Reaming dies?

[elkslayer4x5]

I've been looking for a set of 280 Rem Ackley Improved dies and while there are some sets avaible I was wondering if its possible to use a chamber reamer to ream the dies as well as the chamber? Anyone had any experience with this sort of work? All feedback/information will be welcome.

 

[45lcshooter]

I'm sure it could be done. But in a sense you would be ruining dies. And you would have to find something the exact same size to ream the die.

 

[rcmodel]

Not possible to ream a finished .270 die as they are harder then woodpecker lips.

PTG makes unheat-treated die body blanks that can be reamed, then hardened afterward.
http://www.midwayusa.com/find?&newcategorydimensionid=12778

The other thing is, a die reamed with a chamber reamer would be too big to size cases for that chamber.

The die must be reamed slightly smaller to allow for brass spring-back after sizing.

Custom builders would either ream the chamber, then sharpen the reamer under chamber dimension just enough to ream the die with it.
Or have a set of two chamber & die reamers.

Clymer, Manson, and others make them.

rc

 

[elkslayer4x5]

Was actually thinking of reaming .280 Rem dies rather than .270 Win dies. But your post does awnser my question. Was thinking that if I where to ream my .280 Rem barrel to .280 AI, that I could use the reamer to ream the dies, but as you explained I need a differnt reamer to provide the brass room to spring back, Thanks, you've been a huge help! So my next question would be; Do reamer suppliers have differnt reamers for dies and chambers?

 

[rcmodel]

You did say .280 didn't you!!

But the caliber doesn't matter, you can't ream finished dies, for the reasons listed.

rc

 

[elkslayer4x5]

Thanks, makes sense, now that you've pointed out that the dies are hardened.

 

[ranger335v]

"...the dies are hardened."

Try running a file over a sizer, see what that does; a reamer would do the same thing.

 

[Patocazador]

Several die companies used to make a custom die for you if you sent a few fired cases with your order. I think Clymer still does it and perhaps Redding and RCBS still do.