Reloading 7mm STW

[ButterBean]

I use several lee collet resizing dies and I have to say they tend to work the brass less than other designs And they don't shave brass like some bushing dies do. I have noticed much less bullet pull, but I've never had zero where I bullet dropped into the case. Check for damage and lube your die, measure neck diameter before and after sizing. You should have at least .002 if not or you want more, buy an undersized mandrel or chuck you current one in a drill and spin-sand it down a little at a time. I would not adjust my press for cam over, it won't size any smaller and you will ruin the die. The collet is aluminum

I adjust the press to cam over so I know I'm putting the exact same amount of pressure and it's much easier to control spring back this way, and none of my collets are aluminum

 

[Mowgli Terry]

I use a Lee Collet sizing die for 257 Roberts mainly. Missed the bullet description. My bet is the collet dies needs to be readjusted. If the die worked before how come is doesn't now? What else if the mandrel is the correct diameter?

 

[Cody Nielsen]

Have had to do this on everyone of my mans reps for this size if adjust the press for cam over you will just shear the aluminum cap threads. Been there done that

 

[Cody Nielsen]

Mandrels

 

[7stw]

Have you annealed the brass?

That was my next question!

 

[7stw]

I am having problems with neck tension on my reloads. Can anybody help me out. I am using lee dies and seating oal at 3.600 projectile some times falls into case. Am i doing something wrong or is it bullets I'm using nosler 168gr ablr. Any help would be appreciated since I'm going to Montana in about 7 weeks for a mule deer hunt.

Lexi, it sounds to me like either your die isnt adjusted correctly, or possibly damaged. The other issue, could possibly be your brass. Remington brass, at best, is / was very soft. As was previously mentioned, or questioned, is do you anneal? If so, if over annealed, the zinc has been pushed out, thus, no tension. The folks at Lee, customer service, are very friendly, and knowledgeable on their product. Also, as mentioned, it may just be that you can spin up your mandrel, and increase your tension. Also, have necks been turned? A few possibles here, but a few critical measurements need to be made. Love this round as my title name states. Good luck on your solution, and your hunt. Love live the 7STW!

 

[ButterBean]

Have had to do this on everyone of my mans reps for this size if adjust the press for cam over you will just shear the aluminum cap threads. Been there done that

That's odd I've never had a problem

 

[David Emerson]

I ran into new winchester brass the necks are undersize. I recommend using 8 mag brass and necking it down.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

sounds like what was happening to my Pops with redding dies. Some 7stw brass is just a bit thin on top, and may thin further with a few firings. You need to either squeeze your brass down a bit more with a tighter collet (or different sizing die) or scrap your brass and start over. Annealing may help but probably won't fix the issue. Many 7stw dies are set so necked down 8rem or 375h@h brass will work well without overworking... In my Pops case, I handed him a set of rcbs dies and he sized with those now. They are a bit tighter than the redding.

 

[David Emerson]

sounds like what was happening to my Pops with redding dies. Some 7stw brass is just a bit thin on top, and may thin further with a few firings. You need to either squeeze your brass down a bit more with a tighter collet (or different sizing die) or scrap your brass and start over. Annealing may help but probably won't fix the issue. Many 7stw dies are set so necked down 8rem or 375h@h brass will work well without overworking... In my Pops case, I handed him a set of rcbs dies and he sized with those now. They are a bit tighter than the redding.

Saami for a stw is .318 in the chamber I think. The winchester measured .311 loaded. The rifle did not shoot well with that much clearance.