times after 1x firing where the case feels harder into the sizer than other cases from the same loads and same firings in the same chamber. only leads me to believe either is a sizing lube issue or some brass is work hardening faster than others. I know of many shooters that anneal after every firing with high end brass .. I figured it couldn't hurt if I do it right. I just can't right now bc my anal eeez is on the slow boat due to the 'Rona

 

[918v]

It’s a variance in pressure. Low pressure rounds are easier to resize.

 

[AnimalMother224]

It’s a variance in pressure. Low pressure rounds are easier to resize.

interesting. Im leaving my load development from SW Precision (Varget) which was high pressure and going back to H3450.

 

[wpgk58]

1. The Whidden Click adjust die are excellent and I have found very consistent. If you are getting inconsistencies then look to other factors such as press slop or metal springback.
Press slop can only be fixed with a better press. I run a T7 and usual runout is .0005”. As for springback, annealing is the solution. AMP is the gold standard, but there are several economical torch based systems that work great. I run a AMP, but started out with an Annealeez, which I kept as a backup.
2. Adjust the Whidden die to the direction. Then turn down 1/16 turn until you just get some bump. When you get the bump back it off the 1/16 and use the click system to control the bump.
3. Competitions Shell Holder work great with fixed length dies. For my Redding dies I love them. Allows great control without having to chase die settings.
4. Annealing. I anneal with every reloading. This way I am absolutely certain that each brass is consistent as possible.
5. Premium brass is inherently more consistent than other brands. With Hornady and other there can be manufactured with cheaper and thinner brass. Premium brands like Lapua, Alpha and Peterson are my go to brands. Mostly Peterson. I have batches of Peterson 6.5 CM that have been reloaded 16 times and still going strong.
Happy Loading.

 

[AnimalMother224]

Thanks WP. Im hoping with the addition of a new press and annealing I can close down the wide spread readings. I appreciate the input.