- What causes belted magnum cases to not chamber after the second or
third firing?
This is caused when fired cases have expanded to the exact size of the
chamber and they don't get properly resized. A slight "bulge" forms just above the belt (at the pressure ring)
that never gets fully reduced by using conventional resizing dies. That is why I designed the Belted Magnum
Collet Resizing Die.
- A friend of mine says that his belted magnum handloads never get this case
"bulge" at the expansion ring. What is he doing different?
Most reloaders don't accurately record the number of times that
they reload each case. If they did, and if they measured the area "just above" the belt, they would
see that their cases are not getting resized enough in this area to insure reliable chambering.
Your friend just might be lucky. I suppose that this can happen .... but it is very rare. If the hardness
of his brass is incredibly perfect, and his particular chamber size is exactly the optimum dimensions,
and the stars and the moon all line up just right, things might work out pretty well. However,
sooner or later your friend will find his belted handloads will be impossible to chamber.
- I've heard some shooters say that they like to "feel" their handloads fit a little snug as they
chamber? Is this correct?"
No. Your handloads should chamber with absolutely NO resistance. You should not feel
the slightest resistance as your bolt closes. Your bolt closes with considerable camming force, and this pactice will
wear the lugs on your bolt. Belted magnum handloads are known for seriously galling bolt lugs, and this is the only reason for it.
Our Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die makes chambering much easier (and avoids this problem) by properly reducing case
diameter at the pressure ring.
- Why can't conventional full length resizing dies reduce the "bulge" on belted
magnum cases?
Belted cases prevent conventional resizing dies from
traveling far enough down the case. In order to reduce any given area of your case,
a resizing die needs to travel about .100" beyond contacting that area, just to reduce
the diameter by .001". Then the case is withdrawn and the brass "springs back"
slightly. Have you ever noticed the tension that is felt when you start to withdraw
a lubed case from a resizing die? You're feeling the brass "spring back". Small
base dies have the same problem with belted cases, except they can "shave" the cases and
they still get "spring back".
- How do you know if and when this "extra" case resizing Is required?
The "best" way to be sure is to insert your resized case into the top of our die, and see if your it will fit all the
way down to the belt. If they fit, then you're all set. However, if your cases have been reloaded two or three times - they
won't even come close to fitting. That's when you need the extra resizing that our die provides.
- I've heard that it is best to headspace on the shoulder and not on the belt.
Is that true?
Yes. Factory ammo is headspaced on the belt, but handloads
should always have the headspace set on the shoulder. Otherwise - when your cases
are fired, the case will be blown forward against the shoulder of your chamber. This will
stretch your brass and cause case head separations.
- How do you adjust a regular resizing die to headspace on the shoulder?
There are several methods to do this. I use a tool similar to the Stoney Point
Headspace measuring tool. It allows you to compare the headspace of your handloads to a "once fired" case. Then
you can use a Redding Competition Shellholder Set to adjust the depth of your resizing die more accurately for your rifle.
This way, you can select the very best shellholder height. That allows your resizing die to bump the case shoulder back no
more than .001" to .002". This special shellholder will bump the bottom of your die and give you the
exact (and consistent) headspace length. CAUTION - Don't try to use the same headspace as "factory" ammo,
or you'll find that your handloads will be too short . . . . and that will cause case head separation after a few firings.
- I've heard that it is better to neck size belted magnum calibers, and that it might help
my cases last longer. Is this true?
That is true when reloading most cases, but not entirely
true for belted magnums. When the expansion ring expands on belted cases,
they will usually fail to fit in your chamber after just 3 reloadings. You can neck size or
full length size, but you still need to reduce the expansion ring diameter with our collet resizing die. This
ensures a reliable fit in your chamber. Measure the area "just above" the belt on a factory
cartridge. Then observe how much it expands each time that your case is reloaded ....
you will be surprised.
- Does a "tight" belted magnum chamber have less problems with case expansion in
the web area of the case?
No. I have seen an equal number of case expansion problems with tight
chambers, average chambers, and oversized chambers. Remember: To reduce the
diameter on any tapered case, a resizing die has to travel quite a distance beyond contacting that area - and
the belt will limit the travel of any conventional resizing die.
- Is there one brand of brass that will last longer than other brands with belted
magnums?
