Lapua 6.5 Credmoor

[shoot 51]

I took off a shot out barrel and had a gunsmith ream my new barrel with a tight chamber reamer. The old Lapua brass would not fit the new chamber because of the dimension near the rim. I borrowed a modified full length die and brought a few back to Sammi specs.

The old brass has only 5-6 loads on them. Is this a good idea or should I dump them and start with new brass?

 

[spife7980]

If the new die squeezed the bases down far enough without the sacrifice of oversizing the rest of the case dimensions then I would say to go ahead and run them.

 

[Skunkworx]

Small base die would squeeze the web/base area back enough to take care of your issues then you shouldn’t have any issues reusing your old brass.

 

[shoot 51]

If the new die squeezed the bases down far enough without the sacrifice of oversizing the rest of the case dimensions then I would say to go ahead and run them.

I have 200 used ones and with only 1/2dz loads on them it would be just bad to throw them out especially since the pockets are tight.

 

[jp201827]

I'd second a small base die, I like redding bushing dies. Not sure if they make small base bushing dies for 6.5 creed but I have one for 308 so I'm guessing they do. Also might wanna check ur headspace, even tho it's most likely for sure headspaced within specs, it could be on the shorter end vs ur old barrel so you might need to bump the shoulders back further than u was before. I'd get a small base die, take ur ejector pin out of ur bolt, screw the die out long and size the brass, try it in the chamber and keep screwing the die in alittle at a time and resizing until its easy to put the bolt down. That'll give you a rough estimate of how far you should have the die screwed in and bumping the shoulders.

 

[davere]

Realize there isn't a small base 6.5CM die on the market... at least, not that I've found. Odd, I know.

There are various options that should work. In theory, a small base .308 die should get it done, and likely will not touch the shoulder on your 6.5CM cases. Another option that works well (surprisingly) is a Lee Undersize die for .45 ACP. With either option, you'll still need to full length resize after and bump your shoulder appropriately.

I've also tried the Patriot Valley universal SBD - it seems to work, but it's loud (push through die) and folks have recently reported issues getting the correct size bushing. It's also very expensive compared to the other options. I switched to the Lee .45 die from the Universal SBD recently.

 

[shoot 51]

Realize there isn't a small base 6.5CM die on the market... at least, not that I've found. Odd, I know.

There are various options that should work. In theory, a small base .308 die should get it done, and likely will not touch the shoulder on your 6.5CM cases. Another option that works well (surprisingly) is a Lee Undersize die for .45 ACP. With either option, you'll still need to full length resize after and bump your shoulder appropriately.

I've also tried the Patriot Valley universal SBD - it seems to work, but it's loud (push through die) and folks have recently reported issues getting the correct size bushing. It's also very expensive compared to the other options. I switched to the Lee .45 die from the Universal SBD recently.

the die I borrowed was one that the gunsmith and his friend modified on a lath to make brass especially for their own guns and Idk what caliber it was for. All I know is he said try it and I did. The press pressure was immense and the only lube I could get to work was RCBS pad lube. The measurement on the case was very close to a new case. I was just concerned that I might somehow be damaging the metal by over stressing it.

 

[davere]

the die I borrowed was one that the gunsmith and his friend modified on a lath to make brass especially for their own guns and Idk what caliber it was for.

Sure - I was just mentioning some options for other folks that might find this thread - or for you, if you decide to pick something up for yourself in the future...

 

[abn31c]

I've had this also, I took a spare shell holder and filed a couple thou of it so I could shove my case deeper in the hole. Still shooting that brass.

 

[whatsupdoc]

RCBS 32931 SB6.5 Creedmoor die

 

[ruebarb]

I would anneal the brass, it will take the stress out of the brass, then resize back to spec

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

I would anneal the brass, it will take the stress out of the brass, then resize back to spec

I don't think annealing the body of the case is the best idea. ?

One pass through a small base die should not ruin the cases. Even if you find you now need to use it consistently, using a small base with a tighter chamber is not a lot different than using a normal die with a looser chamber.

I wouldn't pitch the brass until it starts showing signs of failure.

 

[Tokay444]

My Redding full length die sizes far enough down on my cases that I can run cases originally shot in my Bergara, in my PVA barrel.
My Hornady full length die would not.

 

[ruebarb]

I don't think annealing the body of the case is the best idea. ?

One pass through a small base die should not ruin the cases. Even if you find you now need to use it consistently, using a small base with a tighter chamber is not a lot different than using a normal die with a looser chamber.

I wouldn't pitch the brass until it starts showing signs of failure.

His question was base on using a "modified full length die". Depending on how "modified" the die is, the shoulder may still be pushed way back to get the base to move. Annealing would only aid in preventing premature failure, as the brass is already work hardened at 5-6 firings. Plus thier is no negative to annealing between any firings, only benefits to be gained.

 

[Tokay444]

His question was base on using a "modified full length die". Depending on how "modified" the die is, the shoulder may still be pushed way back to get the base to move. Annealing would only aid in preventing premature failure, as the brass is already work hardened at 5-6 firings. Plus thier is no negative to annealing between any firings, only benefits to be gained.

That completely depends on where you anneal it. Assuming you're annealing the area we're talking about, the base, then you couldn't be more wrong.