I'm going to be finally reloading my 505 Gibbs...and I see the same problem area as the 416 Rigby brass...that short little shoulder that very easily crunches down ruining brass...416 isn't cheap brass, but not near what the Gibbs goes for.

Haven't been able to find a good die to spread the neck out like other brass for when using cast bullets.

Anyone have experience reloading these guys?

I use a set of RCBS dies and full length resize. Have never had any issues whatsoever. If you are using CH4D dies, I wish you all the best and hope they work.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I use a set of RCBS dies and full length resize. Have never had any issues whatsoever. If you are using CH4D dies, I wish you all the best and hope they work.

I did get a set of the RCBS dies...got a bag of 100 brass cases (Natchez had em' on sale...$190/100...cheaper than my 338 Lapua brass!) I just hate to crunch one of them.

Like I said, I set up the resizing die to contact the shellholder and have never had a crushed case.

Get a custom Lee Factory Crimp die... problem solved.

Sorry, I thought you were talking about applying the crimp.

Back off your resizing die if your crushing cases. Crushing cases is operator error. Try using a match to blacken the neck then you can see where your sizing to..A file trim die and a tapered crimp seating die are also nice on the 505 Gibbs..Don't use Bertram brass. Also use tender loving care in reloading those big cases, no slam bang reloading works well on any caliber...

Biggest thing IMHO, with all brass ,
especially Big Bore and thin-wall strait cases-
IS
annealing the necks

No longer own a 505 , but never had difficulties if the necks were annealed

need a tapered expander, set the resizer 1/8th turn from touch the shellholder, if that will allow the rounds to close on your rifle, and imperial sizing wax (or kiwi neutral boot polish, in a pinch)

A word of caution, I have a friend that bought Bertram for his 505 it is completely and utterly worthless!
Good hunting

I have the RCBS Safari grade 3 die set, at first I just FL sized, but discovered the FL die actually reduces the neck ID too much, on the order of .016"!!
It came with an expander die, this, used properly, will get the necks .002" smaller than bullet OD and puts a slight bell on the mouth.
Then seating and crimping is done in one motion, have never crumpled a case and the necks last a long time.
I have not annealed this brass (Norma) as yet and it's on it's fourth firing.

Cheers.

I use the Lee Universal Neck Expanding Die; works well for me. I hate crushing cases and so decided another process that I could measure visually was necessary. Read on another forum that one guy uses a dummy .50 caliber round, fits the bullet into the case mouth and gives a few taps with his hand!