220 russian down to 20cal

S

skeetlee

Active member
I have a project going on and I am having a little issue necking down my 220 Russian cases to 20cal. We are doing a 20 cal beggs. Gene hasn't done a 20cal version of the beggs thus the reason I am coming here for a little advice.
I am using a beggs fl bushing die, and necking down in steps. a small 22cal bushing then on down to a .226 20cal bushing. after doing soI am having an issue bumping the shoulder back on the case enough to get a case to chamber.
Im more than sure the reason I am having this issue is the excess brass that I have pushed down around the shoulder.
With a harrels bump gauge, I have to push the shoulder back .010 just to get the brass back into the chamber. Not a good thing!! I guess what I would like to know is this. Can I neck turn and clean all this mess up, or do I need a custom one piece non bushing FL sizing die made to neck down this brass?? How do you all neck down your 20cal stuff? I think we may need a new die, as the beggs die doesn't seem to be sizing the base either. Now that may be tied into the other issues with the neck and shoulder, but I have a feeling my reamer was made a little to tight in the base for the beggs die to work properly? I already have a click with just 2 case blow outs with pistol powder and no bullet.
So, do I neck turn or get a new die??? Any info would be great. thanks Men!! Lee
 
Beggs Reamer/Die

I jumped into the 220 Beggs pretty early and have no regrets---easiest round ever to make shoot.

I bought one of the early Pacific reamers and the Hornady FL Bushing die.

The earlier reamers were a bit tight in the web and mine produces slight bolt click, which I prefer to live with rather than change anything that shoots so well.

As Gene has pointed out, its pretty simple to open up the web area with some emery cloth on a split dowel. I haven't and probably won't do this as long as this barrel and throat are good. If its working, leave it alone.

Please keep us posted on how you solve the neck reduction and shoulder bump. I'd like to do a 20 Beggs barrel someday.

Have you talked to Dave Kiff about this ?

A. Weldy
 
I did call ptg today but dave was out. I didn't even get a print but the lady said it will be sent. lee
 
just curious as to why a 20 cal 220 russian? why not start with a 20ppc? all the geometries are perfect in a ppc case. the 22 versions and the 6mm/308 versions all are spot on with none of this heartache and are proven winners.
 
+1 for 20 PPC. I've built several and I only used the correct 20 cal bushing to neck size from 220 to 20 cal in the full length die with Imperial lube.
 
Lee,

I think your problem is the radius at the bottom of the neck bushing. It is .020, or so, that doesn't resize the neck. If you want to use that style of bushing, you have to have a die made to lower the bushing that much more. Doing that in a resize die takes out some of the shoulder, not so good for using it for resizing once you get your cases formed. Just take your reamer and run it into an old piece of 6mm barrel (I'm sure you have some of that), and then open the top up to take the bushing where you need it.

Jim
 
Lee,
Ink or smoke a prepped new case to verify where it contacts.
Pay particular attention at the neck/shoulder junction.
 
jlcprec said:
Lee,

I think your problem is the radius at the bottom of the neck bushing. It is .020, or so, that doesn't resize the neck. If you want to use that style of bushing, you have to have a die made to lower the bushing that much more. Doing that in a resize die takes out some of the shoulder, not so good for using it for resizing once you get your cases formed. Just take your reamer and run it into an old piece of 6mm barrel (I'm sure you have some of that), and then open the top up to take the bushing where you need it.

Jim
Click to expand...

+1
I would even go to the trouble of making my own final bushing using a center drill to get a clean edge at the shoulder neck junction. Just polish it enough to not shave brass.
 
When I was making carbide bushings, Gene Bukys suggested making a very very small radius. It allowed you to size your neck further down.
 
thank you butch. make since. ill report back after I remove some of the radius on one of these bushings. If I can.

jim thanks for the tip. I may be giving you a phone call. I will try your suggestion first. lee
 
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