.416x2" Reloading Dies

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D-Man

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My gunsmith has just finished chambering and fitting a barrel to a Rem 660 action for me, in .416x2", also know as the 10.6x51. Any suggestions on where to get reloading dies made?
 
Sounds like a fun little rig.

RCBS might also offer them. You'll likely have to do some emailing around to ask. Another option is having your 'smith ream a die blank with the reamer he used on your rifle.
 
I thought I did have the die issue sorted out as I ordered two blank dies from Pacific Tool & Gauge when I ordered the reamer. However, the blanks sent were bored straight through at .458". Gunsmith can machine and install sleeves and then run the chamber reamer through but the reamer would have to be ground a few thou' and I don't want to ruin it. I contacted CH4D today and they say they can do it, not sure the cost yet. Thanks all for your input.
P.S. Turkeyslayer....I was going to build a .458 American but thought a .416 would be more versatile.
 
Last I bought custom 350WSM dies from Hornady for $109 I think it was. That is/was their standard price. Pretty easy - just sent them 3 fire formed cases and they did their thing. I kept the Pacific Tool chamber reamer unaltered for future use. Took about 6 weeks I think. I like Hornady dies anyway - especially like the elliptical expander button they supply.

However you'll have to McGiver a way to form the test brass and seat the bullets for fire forming. Use full house loads or brass will not fill out to chamber walls. If you have a belted case (I'm thinking so) then the COW method might be used somehow too (neck to below neck diameter and then blow shoulder forward and neck out - ? - should be a way - ???).

Sounds like a great little powerhouse shooter there!
 
I should have asked before but what is the parent case, 458 Win?

Also, why would you have to grind the reamer down a few thou to ream a die blank? Doesn't make sense to me to have the die way undersized from the chamber.
 
Yes, parent case is .458 Win. As I understand it, internal dimensions of a sizing die are machined "slightly" smaller than the rifle chamber to ensure cartridge case loads easily. I'm no gunsmith but I have heard this from several sources.
 
Hmm...no reason to doubt it. Still, if the die blank is chambered after the barrel there should have been wear on the reamer (though an infantessimally small amount) that would produce a smaller internal dimension than the barrel chamber.

When you get it burning powder make sure to update us on the progress. Sounds like it would be a beauty bush rifle with 350 gr X Bullets (if you can still get those plain janers anywhere).
 
You could probably cobble together a set by cutting down a Lee 416 Rem F/L die by about 1.125" and adjust it so only the top 1.725" gets touched (the part above the belt and web). For bullet seating, a 450 Marlin seater die would likely work.
 
My .416x2" Rem 660 is finished and dies from CH4D are on order. #5 contour barrel cut to 21" , weight is up front and balance is great. Custom dies are only $100US but a 5-month wait. In the meantime I may take Andy's advice on cutting down a .416Rem Lee die to form some cases, I don't think I can wait 5 months.....
 
I finally received the dies after waiting more than a year. Turn-around time seems to be much better now as I just received an order of two draw dies in two weeks. Go figure. 458WM brass necked down and trimmed seems to work best. Tried .350RM brass but case wall was too thin and bullets would not seat tightly enough. Solved that by wrapping one turn of scotch tape around neck when resizing. It worked but was a pain so now use .458WM exclusively. 400gr. Hornady's offer best accuracy so far but range is somewhat compromised as velocity is around 1800fps. Perfect as a short range thumper though, which is what I built it for. Was hoping that 300gr. Barnes would work but accuracy is terrible. Thought they should work well in 14" twist barrel but not so. Just got a box of 350gr. Speers but haven't tried them out yet. Will post results.
 
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