Question is. I already have the Redding Bushing sizing die for 6.5 Creedmoor. Can I use the same die to do 6mm Creedmoor by just swapping out the bushings. I already bought some Alpha 6mm Creedmoor new brass. That way I don't have to spend $100 on another die.
Using 6.5 Creedmoor Redding Bushing Sizing Die For 6mm Creedmoor
- Thread starter sig2009
- Start date
That's what I use with 7mm Creedmoor. Bushing for the 7mm in 6.5 Creedmoor die. I do run a 6.5 to 7mm mandrel in it first but not necessary since you are sizing down. You will also either need to get a 6mm sizing ball to put in your 6.5 die or just remove the 6.5 ball and use a 6mm mandrel. I use a mandrel in my case but if you are looking to do it the cheapest buy the correct 6mm neck bushing and sizing ball for your 6.5 die.
Simple answer... Yes. Just swap the sizing bushing and the seating stem, and you're good to go. 
If you want to learn more about the "why"... Here's a short novel.
I've been using my Redding Elite Type-S Bushing dies for both my 6.5CM's and .25CM for about a year now. Just a simple .281 bushing (.257 cases) swap on the sizing dies (.289 bushing for 6.5mm cases), and I swap it out to a .25 cal VLD seating stem in the seater die, when loading for .25 Creed.
Just a heads-up... Both .257 & .264 are extremely close in size and shape (1 caliber diameter difference), so it really wouldn't matter if I just used the 6.5mm seating stem for both, and only changed the bushings in the sizing dies...It would work just fine.
BUT... Using a 6.5mm stem on a 6mm bullet (2 caliber diameter difference) would be a bit too far of a plunge depth into the stem, IMO. You can use a 1 caliber size larger stem on the next size down bullet diameter, but you definitely don't want to use a SMALLER stem on the next size larger diameter bullet, than what it was cut for. And you definitely don't want to try to use them up or down, if you're more than 1 caliber size difference in bullet diameter (like trying to use a .30 caliber stem with a 6.5mm bullet would be a no-go, or vise-versa).
If you put both a .257 and 6.5mm stem on the same 6.5mm bullet (outside of the die, just in your hands), then wiggle the stem around while it's sitting on top of the bullet, you will see why. Trying to use the smaller stem on a larger bullet will have way too much wiggle, because it will sit high ron the ogive, because it was cut to fit the angles of a .257" bullet's ogive, therefore it won't hold the larger 6.5mm bullet properly, and will cause some concentricity and runout issues. Trying to use too large of a stem on too small of a bullet, will swallow the bullet into the stem, and won't allow you to get a proper pressure on the right spot on the bullet's ogive to get proper concentricity and runout.
If you want to learn more about the "why"... Here's a short novel.
I've been using my Redding Elite Type-S Bushing dies for both my 6.5CM's and .25CM for about a year now. Just a simple .281 bushing (.257 cases) swap on the sizing dies (.289 bushing for 6.5mm cases), and I swap it out to a .25 cal VLD seating stem in the seater die, when loading for .25 Creed.
Just a heads-up... Both .257 & .264 are extremely close in size and shape (1 caliber diameter difference), so it really wouldn't matter if I just used the 6.5mm seating stem for both, and only changed the bushings in the sizing dies...It would work just fine.
BUT... Using a 6.5mm stem on a 6mm bullet (2 caliber diameter difference) would be a bit too far of a plunge depth into the stem, IMO. You can use a 1 caliber size larger stem on the next size down bullet diameter, but you definitely don't want to use a SMALLER stem on the next size larger diameter bullet, than what it was cut for. And you definitely don't want to try to use them up or down, if you're more than 1 caliber size difference in bullet diameter (like trying to use a .30 caliber stem with a 6.5mm bullet would be a no-go, or vise-versa).
If you put both a .257 and 6.5mm stem on the same 6.5mm bullet (outside of the die, just in your hands), then wiggle the stem around while it's sitting on top of the bullet, you will see why. Trying to use the smaller stem on a larger bullet will have way too much wiggle, because it will sit high ron the ogive, because it was cut to fit the angles of a .257" bullet's ogive, therefore it won't hold the larger 6.5mm bullet properly, and will cause some concentricity and runout issues. Trying to use too large of a stem on too small of a bullet, will swallow the bullet into the stem, and won't allow you to get a proper pressure on the right spot on the bullet's ogive to get proper concentricity and runout.
