Just bought a set of Redding Type S dies for my .264 Win Mag and wondering what bushing size I should try first? I have tons of brass and bullets, but no loaded rounds to measure. Any suggestions?

If you had bullets and case neck gauge you could calculate it or just go the gun shop and measure the OD of a new round for a start.

Reddings bushing range chart for your 264 win mag is .289"-.297" The maximum neck diameter is .298" of a loaded round. Most will never come close as this is the maximum. So to take a stab in the dark, a wild guess. Go with a .292" bushing. If you outside neck turning, go .290" Remember, just a guess.

Thanks for the advice. I will also see if I can get a measurement on some factory ammo.

Your reloading manual will have a cartridge diagram. The listed neck diameter will be a good starting place.

actually you need to figure in neck tension.
measure the thickness of your brass and the bullet diameter and think about it for a second.
two thicknesses of brass and 264
added together like .026 + 264 should make 290.
so for .002 tension 288, or however thick your brass is.

A measurement on factory brass may not be correct. The brass you have may have a different neck thickness.

Like Lamar said, you need to measure the neck thickness of your brass.

Do you have a ball micrometer


or a set of pin gauges




??

woods: I don't have either. I think it is time I pick up a ball micrometer. BTW, what is the difference between the full length Type S dies and the neck sizing Type S?

Thanks
Ian

The FL bushing die will FL size case and allow
you to size neck to your choice of diameters.
By using bushings.
The neck die allows you to size the neck to your
choice of diameters By using bushings but does not size the case.

quote:

Originally posted by IanD:
woods: I don't have either. I think it is time I pick up a ball micrometer. BTW, what is the difference between the full length Type S dies and the neck sizing Type S?

Thanks
Ian

Make sure and get a ball micrometer and not just a regular Vernier micrometer. Also the Hollands micrometer stand makes measuring with one of these a lot easier - one hand to turn the dial one to hold the case. Otherwise is is trying to hold and turn the vernier with the same hand.

I think Sinclair has some excellent tool for this also, but kinda pricey.

I am thinking of ordering one of these. Would it be a better choice than a micrometer?

Case neck gauge

Looks like a great tool, however pricey at $125.00 and $10.00 for each caliber. Also you wouldn't be able to measure other things. Sometimes as a check I will run my micrometer out and use it as the ultimate measure for a bullet width or outside case measurement. Micrometers are generally more precise than calipers and I use it as a check on my calipers from time to time.

However if you are measuring other things then a flat anvil rather than a ball anvil works better.

Long Island Indicators is a great source of information if you want to look around. Since I already have a stand, if I were to buy another micrometer, it would have a interchangeable anvil from flat to ball.

IanD,

Doing the same thing as you. I have a set of dies so I just seated 3 bullets in new Win brass and used my calipers to measure the outside neck dimension. 2 were .295 and one was .294. I think they recommed to order .003 smaller bushing, and maybe a couple withing a couple thousandths smaller/larger. I'll start with a .292 and .291 for my .264WM.

David

Edited to say: I sent one of the dummies with a $29 check to Lee for a custom Crimp die.

David,

Unfortunately I only have the Type S dies, so ended up ordering a ball micrometer.

Good investment. Now you can qualify your brass.