Setting up 338 RUM dies for Edge

[Savage Lover]

So I am looking for some first hand experience of people that are actually doing this not hear say and magazine reading.
I've heard people say they "back them off" OK, but how much and how can you tell how much you need to? Has there been any hiccups along the way?

Guess I just want a step by step process of setting up my dies and not wanting to spend $200 for dies because they are 0.10" longer.

How have your accuracy results been. I'm using a Target Action for my build and a 30" Brux barrel.

Thanks for any help :)

[geargrinder]

I set my headspace so that it was just snug on a piece of fired 300RUM brass.

Then I set my die so that it bumped the shoulder back a little bit. Just a couple thou.

That's it.

[ctrout]

How has the web of the case been holding up? I have only resized 3 fired cases with my RUM dies and I'm not crazy about the way the last .1" of the case looks. I may spring for the custom sizing die.

[geargrinder]

So far so good, but I don't do a lot of volume shooting with my larger caliber rifles. It's going to be a long time before I get several firings on a single piece of brass.

[yorketransport]

Couldn't you just give Lee a call and have them make you a set of Collet dies? Send them 2 fired cases, 2 sample bullets and $60 and they'll make you a set of custom dies.

Andrew

[geargrinder]

That would be a good choice if you only needed to neck size. You'd still need to figure out something to FL size.

[yorketransport]

How about a 375 RUM die with the expander removed for full lenght sizing?

Andrew

[Savage Lover]

Now that sounds like the ticket (375 RUM die) ;D But you still need something initially to open up the neck to .338 and use an expander ball once. Shawn Carlock recommends using the expander ball the very first time then never again.

[358Hammer]

I just started my second batch of 50 (nosler) cases today.

I started and am still using the original 338 RUM dies. I have never touched the shoulder in any way.
Jim See chambered my first Edge for me and I already had the first fifty cases sitting here when the gun returned. I have a very old dirty case lube pad. Since it is dirty I made sure that I had a lot to much dirty lube on the neck. Using a Q-tip and fresh lube inside, I ran the case up inside the die the first time watching the squeegee effect of the neck sizer pushing the oil down the neck of the case.

I stop when the oil ring hits the neck shoulder transition area. I have shot this a lot without any problems. The cases start brand new at .545 in the pressure cup area. They are currently staying at .548.

I do not expect to ever see a problem. Normally I would not have shot something like this very much. Something about this kind of power with incredible accuracy causes me to shoot this way more than I intended.

Neal

[Savage Lover]

Hey 358Hammer, are you saying you are only neck sizing? Did you open up the 300 brass with just a bunch of lube and the 338 RUM FL die?
Thanks

[358Hammer]

Hey 358Hammer, are you saying you are only neck sizing? Did you open up the 300 brass with just a bunch of lube and the 338 RUM FL die?

Pretty much yes! AFter I fire the first time forming the cases to the chamber its a full length size. Just being careful not to crush the shoulder down in the shorter 338 RUM sizing die.

300 RUM case 2.850 vs 338 RUM case 2.760

Neal

[Pharmboy]

I use either 300 rum brass or 375 rum brass. I punch out the primers with a Redding Decapping Die. I will full length resize with a Full Length 375 RUM Die with the expander removed if needed. I will neck size with a 338 RUM Die (backed off a bit) so the die will not knock the primer out. Then I use the 338 RUM Seater Die to seat at desired C.O.A.L.

Pharmboy

[pd721el]

If you are using Redding dies, to neck up 300 RUM brass. I would highly recommend you get the tapered expander and replace the one that comes with the 338 Rum die. They are About $14.00 and in my mind a must have.

[oto]

I use hornady dies, the expander has a nice taper to it. just did a hundred with no problems.

[~Ace~]

I bumped my shoulder back till when I set HS with the case, a Factory .300 RUM will not allow the bolt to close. So a few thousandths more than Normal. This prevents a .30 cal projectile from accidentally going down my match barrel :) I locked the ring on the FL Die (Hornady) in that position and use it to size all new brass. Since all brass has to be "made" for the caliber anyway... I made mine a lil tighter. Water Volume change was negligible... BUT became more consistent between the cases ;D

[mopar440]

I found this on sinclair site under 338rum dies 338/300 rum S neck sizer with competions seater $165.95

http://www.sinclairintl.com/product/7318/338-Rem-Ultra-Mag-Reloading-Dies

I have lee dies write know havent got my barrel yet though

[wwbrown]

I am doing the brass on my edge slightly differently. I bought redding (non-bushing) FL dies in 338 RUM and sent them off to JLC to have them converted to bushing style dies and open them up enough so that I could neck down 375 RUM in 2 steps. After that I pass them through a K&M neck expander and then clean the necks up enough so that the turner has touched the entire neck.

I had JLC convert a Redding 6.5 x 55 AI die to use type s bushings, the factory type s dies was very expensive and long lead, and his work was great so I passed on the 300 RUM dies to convert for me.

I will be shooting the Edge in a few weeks, right now I am busy with F-class comps every weekend.

My 2 cents,

wade