Redding Dies & 338LM: A No-No????

Boomer686

Boomer686

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So I got the #80594 338LM Redding dies for my Dillon 550. The plan was to develop some loads using 250gr & 300gr SMK bullets. I set up the dies only to find that the seating plug is too short for my 250's! In order to get the recommended COAL of 3.550" the seating plug has to be screwed in so much that there are no threads left on top for the lock ring to secure it in place! I haven't tried the 300's yet but I'm guessing it will be the same as the COAL is not much different at 3.600"

I'm no expert reloader (~ 7 years ) but as far as I can tell the die is adjusted correctly: it's an all in one seating & crimp die if that makes any difference.

I called Redding and the tech guy told me "this is common and we are always chasing bullet lengths". I'm not sure I completely accept that explanation. I've never run into this before with any of my Dillon dies for the 5 other rifle calibers I load for and I have used many different bullet weights & styles from all kinds of manufacturers in each one of them.

I could understand if I was using some wild / unconventional bullet choice but I really don't think that quality 250 & 300 grain bullets made by a reputable manufacturer such as Sierra are an uncommon choice in the 338LM so I am, to say the least, disappointed that the Redding dies are not working out. The FL sizing die ( I have a lot of 1F brass from another rifle) is working A-Ok and I adjusted that as per the instructions as well.

Can anyone shed some light on this, please????

Are there other dies available with a more useable amount of travel?


Regards,
 
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Is anyone using these dies in a Dillon 550??

Also frustrating is that no where does Redding mention that the dies may not work for the end user, depending on bullet type.

I'll call again tomorrow to see what the story is on sending in bullets. If this is the case, does it mean that every time I want to try a new bullet I have to send for a custom plug ??? WTF is up with that??? So very very frustrating.

Regards,
 
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When I had my 550, I had to trim a little off the bottom of the 308 Win. Redding dies to get them to work correctly. They wouldn't go down far enough otherwise. The shoulder was not making contact in the competition seating die and it was not getting set back in the FL sizer.

If it is already screwed down all the way like Jerry is asking, you might have to trim a bit off of the bottom of the die to make it work in the 550. Try it in a friend's single stage press, and if it does go down far enough to seat your bullet, then trimming is needed for it to work in the 550.
 
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