Which collet die for 7mm RM

[gamestalker]

I'm considering buying a collet die for 7mm RM and have been looking at the "Innovative Technology" collet die. I don't know anyone who uses it, so I haven't been able to get an opinion of how well it works. Anyone have this one, or know of a better one. But at about $100 for their collet die, I'm open to spending a little more, if it will extend brass life span for a few more rounds. They claim that even with hot loads their collet die will get you about 20 loads with belted cartridges.

I've been loading for 7 mag for just under 3 decades, and for the most part, I manage to get up to 12 loads from most head stamps by using a neck die, so I'm not having a problem, per say. In fact, the only real issue I'm having that's causing me to scrap brass that would other wise still have some life left in it, is web expansion. It always irks me when this happens, cause the brass will be in other wise good shape. And I'll admit, I do often run them rather warm, not excessively so, but I do get up into the max range, which sometimes results in the web getting pushed out sooner than I would like. Obviously conventional FL dies won't address this issue, so what say you?

GS

 

[jwrowland77]

See if Lee makes a Collet Die for the 7mm RM.

Everything I've read and researched, folks compare the Lee Collet die with the Redding in terms of reducing runout but at a fraction of the cost. I'm getting ready to order three of them, .223, .243 and .308. I'm sure if I can find the 7mm RM one, I'll grab it too.

 

[Walkalong]

In this case the "Innovative Technology" collet die squeezes the body to return it to a size that will chamber after multiple firings has made it difficult to chamber.

From their website:

Unlike non-belted cases, the belt prevents conventional full length dies from traveling far enough down the case. This limits the amount of resizing, and brass is plowed rearward. The brass builds up just above the belt at each reloading, and cases expand. Neck sizing dies don't bump the shoulder back or resize the tapered case wall. The best solution is to full length resize accurately, and use this collet die to reduce case width.

The only belted magnum I have is the .458 Win Mag, and so far I have not had any trouble with cases not fitting after sizing, although I am not neck sizing, but FL sizing with RCBS dies. I have three firings on the cases so far. Time will tell if they ever need any help. If they do, I may try the IT "Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die".

From their website:

"Finally a resizing die that works on belted magnum cases."

But so far so good with my RCBS FL sizer. And of course it is not bottle necked.

 

[gamestalker]

J77, does the Lee size all the way down to the belt, like the IT die does? Other wise it isn't going to address my concern. I'll another take a look at what Lee and others state about their collet dies, but I don't think they do the same exact thing, as in size all the way down to the belt, and adjustable as to how much the case gets squeezed down, apparently the IT die can accomplish this.

Thanks Walkalong and J77.

GS

 

[jwrowland77]

I don't believe it does. Sorry about that. My apologies sir

 

[jwrowland77]

What about a FL die without the expander button in it, then use the Lee collet neck die? Accomplish both steps with what you already have, and buying a Lee collet die for like $20.

Would that accomplish the same?

 

[gamestalker]

No, unfortunately even with the expander button removed, I'm still not going to be able to size completely down to the belt. And then I'm also back at square "A" of inducing premature incipient case head separation, which defeats my purpose. Believe me, I've tried just about everything I can think of, it seems I'm down to my last option to obtain a few more loads from my brass. But as I stated, most would laugh at me for trying to gain additional loads from brass that goes for 10+ warm loadings anyway when necking.

Those dog gone webs, they're my only hurdle in this quest for 20 loads from my belted cartridges.

My gun smith said he will customize a FL die to do a better job, thus reduce incipient separations, but that would mean I would have to buy multiple sizing dies, cause I load for multiple 7 mags..

GS

 

[jwrowland77]

Well dang. Was thinking out load. Lol.

What headstamp you use? I might have cases sitting around that I don't use that you can have if you want.

I use Winchester in all my 7mm loads. So anything else just sits around if you want/need it.

 

[gamestalker]

Wow, brass, really? I would be so grateful and appreciative. Winchester is just fine with me, I probably use more of it than any other head stamp. But i also use Fed, RP, PMC, Hornady, Frontier, just about any of them have been loaded to produce great accuracy with the right approach in my actions.

You Sir have made my day!
PM sent
GS

 

[jwrowland77]

Sounds good. I don't shoot my 7mm near as much as my .308. Mainly it's a safe queen until deer season rolls around. Then I pop a few deer with it, clean it up, and put it back until the next season. Lol

 

[jwrowland77]

I have a match tomorrow that's 4 hours away, so it probably won't get sent out until Monday or so.

 

[nastynatesfish]

I have a lee and actually stopped usuing it. I just use my RCA and have it aet to bump the shoulder. When I chambered my rifle I left it fairly tight. I have brass that I've got 20 loading a on in 2 different barrels and still shooting it. Now I do not run blazing speeds. I load for accurate. I run 64gr h4831 with a 140gr Berger at just about 3200Fps.

 

[gamestalker]

Ya, honestly, that's where my web problem comes into play, I do load fairly warm most of the time. Not what I would call "blazing hot", but I do like shooting to the potential that represents that of the 7mm RM. But in this regard, I don't have problems with getting sub moa from my loads and rifles at these upper load levels. I just have problems keeping the webs where they belong beyond 10 or so loadings. So I know, or at least I feel that I'll eventually find the solution if I try additional sizing options, it just seems very probably considering the circumstances.

But thanks to all, and J77, don't fret about the brass thing, I'm just happy to receive such a generous offer. There are a lot of really great folks on this forum, your an example of that.

GS

 

[jwrowland77]

I thought I had more. I only have about 75 FC pieces to send you. I might have some more in the brass I picked up last weekend. I know I saw some 7mm RM in there somewhere.

I look through it tomorrow after I get back home from my match and get everything sent out Monday.

The stuff from the range, I can't vouch how many times it's been fired. Looking at it, only once.

The 75 pieces, those have all been collected over the years from my rifle, and I can tell you, they're truly only had a factory load in it and that's it. Hopefully the 75 pieces will be able to help a bit.

 

[Bwana John]

I have been using the IT collet die for 375 H&H, I have two rifles of that same caliber that have very different chambers, so much so that if I shoot warm loads in the big chamber the brass after regular FL resizing still will not fit into the tight chamber.

The IT die has made it so that 98% of my brass can be chambered in both rifles after FL resizing and collet resizing.
It does require one extra step reloading but the brass working in both rifles is worth it for me.

I have only had two "problems" with reloads in almost 30 years of reloading, and both involved the 7mm RM, I now wonder if the collet die would have fixed those "problems"

 

[gamestalker]

Yep, those 7mm RM mags. can be bugger's to work with sometimes. I have several, so keeping the brass exclusively separate for each is absolutely necessary, no exceptions.

GS

 

[Orkan]

This is one of the many reasons I prefer non-belted cartridges of equal or better performance.

7LRM, is a prime example.

However, back when I ran 7RM and 300WM steadily, I used larry willis collet dies to deal with the belt issues. No complaints. Though I am steadfastly thankful that we have other cartridges to choose from today.

 

[gamestalker]

Orkan, you just had to mention the 7 LRM didn't ya. Dog gone it, that cartridge is my next dream .284 chambering. It's supposed to be the all out top .284 performer in just every respect. The builder I use has been filling my head with all kinds of good stuff about it, he was in fact in the midst of two 7LRM builds when I was over there last time. So I'm guessing that sooner than later I'll be eating top ramon so I can afford the economical build he has in mind for me, ya right.

GS

 

[Orkan]

Been spending a lot of time shooting 7LRM in DTA's. We've tested 4 different barrels so far, and ran about a dozen OCW's. Good stuff for sure.