Redding Ackley die problems

[fw707]

I recently bought some Redding dies for loading .223 AI and .243 AI ammo, because Forster doesn't make dies in either caliber.
The micrometer seater for the .223 makes a ring around the tip of the 75 A-Max bullets I'm loading. It's deep enough that it actually sticks on the down stroke as the bullet leaves the seater plug. I called Redding tech support a few minutes ago, and it looks like I gotta buy a separate seater plug for "VLD type" bullets.

Now, on to the sizer die:

The shell holder bottoms out on the die before the case goes deep enough to even touch the shoulder, so it's sizing the base, but not bumping the shoulder.



Any suggestions?

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Redding Ackley die problems

"..the sizer die: The shell holder bottoms out on the die before the case goes deep enough to even touch the shoulder."

The real question is how well does it size the cases, meaning do the resized cases chamber properly?

 

[fw707]

Re: Redding Ackley die problems

The base seems to be sizing just fine. The cases chamber easily after 2 firings.
But, will they be too long to chamber after a few more firings because I can't bump the length back?

 

[former naval person]

Re: Redding Ackley die problems

Maybe...either thin the top of the shell holder or take a bit off the bottom of the die. JMHO

 

[GreatGonzo]

Re: Redding Ackley die problems

I had to thin the top of my shell holder (280 AI). I barely took any off, maybe .006-.010.

 

[acloco]

Re: Redding Ackley die problems

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fw707</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I recently bought some Redding dies for loading .223 AI and .243 AI ammo, because Forster doesn't make dies in either caliber.
The micrometer seater for the .223 makes a ring around the tip of the 75 A-Max bullets I'm loading. It's deep enough that it actually sticks on the down stroke as the bullet leaves the seater plug. I called Redding tech support a few minutes ago, and it looks like I gotta buy a separate seater plug for "VLD type" bullets.

Now, on to the sizer die:

The shell holder bottoms out on the die before the case goes deep enough to even touch the shoulder, so it's sizing the base, but not bumping the shoulder.

Any suggestions? </div></div>

Seating stem - drill the hollow of the stem out to 0.125" to 0.140". POLISH the sharp edge left.


Sizing - how do you know your chamber is not too deep? If you can easily close the bolt on a 2x sized case, something is not adding up. Yes, you can cut your shell holder (preferred method).

Does the bolt on your rifle close on a standard piece of brass with a couple pieces of scotch tape attached to the case head? If so, your chamber is too deep - consult the smith that did th work. (PS - a true AI chamber provides for a 0.004" crush on the parent case)

 

[JCH]

Re: Redding Ackley die problems

Sizing-if you are near anyone that has a lathe take a little off the bottom of the die. It works. Had to do it on a 6x47L Forster

 

[Ackley Improved]

Re: Redding Ackley die problems

FL die bottoming out on shell holder is a common occurance with custom rifles. Usually the tolerances are kept tighter, like headspace.

I have had 3 rifles now where the FL die wouldnt size the case, and as mentioned I just removed some from the top of the shell holder, very little actually.

Also if you drill out the stem, make sure you do not open it to much. You do not want the bullet getting seated by its tip, but rather the the ogive. You may have some consistancy issues with depths if off the tip, and runout... I'd just get the VLD stem!!

CHeers

 

[fw707]

Re: Redding Ackley die problems

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: acloco</div><div class="ubbcode-body">[Does the bolt on your rifle close on a standard piece of brass with a couple pieces of scotch tape attached to the case head? If so, your chamber is too deep - consult the smith that did th work. (PS - a true AI chamber provides for a 0.004" crush on the parent case)</div></div>

ac,
the barrel was chambered by Greg Young (bugholes here on the Hide). He was very specific on the .004 crush on the new brass.
Actually, he did a .243 AI for me at the same time. He knows his stuff on the Ackleys.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ackley Improved</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also if you drill out the stem, make sure you do not open it to much. You do not want the bullet getting seated by its tip, but rather the the ogive. You may have some consistancy issues with depths if off the tip, and runout... I'd just get the VLD stem!!

CHeers
</div></div>

Yep, I'm going to get the VLD stem. Every time I try to "fix" something, I end up with more time and money invested than it's worth in the first place.



Thanks everybody for the replies. I'm going to shave a little off the shell holder and see how it works out.

 

[Bugholes]

Re: Redding Ackley die problems

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: former naval person</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe...either thin the top of the shell holder or take a bit off the bottom of the die. JMHO</div></div> This!

 

[msalm]

Re: Redding Ackley die problems

Well if Greg did it, it's probably a good snug chamber on the min side of headspace (which is a good thing). Also, it's probably done very well too as he's pretty anal about things...in a good way.

 

[fw707]

Re: Redding Ackley die problems

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: msalm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well if Greg did it, it's probably a good snug chamber on the min side of headspace (which is a good thing). Also, it's probably done very well too as he's pretty anal about things...in a good way. </div></div>

You're right about that!
Greg did both barrel jobs for me at the same time. The .243 AI is a 26" Brux with an 8 twist, and the .223 AI is a 22" Rock, also with an 8 twist.
The .243 was wearing out a steel silhouette at 945 yards last weekend with 105 A-Maxes.
A buddy (LOBO151) shot the .223 at 400 yards and wadded five 75 A-Maxes up in the same spot on the steel plate...with fire-forming loads.

I'm going to post up some pictures of the rifles the next time we shoot, IF I can remember the camera!