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  #1  
Old 07-27-2014, 08:23 PM
southernman southernman is offline
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Default .17 fireball from .221 brass.

I have just got a .17 fireball, last night had my first attempt to resize .221 brass to .17 fireball, First four = crushed and collapsed shoulders, Gave up,
I tried running threw the .17 fireball seating die and its too big a step, I assume, imperial wax for lube,
I did think about getting a 20 vartag die, but man they expensive.
What die/ tooling should I get? does anyone have any tricks,
The only .20 dies I have are .204 ruger.
Thanks.
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  #2  
Old 07-27-2014, 09:28 PM
Dogdstr204 Dogdstr204 is offline
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Default 17fb from 221fb

I use the Redding form die,not cheap but does the job.Bobby
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  #3  
Old 07-27-2014, 10:34 PM
Gabe221 Gabe221 is offline
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Remove expand ball, run through die? May need form die.
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  #4  
Old 07-28-2014, 09:51 AM
SDguy605 SDguy605 is offline
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Default Forming 17 FB

+1 on Redding form die. I ended up forming mine from Lapua 223 brass as OAL came up shorter than I desired when forming .221 FB brass. Lost .03" on OAL if I recall correctly. LONG drawn out process fit me for a winter project at the time.

May wish to start out with some factory ammo as factory brass may be hard to source for some time. I would start out w link below for ammo/brass for starters $47.00 for 50 factory 25 gr hp rounds.

http://www.selwayarmory.com/remingto...t-boxof50.aspx
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  #5  
Old 07-28-2014, 12:49 PM
dungheap dungheap is offline
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Bullberry makes a double ended die which will take a case neck from .22 to .20 caliber with one end and .20 caliber to .17 with the other. That and regular dies should be all you need in this case to do your forming
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  #6  
Old 07-28-2014, 02:47 PM
Dean2 Dean2 is offline
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If you have a neck or FL bushing die for your 17 FB, or 221 FB just buy a 20 caliber bushing and use it as an interim step, with Imperial wax. Getting one bushing die, a series of bushings and the right expander balls is a far cheaper solution than having to order forming dies. It also covers you for 221, 20 VT and 17 FB with one sizing die. With this set-up, you can even size 223 down to 221, 20 VT or 17 FB with excellent results.

I even use the 17 VT bushing die with the 20 cal insert as an interim step then through the Hornady FL HH die to make 17 HH brass out of 22 Hornet brass. I have never bought an actual forming die for any of the brass conversions I have done.
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  #7  
Old 07-28-2014, 04:31 PM
vlcakc vlcakc is offline
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Default Forming 17 FB

I use a Redding .17 FB body die as an interim step. It takes the neck down far enough that a full length or bushing die will finish the job and is relatively inexpensive. Mine came as part of a Redding 3-die set along with the bushing and seating dies. I was able to form and load cases without any extras. Vic

Last edited by vlcakc; 07-28-2014 at 04:47 PM.
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  #8  
Old 07-28-2014, 08:28 PM
southernman southernman is offline
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All sorted,
Fellow down the road has a .20 vartrg, borrowed a full length die and ran brass threw it, then no problem down to .17 fireball, from there.
My dies are redding std 3 die set, and don't have bushings, Think I might upgrade them at sum point, esp in the smaller calibers, that get a lot more use.
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  #9  
Old 07-29-2014, 04:15 PM
vlcakc vlcakc is offline
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Default .17 FB Dies

I have several sets of bushing dies and they work well. However, I really prefer to use a FL die that is a good fit for my chamber. I also use Lee collet dies to neck size in preference to the bushing dies. Unfortunately, Lee has never made a collet die in .17 FB, although there are workarounds that work. The bushing die may or may not prove to be an "upgrade" for you. Vic
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  #10  
Old 07-29-2014, 06:00 PM
clipperbill clipperbill is offline
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Default Don't use any lube on neck and shoulder area

Hi
Title says it all - NO LUBE on neck and shoulder area when sizing down.

Bill
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