Forming 7x57mm brass, got a question

[MonkTx]

Hello all,

I lucked into a 1893 Chilean Mauser recently so I am on a quest to convert some of my horde of 270 brass into 7x57mm. I bought a Redding form & trim die and using a little Imperial wax I was soon squeezing out and trimming down 7x57.

The die came without instructions and Redding doesn't seem to have any on their website so I'm flying kind of blind here. I screwed the die down to the shell holder and tightened the lock ring. With the die set like that my bolt will not close on a case so I run it through a full length sizer till it just closes with slightly more pressure than on an empty chamber.

I guess my real question is this- Is the Redding form die supposed to be lowered like a regular sizing die until you get the brass to chamber or is it to get you most of the way there and finish with a regular sizing die?

Thanks,
Monte

 

[dartor]

Hello all,

I lucked into a 1893 Chilean Mauser recently so I am on a quest to convert some of my horde of 270 brass into 7x57mm. I bought a Redding form & trim die and using a little Imperial wax I was soon squeezing out and trimming down 7x57.

The die came without instructions and Redding doesn't seem to have any on their website so I'm flying kind of blind here. I screwed the die down to the shell holder and tightened the lock ring. With the die set like that my bolt will not close on a case so I run it through a full length sizer till it just closes with slightly more pressure than on an empty chamber.

I guess my real question is this- Is the Redding form die supposed to be lowered like a regular sizing die until you get the brass to chamber or is it to get you most of the way there and finish with a regular sizing die?

Thanks,
Monte

View attachment 1196763

I'm forming 22 Savage HP from 30-30 brass using the Redding forming die. My die did come with an instruction sheet. It says to use the forming die, then trim and deburr. Then resize with a full length sizing die. Hope this helps.

 

[MonkTx]

I'm forming 22 Savage HP from 30-30 brass using the Redding forming die. My die did come with an instruction sheet. It says to use the forming die, then trim and deburr. Then resize with a full length sizing die. Hope this helps.

That's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks, dartor!

 

[dartor]

That's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks, dartor!

It's what we're all here for, not a problem.

 

[cfullgraf]

I form cases for a few different cartridges and all require as a final step a run through the sizing die.

 

[cfullgraf]

It is interesting that the OP wants to reform 270 cases to 7x57.

There are lots of reasons for wanting to form cases regardless as supply availability. I have 221 Rem Fireball forming dies on the off chance original cases become unavailable.

I form 6.5x54 Kurz Mauser cases. There are several cases that can be the parent case but 7x57 Mauser works the best. I’ve always been able find 7x57 cases but it has been a while since I bought any.

7mm-08 is another good parent case but the final case starts a 2-3 mm short.

With the craziness going on with reloading components, I’d not be surprised that 7x57 is in short supply these days.

Just an observation.

 

[MonkTx]

It is interesting that the OP wants to reform 270 cases to 7x57.

There are lots of reasons for wanting to form cases regardless as supply availability. I have 221 Rem Fireball forming dies on the off chance original cases become unavailable.

I form 6.5x54 Kurz Mauser cases. There are several cases that can be the parent case but 7x57 Mauser works the best. I’ve always been able find 7x57 cases but it has been a while since I bought any.

7mm-08 is another good parent case but the final case starts a 2-3 mm short.

With the craziness going on with reloading components, I’d not be surprised that 7x57 is in short supply these days.

Just an observation.

I actually bought a bag of Prvi 7x57 last week when I ordered dies and bullets but I have so much 270 and 30-06 brass, it's the right decision for me to make my own. I just spent a month converting 500 7.5 Swiss berdan cases to boxer so I clearly have nothing better to do in my off time.

 

[cfullgraf]

I actually bought a bag of Prvi 7x57 last week when I ordered dies and bullets but I have so much 270 and 30-06 brass, it's the right decision for me to make my own. I just spent a month converting 500 7.5 Swiss berdan cases to boxer so I clearly have nothing better to do in my off time.

Like I said, there are lots of reasons to form cases that are limited supply.

For 30-06, you may want to get a bushing die so you can reduce the neck diameter in steps.

I use a bushing die to reduce 6,8 SPC down to 22 caliber in several steps.

Also, you may need to look at thinning the neck of reduced 30-06 cases. When reducing the neck diameter of a case, the brass has to go some where. The is usually a result of thicker case necks. Hence, the case necks require thinning.

Good luck with your project. I enjoy case forming but in relatively small doses. It is not difficult work but their can be lots of steps.

The upside is shooting cartridges most do not shoot.

I enjoy shooting my 6.5x54 Kurz Mauser but it does not use many rounds per shooting session.

I also shoot and form 7mm International Rimmed. Easy to form. Run the 30-30 cases through the sizing die. Load and fire form in the chamber of the gun. The fire forming rounds are good practice rounds.

Forming cased is easy but you hsve to know what steps are required.

 

[N555]

I have only ever used a FL sizing die toe form my brass. It appears they still need to be ran through the FL die.
I cut brass down, no need to size all that excess length then I anneal them dead soft after removing the additional length.