6.5 SS Sizing Question

[parshal]

I'm gearing up for an upcoming 6.5 Sherman Short build. A couple questions for those experienced with this cartridge. Note, I have talked to Rich and think this will work but I thought I'd ask if anyone has tried it. I'll be trying it even if nobody else has.

I've got a 6.5 SAUM bushing sizing die as well as a bunch of new Hornady GAP 4S brass. I've got neck turning tools for 6.5 as well.

My questions are:

1) Has anyone used a shortened 6.5 SAUM die to bump the shoulders on 7 SAUM brass? It seems likely this is just as easy as using a shortened 7 SAUM die.

2) Has anyone tried using GAP 4S brass? It would, again, seem simple enough to do notwithstanding the brass quality.

 

[Predator 22]

Since nobody else is answering I will give my $.02.
I have not used a 6.5 saum die and don't think I would chop up a bushing die for bumping the shoulder back. But I don't see why it wouldn't work. If you need a shortened 7saum die I would be happy to loan you mine.
As for the hornady brass. I would buy the Norma brass. It should be better quality all the way around. The headstamp isn't going to match anyway and the Norma is cheaper.
Like I said that's just my $.02.

 

[parshal]

Thanks for the reply!

I made two 6.5 SAUMs for some friends and bought 100 6.5 Hornady cases and a 7 SAUM type-s die. Since I already have that stuff I might as well use it. I've got 300 7 SAUM Norma cases on the way, though.

I went ahead and shortened the die rather than buy a new one. I first ran the 6.5 SAUM case through it without a bushing and pushed back the shoulders. I ran the mandrel through it and thinned the neck before shortening the cases. I used my 6.5 SAUM case holder in the Giraud trimmer to trim the case to the right length and I'm pretty sure I've got case ready for fireforming. I can't see why I can't use the same process with the right size bushing in the die.

My shoulder has an actual measurement of 1.545" with a Hornady comparator with their .420 die. I may have to push that back a bit more but it's a good start.

 

[parshal]

So, I got my 7 SAUM Norma brass today. I ran a case through my process I've used for the 6.5 SAUM brass and it came out perfect it two passes on the Co-Ax press. I ran a .292 bushing in the shortened 7 SAUM die. The doughnut is a lot smaller than using larger bushing sizes. I ran the case through the mandrel a couple strokes to iron out the inside and used a PMA 6.5 neck turning tool with a 35 degree cutter and Century 21 drill holder. Run it in the Giraud trimmer (I have a 6.5 SAUM pilot) and it's a perfect case ready to fireform. No need to run it through the 6.5 SS die.

My wildcatting, to this point, has been necking down cases for 6.5 WSM and 22 Creedmoor. After watching the O'Neill youtube video I thought this was going to be a much more involved process with 7mm mandrels, dies, turners, cutters, etc. No need!! This really isn't more involved than sizing a normal case other than needing to turn necks.

 

[parshal]

double post

 

[parshal]

For those who may find this thread in the future.

The outside doughnut when using a .292 bushing in the shortened Redding 7 SAUM type-s die. This is one stroke on the press.

And, here's a 6.5 SAUM, 6.5 WSM and 6.5 SS (fireformed).