Case sizing dimensions

[Black River Smith]

I am looking for die dimensions for resizing cases.

I have books that list case/chamber dimensions.  I have books for case reforming/converting.  I have books discribing older reloading equipment.

But short of measuring all my new dies, does anyone know of a book that lists the measurements necessary for resizing brass, for the different calibers?  Even just neck sizing.

I am working on making functional but old styled reloading equipment for most or all of my CAS calibers.

Any help appreciated.

[Kinda Sudden]

This may not help but you could contact die manufacturers. In the past, they have given me the specs they use. I have been reloading for over 25 yrs and have never heard of a book devoted to die specs. The specs will also vary some by manufacturer. I do know that a lot of the manufacturers use specs established by Fred Huntington so maybe that would be a place to look. Some simple specs like neck sizing may be easy to work out just by looking at the SAAMI spec and allowing .002 tighter for brass spring back.

                                                                   Good luck
                                                                    K.S.

[Black River Smith]

Thanks for that number that is a good starting point.  That was one of the factors I needed to understand.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Hey!

Jerry, if I remember, Mr. Fred Huntington formed what is now RCBS.  If you call them, ask what their dimensions are for using Lead bullets.  As you probably know, RCBS (and others) make dies geared toward Cowboy shooters/loaders.  I don't know if the case resize dimensions are different in these dies, or if it's the the neck RE-size/expander "button" - but there IS a difference and it's due to the CAS use of lead projectiles.

[Kinda Sudden]

Jerry, if I remember, Mr. Fred Huntington formed what is now RCBS.

That he did back in 1943.

Our Cowboy dies are built to slightly different dimensions than our regular dies to allow optimum sizing, expanding, seating and crimping needed to load great lead bullet ammo. In keeping with the spirit of the game, Cowboy dies even look different. Instead of the satin steel finish on the other RCBS dies, Cowboy dies have a "case-hardened" look. Handsome brass lock rings complete the picture, and even the packaging reflects the Cowboy theme. New Cowboy moulds produce bullets that are profiled to give smooth feeding and follow the design of a century ago. Beveled crimping grooves set the proper cartridge length and improve consistency, and generous lube grooves hold enough lubricant even for black powder loads. Whether you're a serious cowboy competitor or just having fun, RCBS Cowboy products will load the ammo you need.

You can find contact information for Fred here: http://www.huntingtons.com/

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Kinda Sudden, you speak with authority!  Do you perchance work there? 

Thank you for the reply.  I knew there were differences in the Cowboy dies vs. the standard dies; I didn't know about the moulds.  I'm sure that the bullets produced from these moulds - since they have the "generous lube grooves," they should work well, since one of the most important things about successful BP bullets is if they haul enough lube!  You can't have too much lube for BP!  (  )

[Black River Smith]

Steel Horse,

Thanks for the suggestions about RCBS but I have good modern dies and presses (RCBS included).

I have Winchester and Ideal Tongs for 44-40, 38-40, 41 colt, 44Rus..  Older shotshell reloading tools also.

The idea is to make my own older styled reloading equip.  Like the hammer bullet swage I made or the 45-70-500 push on reloader I made or the Spencer 56-50 primer which with a brass/bronze bushing will also prime 38's (working on 44/45 bushing).

I want to make a 45PP bullet seater.  I want to make a 38LC seater crimper.  I want a 44Colt crimper.

I just don't want to have to make all the measurements to determine final diameters for crimps and taper crimps.

Been reading both Chamberlien - Old Time Reloader books again.

Bad habits.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Cool!