6.5x55 swede ...... would this work?

[triggerman42]

I have an old RCBS , 6.5x55 FL sizing die that has seen better days. It came in a mixed box of reloading stuff.
The die leaves marks , (scratches) on the brass. It must have been used a lot on dirty brass , or just rusted, and pitted a bit. I tried to polish it smooth but it still scratches. Here's my question. If I polish the inside MUCH more aggressively , and remove a few thou. Could I use this for a neck sizing only die? Or should I just throw it away and be done with the aggravation? LOL

 

[stang]

Call RCBS and tell them, chances are they will replace it at no cost to you.

 

[Potashminer]

I cleaned one up by using a case smeared with JB polish. First I cut off the neck right back where it meets the shoulder so that it would not affect the inside neck of the die. Drilled out the primer pocket and tapped to 1/4 x 20 - screwed in a 4" bolt and spun it by hand, gently, with minimal forward pressure - I did not want to wear on the face of the shoulder. I'd be interested to hear otherwise to salvage a die that scratches cases.

 

[stubblejumper]

I had a die brought to me that was scratching brass. I discovered streaks of brass embedded onto the inside of the die, and once I used a bronze brush and a copper solvent to remove the brass, the issue disappeared.

 

[triggerman42]

I have other full length sizing dies , so , my intent was to open this one up , without touching the neck, to make a neck sizing die only.
A few thousandths would probably do the trick I thought. Not really concerned about what caused it to make scratches.

 

[mbogo3]

RCBS will replace it for free.

 

[bearhunter]

Sizing dies can be opened up but they need to be cut carerully. The metal is understandably a bit harder than mild steel. More along the lines of the steel used in barrel manufacture. If you have a lathe no problem. If you are planning on doing this with a hand drill or drill press be very careful. Consider how cheap a Lee neck sizing die is and consider how much trouble you will go through. Mind you saying that I use a cast off 6.5 Win Mag die as a neck sizing die for my 6.5x55.