My 50 Alaskan barrel for my Encore should be here in the next few days. I called Huntington's, but they told me that the dies were backordered and it would be a couple of months before the dies come in. Has anyone used RCBS directly, or is this the same as what Huntington's does? What about 4D? Any help would be appreciated.
It's hell having a new toy and can't play!!
Thanks,
Todd

Call WWG
www.wildwestguns.com
I dont know there number, but I coulda swore they had 50alaskan dies on the shelf for about $50. Its been awhile since I been in there but I couldnt belive my eyes at the price. I didnt ask but they were packeage the same as LEE dies (red container).

Go to: http://www.CH4D.com./ch4d/Catalog/Page21b.htm They have the 50 AK dies at a most reasonable price ($84) and you won't find a better made die anywhere at any price.

I use the RCBS dies for loading my 50 AK only because they came with the barrel when I bought it. I have had trouble with the RCBS dies not sizing the brass enough to hold the bullet because of the thinness of the Winchester 348 brass. I have to size first with the RCBS 50 AK die, and if it is too lose then size it again using a Lyman 50-90 cowboy die set (the 50-90 shoots a bullet slightly smaller than the .510 bullet the 50 AK shoots, so the die sizes the brass about .005" more). I sent the AK die back to RCBS and they re-heat treated the die to make it smaller, but it did not do any good. RCBS said the only solution was a custom cut die at $125; I don't think so and the 50-90 die solved the problem at about $20. If using factory formed Starline brass you most likely won't run into the problem I had with the Winny brass.

[This message has been edited by Big Bore (edited 01-13-2002).]

I had the same problem with my 50 Alaskan. The dies came later. In the meantime I had an old 44 mag size die that I had a machinest run out to a large enough diameter for me to neck size the cases so to speak. Worked good till the dies came in. If you have an old die try it.

I bought a set of RCBS 50 Alaskan dies two years back from Wild West Guns for something like $169 + S/H. No deal but at least they had them. They were the only ones that had them on the shelf at that time. SSK (JD Jones) and Harry McGowen usually stock them as well.
Good luck - Jeff P

Just stopped by Wild West Guns today. They have the RCBS 50 Alaskan for $169.00 and the LEE dies for $49.00.

Erik

Erik,
Were these Lee dies in 50 Alaskan??? ...Custom or standard production? I will check the Lee site in a minute. Interesting! JP