Gunsmithing Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

[kyreloader]

On my new build, I want a custom sizing die to work the brass minimally and help with concentricity. I am having a die reamer made to correspond to the chamber reamer for my new Shilen barrel.

My question is, can any good smith make the dies?

If not, where would you send your die reamer to have dies made?

 

[ATLRoach]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

www.ch4d.com/ will make them off the reamer.

 

[kombayotch]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

http://www.neiljones.com/ does this.

 

[BLAWTON]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

Those are two good choices. I also make blanks for the dies as well and can cut them.

 

[eddieharren]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

The gunsmith should have no problem making the dies. I use blanks from Newlon Precision. The real important question is can the gunsmith harden the dies properly.

 

[kyreloader]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

DocEd, can you tell me more about hardening the dies and what that entails?

Also, the other companies/Guru- do they/you harden the dies as DocEd speaks of?

Sorry if stupid questions, just trying to learn.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

The dies would need to be sent out to a firm that specializes in hardening. Do it wrong and they're trash.

Purchase your reamers from PTG and die blanks from Newlon. Dave will tell you who he uses.

 

[eddieharren]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

Who do you use?

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DocEd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Who do you use? </div></div>

I have'nt had the need yet but, if I did I'd use the same person Dave Kiff uses. I do know that heat treating is a specialized service best left to persons with the right equipment. There is a right way and a very bad way. The product can be made too brittle or too soft.

I knew a couple of guys that made dies once. They made them from barrel drops with the chambering reamer. They heated the die to a cherry red state and dropped in a coffee can full of oil. My money says the dies didnt work as intended

 

[FCS]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

Warner Tool Company makes, IMHO, the best die for what you are looking to do. I use Alan's dies for my F-class ammo.

I just received some Hornady FL bushing dies, set up around fired brass I sent them. I've got no complaints but haven't really had a chance to fully see how the ammo comes out either.

Depending on what caliber you are going with, Redding FL S die might be a valid option also.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Depending on what caliber you are going with, Redding FL S die might be a valid option also. </div></div>

Thats all I've been using for several years. FWIW, PTG makes the reamers that Redding uses. I've been using PTG Reamers for all of my chambering needs and have had zero problems with fired brass/accuracy on any rifle. Redding Type S Dies are absolutly a very valid option.

 

[eddieharren]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

So you don't make dies?

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DocEd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So you don't make dies? </div></div>

Thats right, I don't make dies.

 

[NBLongRanger]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

Like it was said. A gunsmith would have no problem with this. and homemade would not be my suggestion..Heat treating generally messes with the tolerances of a piece and most people don't have the oven to get the piece consistently heated.

 

[Jrb572]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

I have a die honed by JLC. Have not had a chance to use it yet. So I dont know how well it works. But you send 8 fired cases from your rifle. Here is a link : http://www.6mmbr.com/catalog/item/1433308/892435.htm

 

[Alan Warner]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

We have made plans to add three heat treat furnaces to our new building. ETA for move in day is mid Nov. I expect to be operational with the HT area by Jan 1.
I've done my own HT since my apprenticeship days back in the late 60's.
Furnace capacity will be max of 20 lb. lots with a cracked amonia, belt fed annealing oven for non ferrous and precious metals. (we do a lot of wild cat brass work up/turning)(GD contractors!) Inspection is mostly Wilson equip., and digital thermocouples linked to spc printout recorders.

Knowing how the material reacts to HT is the key to good results.
Every new lot of what ever steel you are using needs to be run through the cycles to determine what temps and draws give you what you want. Every steel mill and ewngineering data will give you data on any alloy know to man. Subtle variations of % of alloys within a lot will react differantly in the furnace.

HTH

Alan

Alan

 

[110len]

Re: Die Reamers and Custom FL Sizing Dies

I have one of Alan's dies for my 6.5x47. Just like his sights, there is no equal. Machining and function are second to none by a longshot.