I have noticed a great deal of difference in quality of
brass as far as uniform neck thickness, flash holes and case weight. However,
I have not found any particular brand that can reduce the case expansion that occurs just
above the belt.
- Which brand of conventional resizing dies do you like best for reloading belted
magnums?
I personally like the Redding full length bushing style
(Type S) dies. These dies do not require an expander button, and the necks
don't get worked as hard. You can also adjust the exact degree of bullet tension,
whenever you use thinner case necks or if you use moly. Unlike some other
brands, they seem to always give the "right" set back to the shoulder (about.002")
without going too far. You should verify that your headspace is set on the
shoulder and always use the same shell holder.
- Instead of removing the "bulge" with your collet resizing die, why not just buy
new cases?
Our Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die will pay for itself by increasing the number
of handloads per case - by as much as ten times. Quality belted cases are usually quite expensive, and some
shooters spend a lot of time prepairing their cases for top accuracy. You don't want to just throw them
away after they are perfectly weighed, trimmed, sorted and fireformed to your exact chamber.
- Doesn't your collet resizing die cause fireformed cases to lose their perfect fit?
No. You can full size (or) neck size your cases. Our collet die is an "extra step" that
insures that your belted cartridges will always chamber. You can now control the amount of resizing "just
above" the belt without affecting any other case dimension. It's sort of like using a bump die, only it works on
reducing just the pressure ring.
- How many handloads can you get from a single belted magnum case when
using your belted magnum collet resizing die?
That depends on variables such as; cartridge type,
chamber pressure, your loading procedure, quality of your brass. However, I
have reloaded HOT 300 Win. Magnum cases 20 times without getting signs of
case weakness.
- My case life is shortened by swollen primer pockets. What can you do
about this problem?
If your cases fit the chamber properly, you can be sure that prematurely
expanded primer pockets are a sign of too much chamber pressure. Primer pockets will loosen up
very gradually and this should not be a problem. You might try using a slower burning powder,
change your seating depth, or lighten up a little on your load. Remember that individual chamber and bore
sizes will vary - enough to produce significant pressure in some rifles.
- My belted cases always crack at the expansion ring after just 2 or 3 firings. What
causes this, and what can I do about it?
This is caused by headspace problems that can be
caused, or made worst by a combination of problems. Belted "factory cartridges"
are made to headspace on the belt. This causes the first firing to blow the case shoulder
forward - sometimes this can be quite a distance. This really stretches your brass.
Well .... that's bad enough, but if your handloads are not cleaned and 100% free
from any trace of case lubricant - your cases will stretch even more. Be sure to always
headspace your handloads on the shoulder.
- Can your collet resizing die be used to resize loaded cartridges?
Yes. I have done this many times, and there is obviously no more risk than when you reseat
a bullet in a loaded case. However, due to the fact that we have more trial lawyers than mosquitoes
in this country, I recommend pulling the bullet first, and then resize your case. Having a good deal of imagination,
I suppose that someone could get careless.
- Does your collet resizing die require a special resizing lubricant?
I strongly recommend using Imperial Sizing Die wax. It works far better than
any other resizing lubricant that I've ever tried. If you're not already using it for all your resizing, try it . . . .
you will like it. I've recommended it a jillion times, and I've never heard of anyone going back to using anything else.
- Does your collet resizing die need to be used after every firing?
No. Always avoid working the brass whenever possible.
The top of our die is used as a "quick check" chamber width gauge.
If a case fits in, all the way down to the belt, then it will fit in any chamber that
uses that same cartridge. You should get to know the exact size of "your"
chamber "just above" the belt, and resize your cartridges only when your cases reach
.512" or as needed for your particular rifle.
- Can the "bulge" on belted magnum cases expand beyond recovery for your die?
If you repeatedly fire belted cases without ever using our belted magnum collet resizing
die and if you have an extremely oversized chamber, it is possible - but not likely. I have reduced cases
that have swelled up as much as .009" oversize. That's a real whopper.
- Does your collet resizing die increase case length?
No. The only increase in case length comes from actual firing, or if you use a die with a neck
expander button. I try to use quality resizing dies that let you avoid using expander buttons.
- Is it possible to heat treat belted cases (just above the belt) to eliminate the case
"bulge" problem?
