.338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

[memilanuk]

Hello all,

I'm working on loading for a .338 LM, and my two choices for presses were my Forster Co-Ax or my Dillon 550. Chose the Coax after calling Forster and checking that the 'LS' jaws should fit a .338LM.

Well, got back from the road and there was a nice new set of LS jaws waiting for me, so I took the standard jaws off the press, put the new ones on, and promptly discovered the case head/ rim of the .338 stuff wouldn't *quite* fit. It'd kinda 'snap' in place but getting it out was a royal PITA - had to take a small flat blade screw driver and spread the jaws just an RCH further to get the case out of there. I had already screwed the spreader post up as far as it will go - there is no more to be had that I can tell.

It's looking like the Forster LS jaws were designed with the .532 'magnum' size case heads everything else *except* the .338 LM uses (.588). So... while I'm sure down the road I'll be glad I have the extra set of jaws for the press, right now it looks like I'm a little bit screwed - unless of course I missed something and there is some other way to make the jaws work properly with this cartridge (short of grinding on them)?

Somewhere around here I've got an adapter for the Co-Ax to take regular RCBS/Redding type shell holders. I'm a little worried that might take up some vertical space that may prove necessary. The other option would be to order the shellplate for the Dillon 550 to take the .338 LM case head.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Monte

 

[sinister]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

I use my 550 with Forster dies.

I'll probably get the "T" shellplate to use Redding dies as well.

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: memilanuk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any ideas or suggestions?</div></div>
Monte, check LRH; there's info there.

 

[Deisel]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

Monte, there is a screw in the bottom of the Co-Ax that determines how far the jaws open. You just need to give that screw enough turns to get the size opening you want.

 

[memilanuk]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

sinister,

What 'T' shellplate do you mean? Haven't heard of any such critter for the 550; already have one for the Coax.

Win69,

Will look there, thanks.

diesel,

Read my post again carefully, please.

 

[sinister]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

The "T" plate is machined .030" shorter than the "G" plate to raise the case higher to the die holder.

The "G" works with the Forster but not Redding dies (the shell plate limits how far the case can go into the die).

 

[memilanuk]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

Would you happen to have a link to said component? Maybe its too early in the morning, but I'm not finding any reference to such.

 

[sinister]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1371187

 

[memilanuk]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

"R&D guy"

That would explain why it doesn't show up anywhere a person would expect to be able to buy Dillon parts.

The local store had an RCBS #14 shell holder for $9... I'll see how that works first.

Next ordeal is figuring out how to trim these bad boys... I long ago re-fitted my Wilson trimmer with all the Sinclair goodies, including the Starrett micrometer head, etc. Works great for cases between 6mm BR and .30-06... but the .338 won't fit in there, and I highly doubt I still have the original parts to put it back. And of course all the local stores are out of Wilson trimmers, and Wilson has got kind of growly about walk-in customers the last year or so...

Fun-n-games. Not sure I would have agreed to this had I realized that almost *nothing* I had would fit the blasted case.

 

[Deisel]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

Monte, sorry for not reading closer, I see where you mentioned adjusting the screw. I am reloading .338 Lapua Magnum using Lapua brass on the Forster Co-Ax and the LS jaws and it works fine, the brass clears the jaws with no problem. I also struggled with this and called Forster. They first mentioned the adjusting screw and second they said the jaws might be installed upside down, which of course I had managed to do. You might want to check that also.

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: memilanuk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The local store had an RCBS #14 shell holder for $9... I'll see how that works first. </div></div>
The #14 shell holder is for the larger Weatherby brass. You will need the #37 shell holder for Rigby.

 

[sinister]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Next ordeal is figuring out how to trim these bad boys... I long ago re-fitted my Wilson trimmer with all the Sinclair goodies, including the Starrett micrometer head, etc. Works great for cases between 6mm BR and .30-06... but the .338 won't fit in there,</div></div>

Sinclair's: Wilson Trimmer Holder, 338 Lapua Magnum, W338LH $9.15

 

[memilanuk]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

Notice that I said "won't fit", not that there wasn't a case holder available.

With all the whizz-bang add-ons I mentioned, it shortens up the max length of case that you can trim. I managed to slide a piece this way, another part that way, and tighten a set screw on the very edge of a flat instead of in the middle and got it to work, but it was/is far from ideal.

 

[sinister]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

Hmm. I don't have the Starrett micrometer head (just the stock screw-in) and mine fits.

I'd hate to think you'd have to go to the .50-cal trimmer holder to use the Starrett.

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

Monte,
I don't know with any certainty that what I'm suggesting is workable, but Wilson has a 50 BMG version of their trimmer available. Seems to me that the chassis must be longer on that trimmer. If so and available, it could be a bolt-on.

 

[memilanuk]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

Guys... read my post

I got it to work, just not quite the way I originally wanted.

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: .338 LM + Forster Coax, Dillon 550???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: memilanuk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...but it was/is far from ideal. </div></div>
You sounded dissatisfied.