A while ago I remember reading someone's explanation about this, but couldn't find the post.

Now that I've been reloading for a while, it would probably make more sense; could someone outline it again?

Thanks,
Todd

BTW -- just picked up a very nice pre-37 VZ-24 action, hence the question!

Todd,

It can be done, but it's very much a poor mans workaround. If you full length with the sizing die It overdoes things. Then when you seat the bullet you get a reverse shoulder. You can set it out some, but then you are not sizing the entire case, which is a no-no for any DGR. For seating you simply set the die out and you can seat and crimp very nicely.

Personally, I would bite the bullet and get Lott dies. I have gone both ways and having the Lott dies is well worth it, even thought they are expensive.

I would order directly form RCBS and make two points clear. One, tell them you will be crimping. Mine came without the crimp shoulder! Also, if you are going to be seating any pointy bullets such as the X bullets or Swift, tell them to drill out (deeper) the seating plunger. They're okay for round noses but will flatten any pointed bullet. It's not really a big deal, but for the money you pay for these dies you might as well get it done right. BTW, RCBS asked me to send the dies back and they will correct both problems.

Steve

Todd,

The secret is to cut off the FL die at the proper height so that you do not make the neck too small. In effect you will then wind up with a cylindrical top section on the brass after running the ram against the base of the die. Norbert calls this a "ghost shoulder". I think Norbert is the one who knows the proper cutoff height. Right now I just partially size the brass. (As Steve points out that is a no-no for DG hunting.)

If I was going to order custom I would wait until I had several fired cases and knew which bullets I would use. Then I'd send 'em all in together for a set of custom dies that matched my chamber.

If you want to go the custom route you are stuck with the problem of how to make your first rounds! I think this is why the modified Win set is so popular.

Don

Don,
Explain to me what difference it makes which bullet he would use in the Lott...the die chamber is cut to the chamber specs...the throat is set by the magazine lenth in the case of the Lott with a set OAL....I can see that with the rifle chamber as you are setting the throat, but not in the dies as they only work on the case lenth???????

At any rate send RCBS three fired cases and they will make you a set of dies to fit your chamber....or just order a set of 458 Lott dies as they have worked with all my 458 Lotts that I have built...Clymer reamers are to RCBS specs in the Lott as are most of the others I believe.

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Thanks for the replies.

I agree Lott dies make the most sense. However, this would just be a temporary measure to allow me to shoot it! At my stage of the game, purchases are always incremental. Also, I already have 458 Win dies. Maybe I'll play around a bit with some 416 rem cases.

Best to all,
Todd

I loaded and fired at least a couple hundred rounds through my lott with RCBS 458 win mag dies with no ill effects. I even necked up the 416 rem mag cases. If you already have the dies, then go ahead and try it. You might also want to consider CH4D. After you get your gun, and fire some rounds, send them some fired cases, and keep using your 458 win mag dies till the new dies arrive.

BTW, I partial sized my cases, just used a .30" shim to set the die off the shell holder. My cases always extracted with ease. Perhaps the chamber was a bit generous. As far as the concern with a DGR and partial sizing, it seems to me one should always use fresh brass for hunting rounds, so that negates any issues.

[This message has been edited by Paul H (edited 11-27-2001).]