Forming 6.5/303 Epps brass

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SIIaCanuck

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I'm building a 6.5/303 Epps and wondering what the best way of forming brass is. I can get a normal die set from RCBS but not a forming die.

Simplex do a forming die for 25/303 (2 die set) and 27/303 (1 die). I'm assuming these are the Australian versions that retain the 303 shoulder.

I take it that the first die in the 25/303 is likely to be the 27/303 and the second finishes the job. Is that right? Wildcatters please chip in any time, I'm new and only reloaded 303 and 30-06 before this project.

Would the 27/303 take the brass down far enough for me to simply neck size using the 6.5/303 die set and then fireform to get the shoulder? Or as 25 is 6.4, should I use the 25/303 forming dies and then size with the 6.5 dies.

Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

Stew
 
I have a .25-303 Epps (improved). I have a set of dies for the .25-303, but I have not needed a forming set of dies.
I full length size the .303 British brass first. Then I used a set of .257 Roberts dies to neck the case down, and fireformed with a full power load (lots of great practice shooting).
I have also skipped the .257 Roberts die and just used the .25-303 sizing die, and it has also worked.
If you wanted to, you could use something like a 7x57 die to neck from .303 to 7mm, before using your 6.5-303 die to neck size the rest of the way.
All of the above works well because the case is full length resized first, so you only have to work the neck, and makes sure it chambers.
 
6.5/303

Hi: It has been a while since I formed this brass. If I remember correctly, I just ran the 303 brass into the full length 6.5-303 sizing die to get the neck down to 6.5, careful not to wrinkel the brass, if you go too far. Also, this will only work with some manufactures brass die to brass crushing. I believe I could only use Winchester brass. The shoulder will fill the chamber on first firing. I use 6.5-06 reloading info.
 
pdg300 said:
Hi: It has been a while since I formed this brass. If I remember correctly, I just ran the 303 brass into the full length 6.5-303 sizing die to get the neck down to 6.5, careful not to wrinkel the brass, if you go too far. Also, this will only work with some manufactures brass die to brass crushing. I believe I could only use Winchester brass. The shoulder will fill the chamber on first firing. I use 6.5-06 reloading info.
Click to expand...

I would not recommend that to anybody.
 
i have a 6.5- 303 and load for it. as for useing 6.5-06 loads, well,thats a bit much.
with a 140 sierra and ww 760 powder, it works pritty good. mine isnt the improved but my loads should still work as a starting point if you want. ive tried a few diff powders, and WW 760 seems to have worked about the best . the gun is a #4 enfield and i have a P14 in this caliber aswell, but havent got it finished yet.
as for forming, i used a 7x57 die as my midpoint sizer. to just run a 303 case into the 6.5 sizer wastes about 60% of the brass as it will crush the necks .
useing WW brass, i havent had to heat treat yet. i dont have dies, but use a 6.5x55 sweed seating die, and a hornady 6.5 universal neck sizer die. case capacity is very close to 6.5 x 55 and thats where i started with for loading data. its turned out very very well, and am very happy with it. i did want to try the improved round, but it wont feed very well out of the #4 mag, so stuck with the standard one. PM me if you want to know some load info
 
6.5-303 Epps Imp.

Mine is in a Martini-Henery action and has NOT shown any signs of excessive pressure ( started at the low end).
 
Thanks guys. I just got my variation done on my Firearm Certificate (staying legal is the biggest pain going back and forth between Canada and the UK) so I'll be getting my Lithgow over to start soon.

Stew
 
That size step should be OK without an extra set of dies. You definitley want to anneal the necks prior to sizing as this step gets the most stress. This step will also soften the brass so you won't get the wrinkles and fire forming will be more complete. Do anneal! The ones who don't anneal are losing out on extending the life of their brass. Imperial Sizing die Wax is the best in my estimation and is available at most comeptent relaoding shops. Good luck, Dave
 
With my 6.5'303 I used a 6.5 Hornady Neck die, neck turned , then fireformed.
I never did get around to getting a set of dies built , but that was the next step for me.
I always just used the neck die and fireformed cases.
Cat
 
While I recommended annealing after sizing down, I have to admit that I made hundreds of .25-303 Improved cases without ever once annealing.
 
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