Making Wildcat Dies

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ve6ntt

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Does anyone make their own wildcat resizing dies. It occured to me that the chamber reamer and headspace guage used to cut a wildcat chamber could also be used to cut a wildcat die? I've googled an googled but nothing found!

I have no plan.... just curious.....couldn't sleep:)

Don
 
I had one member try to buy a set of dies off me. A local guy I met at a Tim Hortons. Good thing we chatted. He was going to cut the sizer up to make a custom sizer out of it.
The lesson here is 2 fold. First to save money, don't buy a set to 'modify' one die. Secondly check around to see who might have a stray or a simple die body that can be modified by some of you 'extrodinary gentlemen'. Just my thoughts...it's still your dollar.
 
To make a proper sizing die, you need to use a sizing die reamer. This is, of course slightly smaller than the chambering reamer. The die will work much better is it is hardened. Case hardened mild steel works well. Seating dies are made with the chambering reamer. Making a sizing die is slightly more work then fitting and chambering a barrel. You have to really want it or the gunsmith has to be willing to work for McDonalds level wages to make it worthwhile. Regards, Bill
 
I made some "dies" in order to make some necked down cartridges. I converted some 25 and 32 calibre prohibited handguns to non-prohibited calibres and then registered them as non-restricted. I made a chambering reamer for the barrels and also used it for the dies. I used some drill rod and hardened it.

Img_2757.jpg


The dies were in no way equivalent to commercial dies but they did the job. I necked down the 25 ACP brass to take a 22 calibre bullet (right). For the 32 calibre conversion I used 22 Hornet brass since the rim was about the same diameter.

I have not shot these but a friend of mine who did the same for the 25 ACP has. I just wanted to get the guns into the Restricted class and are registered for collection.
 
Some of the die manufacturers will make a sizing die for a wildcat. If I remember correctly Forster requires the chamber reamer used. I am sure there are others too.
 
WildCat Dies

Yes, I have.

I used my chamber reamer to make a new 'sliding chamber sleeve' for a Forster Ultramicrometer seating die, to use with my 6.5-270WSM, and I have a die blank on the way to use for making a custom sizing die for my 25-08AI.

There are a couple of suppliers of die blanks, I got mine from Pacific Tool.
 
As Leeper said, the chambering reamer cannot make a proper FL sizing die. It can be used to make a body die of sorts. Remember that the chamber reamer will not/should not be able to size your necks.

Have a look at the RCBS and Redding websites. There are literally thousands of wildcats that have dies available. There is little you can think up that hasn't already been done.

For my stuff, I just pick out the appropriate items and make my own die set. Lee and Hornady will make custom dies for decent costs. The Lee will use the collet neck die. Hornady a bushing die.

Likely you can find something in the Redding body die collection to handle that chore.

Jerry
 
I make my own dies because I shoot mostly obsolete calibers. The die body does not have to be hard only a free machining steel so that it is easy to work with. Except for pistol shooters, most people are not going to load enough shells for wear on the die body to be a problem.

I make my own reamers as D bits or spade bits out of high carbon steel, usually drill rod although I have used the coil springs from rail cars and from truck springs. For the sizing die the neck area should be (I think) about .006" or so undersize to allow for springback of the brass and then of course the neck expander brings it back to .001" undersize. The seating die can be made with a chambering reamer or perhaps more easily use the spade bit for the sizing die then make a separate piloted reamer to open the neck and throat area up to accept the bullet.

I have used grade 8 or 9 bolts to save time on threading but feel that is false economy. You still have to turn the bolt head down and they tend to have hard pockets in them and be miserable to drill and ream.

cheers mooncoon
 
Hi

If you are in the business of chambering rifles, you wear out reamers. Once they are "to small" for chambering they can be made to work for making dies. A lot of custom 'smiths will make you a die set at the same time they do your rifle. They *do* charge for the service ....

Bob
 
Thanks Guys;

I know it makes more sense, time and cheaper, to just order the right one.

It just occured to me that "back in the day" wildcater's must have rolled their own along with guages and reamers. I've been known to make a few chips in my own shop so I like to know these things!

Gives me something to think about when I can't sleep:)

Thanks
Don
 
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