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  #1  
Old 01-18-2020, 07:06 PM
mefizto mefizto is offline
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Default Dies for Wildcat Cartridges

Greetings all,

as I have been reading the different articles and topics on the forum, I realized that many of you shoot wildcat cartridges, e.g., 20 VarTarg, 20-222, 20 Tactical, and the like. That realization made me wonder about dies.

It is my understanding that some of them, e.g., 20 VarTarg have commercial dies available, but what about the others, e.g., 20-222?

Kindest regards,

M
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  #2  
Old 01-18-2020, 07:31 PM
B23 B23 is online now
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mefizto View Post
Greetings all,

as I have been reading the different articles and topics on the forum, I realized that many of you shoot wildcat cartridges, e.g., 20 VarTarg, 20-222, 20 Tactical, and the like. That realization made me wonder about dies.

It is my understanding that some of them, e.g., 20 VarTarg have commercial dies available, but what about the others, e.g., 20-222?

Kindest regards,

M
I use Redding 222 bushing die, with the appropriate size bushing, for my 20-222. Same goes for my 20-250, I use a Redding 22-250 bushing die. I like Redding Comp seater dies so I use a 222 and 22-250 Redding comp seater for my 20-222 and 20-250.
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  #3  
Old 01-18-2020, 07:45 PM
coyotespotter coyotespotter is offline
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My 20p, parent is the 223, so I decap with an under size expander in a full length 223 die, then a 223 neck bushing die(.225 bushing) can load than or run a mandrel (.201) thru to push out any donuts. Haven't seen an accuracy improvement with the mandrel step but bullet seating feels smoother with the LC brass I'm using. Ammo is for an AR.
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  #4  
Old 01-18-2020, 08:54 PM
dungheap dungheap is offline
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I use my .222 Remington, .20 Vartarg and .223 Remington (body) dies to load .20/222. Dies are available, but this old cheapskate gets by just fine with this technique. The rifle will shoot under a half inch, and I really can't ask for better.

Redding and CH4D are go-to sources for odd dies, if you want to pay the price.
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  #5  
Old 01-18-2020, 09:32 PM
Bill K Bill K is offline
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Custom dies can be obtained from Redding and Whidden, for two more sources.
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  #6  
Old 01-18-2020, 10:05 PM
flyrod flyrod is offline
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I make them. If you can make a wildcat barrel, you can make dies.
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  #7  
Old 01-18-2020, 10:17 PM
camel camel is offline
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Another using 222 Redding bushing neck die for my 20/222, mater of fact I use the same die to neck size for my 250 Myra, 222 and 17/222, when I had one. I seat with dies made by Simplex Australia for their Super Simplex presses. 222 Redding body die when needing F/L sizing.
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  #8  
Old 01-19-2020, 03:18 AM
mefizto mefizto is offline
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Greetings all,

thank you for the replies. I think that I understand the use of the bushing body dies.

However, looking at the cut-out of the bullet seating dies, they are made to the shoulder and neck SAAMI dimensions. Since the neck dimension is now different, I cannot understand how the regular seating dies can be used.

Kindest regards,

M
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  #9  
Old 01-19-2020, 04:21 AM
GLWenzl GLWenzl is offline
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I personally prefer hornady dies and one reason is for the seating die. I have purchased a 17 or 20 caliber seater die (long or short).

On my 20 BR I ordered in the replacement parts to convert the 22 BR seater die to 20 caliber.

Sometimes I have also purchase a smaller diameter decapping rod and pin(s) for smaller diameter flash holes.

Hornady also made me custom dies but their prices have increased significantly.

Also Redding and RCBS both are culling out the oddball dies they once made (such as the 17 Jet). I found a set of dies on gunbroker but for less money I can have custom dies built to fit my chamber size by sending 3-5 pieces of formed brass that have been shot in that chamber 5 times to ensure they are well formed.

You bring up a good question. In the wildcat business it can save you lots of money going with wildcats that are only different in neck diameter and using FL neck sizing dies.

The custom dies I’m getting ready to have built are $230 for a 2 die set and the FL die is a neck bushing die that comes with two neck bushings.
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  #10  
Old 01-19-2020, 05:17 AM
georgeld georgeld is offline
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IF you're careful and have an idea what you're doing.
And some metalurgy/tempering experience. you can make
a decent chamber reamer. what's called a D reamer.

RCBS made a set of .358RUM dies for my needs. Seems like the set was
$186 and two or three months wait.

These toys need to have some research and discussion before
you just jump into them if you never have before.
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Last edited by georgeld; 01-19-2020 at 05:23 AM. Reason: typos
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