No. The exact hardness of your brass "just above" the belt is
critical to safety. If your brass gets too hard it can separate and put extreme
pressure on the face of your bolt. If your brass becomes too soft you may get a
case "bulge" after just one firing.
- Do you make different size dies and collets for resizing different cartridges?
No. We make only one size collet and one size die.
There is no need to buy extra collets or dies for resizing different calibers.
- How does your ONE collet resizing die work on so many different size belted
cartridges?
The area "just above" the belt is the same size on all
belted magnums (except the 224,240,378 and 460 Weatherby). Our collet die
only reduces the area "just above" the belt.
- Why is your collet resizing die so expensive?
Unlike conventional resizing dies, our collet resizing die
is made from D2 steel and it's hardened to Rockwell 56. This material is much more
expensive and very difficult to machine. Our Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die is
made on CNC equipment. Tolerances are kept very tight by machining some operations
"after" the hardening process. The collet is precision ground (inside and out) to a polished
finish and a special laser is used to cut the slots in the collet. This patented die is presently
custom made in much smaller quantities than any major die manufacturer would make.
- Why didn't the major die manufacturers come up with this "Belted Magnum
Collet Resizing Die" a long time ago?
Before I started working on the Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die, I
called major die manufacturers and asked for a solution to this resizing problem. I was told that the
high cost of R & D would be too expensive to pursue a solution that would only benifit shooters who reload
belted magnum calibers. Now that this is a patented (and well proven) product, I'm trying to get RCBS or
Hornady interested - but this technology won't be going out the door for free.
- Does the belt add strength to a belted magnum case?
No. Not even a little bit. If you look at a cutaway view
of a belted magnum case, you will see that the belt is around the solid area (the web) of the case.
If the belt was longer and extended above the web area, then it would add some strength.
- If the belt adds no strength to the case, why do maufacturers still use the belt on
magnum cartridges?
Marketing. The original belted magnum case design was so
successful, that manufacturers believed shooters would never accept any new magnum
caliber that didn't have a belted case. The belted case has always been recognized
as the sign of having true "Magnum" power.
- Where did the idea of the belted case come from, and what purpose does
it serve?
The belted cartridge was first used by Holland & Holland (H&H) on their
magnum cases to provide a positive forward stop for the extremely tapered shoulder on their cases.
These cases actually need to have a belt, because H&H cases have almost no shoulder and without a belt,
they would be pushed forward absorbing some of the firing pin strike.
- Your Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die was available for over a
year. How many of these dies have you sold so far?
We have already sold well over 1,400 of our Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Dies
to experienced shooters (including the U.S. Secret Service), long range shooters, and hunting guides around the world.
- With a "Five Star" product rating at MidwayUSA, why are your dies seldom in stock
anymore?
Our Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die is very expensive to manufacture, and
we're trying to at least make a little profit from this product. American manufacturing has become
extremely expensive. If it wasn't for govenrment projects, many American manufacturers would have already
gone broke. I spent 6 months trying to find a new manufacturer that could help keep our dies affordable without
cutting the quality.
- Why don't you get one of the conventional die manufacturers to make your dies for you?
I tried one of the very best die manufacturers in the US, and after 6 months they still couldn't
make an acceptable sample of our dies. Manufacturing our Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die requires some pretty
expensive equipment that is not normally used by die manufacturers.
- Why don't you have your dies made in China? That way your profit would allow you to
keep your dies in stock.
No way! Absolutely no way, because I like to know that my money supports American jobs - not
the government of Communist China. I believe that one of these days ALL Americans will understand that our government has exported
much of our national wealth to foriegn countries like this. I want no part in contributing to that.
- What do you think about the new unbelted magnum calibers?
Some of the new unbelted magnums look cool and shoot very well. However, these extremely
wide cases often have feeding problems, and they reduce your magazine capacity by one round. They also deliver a bit too much
thrust against the bolt. We're finding that it's fairly common for the unbelted magnums to experience case extraction
problems. That's because they're loaded to extremely high chamber pressures - just to perform like existing belted magnum
calibers.
Some of the new unbelted magnums will become popular, while others will disappear forever. If you already
own a good rifle in a belted magnum caliber, try our Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die. I think you'll enjoy reloading and
shooting a whole lot more, and you'll save a lot of money.
