300 RUM to 338 EDGE sizing

[lskok]

I have only been reloading since last year and this will be the first time to have to neck up brass. I have a new RCBS 338-300 FL Die Set and a bag of new Federal 300 RUM brass. Do I just set my sizing die the same as I always do for FL sizing and run the brass through? Or should I raise the die a bit and just expand the neck?

[geargrinder]

Run it like you normally would. All the way down.

If you don't, you may push a small bulge at the shoulder/case wall juncture.

[lskok]

Ok, I was getting set up to resize my brass and I ran into a problem. I have a Hornady Lock-n-Load AP and my RCBS 338-300 FL die won't seat down into the shell plate. The threads hit the opening on the shell plate. All my other dies, including the RCBS seater die, have some relief cut at the ends of the threads so it will clear down into the shell plate. Has anyone else had a this problem and does your FL RCBS die look like mine?

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/lskok/IMG_3122.jpg

[dcloco]

Find a friend with a lathe. Cut the end of the die.

[geargrinder]

Find a friend with a lathe. Cut the end of the die.


Better bring him a couple beers. The dies are heat treated and won't cut easy.

[nuclabuyer]

You could mill a little relief in the shell plate but I am not sure if they are heat treated or not. Or you could go get a cheap rockchucker press of ebay and do it single stage. If you need it even cheaper you could use a Lee Challenger press, they are about $50. I have a L-n-L auto press and I only use it for my pistol reloading.

[That1guy]

Cut the shell plate, or the die, or use a single stage.

Is that RUM die meant to go all the way to the bottom of the case ? Or does it stop short somewhere? (not 100% familiar with the magnums)

[geargrinder]

The RUM's are not belted, so the die needs to go all the way down like a 30-06 or 308.

[lskok]

I was hoping that RCBS was going to tell me that they would fix the die, but instead it looks like I have to buy a new press or find a lathe. Here was their response:

You cannot use the sizer die in that particular caliber in a Hornady press. Thanks for choosing RCBS and have a great holiday season!

Thank you,

Technical Services/ap
ATK/RCBS Operation
(800) 533-5000

[geargrinder]

Bummer.

Tell them you're going to return the dies.

Do it, then get a set of Lee 338RUM and an any brand gutted 375RUM FL die. That's what I use to load my Edge with.

The Lee FL die for expanding the neck and bumping the shoulder. The Lee die has a great tapered expander and the seater works very well. Use the gutted 375 die for FL sizing.

[319]

I guess I would be a little upset too, but when you look at it, there really isn't any thing wrong with the dies so they shouldn't have to "fix" them. RCBS die in a Hornady press seems to be the problem.