Redding Competition Bushing Style - Neck Sizing Die - Interchangeable Bushings

[phorwath]

I own a Redding Competition Bushing Style - Neck Sizing Die for the 338 Rem Ultra Mag.

Is there any reason I couldn't use this 338 die with the appropriate neck bushing for neck sizing a 25 RUM? Same basic cartridge case necked down to .257? I've tried contacting Redding by phone (no luck) and by e-mail last week, but so far haven't received any response.

Anyone tried this or done something like this with a Redding bushing style neck sizing die? Like maybe using their 338 RUM die with neck bushings for the 300 RUM or 7mm RUM?

Conceptually I don't visualize any problems. The casing should still be pretty well centered in the sliding sleeve, no?

[Broz]

I have not done this yet. But as far as I can see it will work. I remove the expander anyway and only size down to .001 or .0015" below loaded neck size with the brass and bullet I am using. Should work fine. I have a couple different redding "S" dies and have measured the OD. of the bushings. They all seem to be .500"

Jeff

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[phorwath]

Thanks Jeff. I'm ready to order some bushings but prior to parting with the money, I was looking for reassurance I wouldn't be wasting it. I'll give this thread a little more time and see if anyone that's actually done this, or talked to Redding about this, chimes in.

[davewilson]

A 25RUM....are we feeling the need for speed?

don't claim to know for sure, but i'm under the impression that the shoulder height(headspace) may be different. some bushings seem to go down over the shoulder/case wall intersection and some seem to start somewhere on the shoulder surface. not sure which RUM case you're using but the 338 is a little shorter which is not a big deal. just make sure the shoulder surface is complete on the bushing or you might have a step on the shoulder of a sized case.

[Dano1]

I read an article in American Rifleman called 1/2 mile .22's (I can't remember what issue), Where the Author was loading for a .22-6mm AI loading long vld Bullets. He used a bushing sizer for a 6mm AI to size and a .22-250 Competition seating die to seat his bullets. Not sure if they were Redding though. you would also need a sizing button to keep the necks sized propperly and would have to definately trun the necks.

I would guess that it is possible, but I would call redding. It may be wiser to just get some dies made.

Dan

[winmagman]

I did exactly that, used 25 wssm dies for a 6.5 wssm. If I remember correctly the tech at Redding told me you could go up or down 1 caliber size and the bushings would work, more than that they said wouldn't. I can't remember why.

Would certainly check with them before ordering, not sure I've got the details right.

Chris

[phorwath]

Originally Posted by davewilson

A 25RUM....are we feeling the need for speed?

don't claim to know for sure, but i'm under the impression that the shoulder height(headspace) may be different. some bushings seem to go down over the shoulder/case wall intersection and some seem to start somewhere on the shoulder surface. not sure which RUM case you're using but the 338 is a little shorter which is not a big deal. just make sure the shoulder surface is complete on the bushing or you might have a step on the shoulder of a sized case.

Ha! A guy at the local gun shop asked why I wanted a 25 RUM. My reply was I wanted my bullet to strike the 600 yd gong before his, even while letting him fire first. He shook his head like he was expecting a more adult-like answer.

I neck down the 7mm RUM case to 25 caliber for this cartridge and it's ready to go. Well not quite. There's also the standard uniforming of the primer pocket, inside deburring the flash hole, outside neck turning, annealing the case necks, cornmeal fireforming to pressure fit the cases to my chamber, trimming to uniform case length, VLD deburring the inner case neck and deburring the outer case neck.

The case body and shoulder angle on all the RUMs are basically the same to my knowledge, so I think the 338 RUM bushing neck sizing die would be completely functional with the proper sized bushing for the 300 RUM, 7mm RUM or my wildcat 25 RUM.

I already have a custom Redding full length sizing die. But I also want the option of neck sizing only - using a bushing die. I'll study my 338 RUM die setup tonight by unscrewing the top half of the bushing neck sizing die to see where my 25 RUM case neck/shoulder junction is positioned with the RCBS press ram in the proper up position. As long as the neck/shoulder junction clears the recess that the neck bushing bottoms out on in the sleeve, I think this sleeve and die will function properly with a 257 neck bushing.

Thanks for the input to date. I'll see if I can't get ahold of Redding Tech staff by phone again tommorow.