Redding competition shell holder set

[Alpha1]

I just purchased a set of Redding competition shell holders for setting the shoulders back on my reloads and a body die.
Any body any experience with the shell holders.

[phaedra1106]

Basically use them the same as you would a normal shell holder. If your cases won't chamber (because of the shoulder position) using a standard FLS die swap the shell holder for the 1thou" and try that, again if it still doesn't chamber then try the 2thou" and so forth.

The Redding set allows you to bump the shoulder back in 1thou" steps, I had a similar problem with a Howa in 308, easiest solution was to have someone mill off 5thou" from the bottom of my FLS die then gradually screw it in until I got to the point that cases would chamber. Another alternative is the RBCS small base die, this sizes cases to the absolute min Saami spec.

[Alpha1]

I can not find any body that does a small base die in 6.5x55. So I invested in the shell holders and a body die. It's all part of the learning curve.

[The Gun Pimp]

Alpha1 - skimming the die as phaedra says is the easiest option. If the shell holders work, then fine.

If you want your die skimming, send it to me and I'll be happy to do it FOC.

[Alpha1]

Alpha1 - skimming the die as phaedra says is the easiest option. If the shell holders work, then fine.

If you want your die skimming, send it to me and I'll be happy to do it FOC.

Thanks for the offer. I have a lathe and a mill and access to a machine shop so I am able to skim it my self but I would have no idea how much to safely skim off what would you suggest. How would I work out how much material to remove. I guess I could use the shell holders to work it out then take a equivalent amount of the die.
Hmm another puzzle to solve.

[phaedra1106]

This would be my plan.

You have Lapua cases that fit, fire them and then use the fire formed cases to get the correct adjustment (if needed).

Run one case through a FLS die set up as normal using a standard shell holder, check to see if it chambers, if it does you don't need the Redding shell holders.

If you can't close the bolt or it's difficult to close re-size it again but this time swap out the shell holder for the 1thou" Redding, try again to see if it chambers

If it does problem solved and you can either continue using the Redding shell holder or mill 1thou" off the bottom of your FLS die.

If you still can't close the bolt or it's still difficult to close re-size it again but this time swap out the shell holder for the 2thou" Redding, try again to see if it chambers

Repeat as above until you get a case that will chamber with virtually no increase on the pressure needed to close the bolt on an empty chamber.

The most accurate way to do this is with the firing pin removed as it takes out the amount of force used to cock it when closing the bolt, however some firing pins are a PITA to remove so don't worry about it if you do it with the firing pin in place.

If you want to skim the die it's a simple OAL measurement from the top of the die body to the bottom, whichever Redding shell holder gives a working case that's the amount to remove. In my case we didn't have Redding shell holders so he took 5thou" off and I slowly adjusted the die down until I got a case that chambered.

[The Gun Pimp]

Alpha1 - skimming the die as phaedra says is the easiest option. If the shell holders work, then fine.

If you want your die skimming, send it to me and I'll be happy to do it FOC.

Thanks for the offer. I have a lathe and a mill and access to a machine shop so I am able to skim it my self but I would have no idea how much to safely skim off what would you suggest. How would I work out how much material to remove. I guess I could use the shell holders to work it out then take a equivalent amount of the die.
Hmm another puzzle to solve.

Skim off 20 thou. max. Ten thou should be enough though.

The die is case-hardened but once you break through that they are soft.

If you have access to a machine shop there must be a lathe with a DRO.