Work flow sequence for Wilson Die reloading

[Migs]

Friends:

I've reloaded a lot on automatic presses, but I need some help. Now I have the Wilson dies, trimmer and the arbor press from Sinclair. (I reload .308)

Reading through the handout that came with each die (micrometer neck sizing and seating) I kind of figured out how each works, installed the bushing in the neck die, and assembled a couple bullets less powder, and dimension-wise the bullets look good. (So I sort of have the base sequence figured out.)

The dies came with a couple bases into which the dies fit. The taller base has two sides (of which I don't know what the funnel side is for.) The decaping pin is a bit tight per instructions, so how exactly do you use it? When and how do you use the other shorter base?

The plastic trimmer base (black plastic) has some circular places in the back that seem like places to park the dies (when you're not using them) so why doesn't the neck die fit in one of them? (Nor do the die bases)

I also have a die that is like a shell plate case holder - when do you use it?

At which point do you clean (I use that Never Dull polish wool) the brass? Before or after decaping? (Does Wilson have a little explanatory reloading sequence?)

So far after I have been using a small screwdriver to pry the case out of the dies - but I know this must NOT be the right way. I want to learn the right way before i scratch these fine looking tools.

I even read somewhere that in the decaping process you put the case in the die and first put it into the press up-side-down (how's that work?)

So as you can tell, I don't quite have the right work flow for these apparently wonderful dies.

Aside from answering the above questions, has someone written a kind of sequence on how to use them from start to finish?

I don't need to remind you that I am quite grateful for your comments. -Migs

 

[lngrng]

Okay................
With the neck sizing die, you place it in the tall base with the base of the case up. When the ram pushes the case into the die, this sizes the neck. You then turn the die over in the base, and the ram now pushes the primer out and also pushes the case out of the die.

The short die base is for the seating die. It is used so the primered case cannot bottom out on a kernal of loose powder and ignite the primer.

I am not familiar with the plastic trimmer base that you refer to.

As for cleaning the brass, you want to clean it prior to using the die...................since these dies are not hardened (only the bushing is) you don't want to scratch the die by introducing dirt into it, nor do you want the neck to be scratched by dirt when it enters the bushing.

The reason you have to use a small screwdriver to pry the case out of the die is because the fit is so close that the air trapped inside forms a vaccuum. This is typical of hand dies.

I hope I have answered your questions in a fashion that you can understand. Don't hesitate to ask for further clarification.

Mark Van Beek

 

[Tim Oltersdorf]

Dies, dies everywhere and no instructions!

Dear Migs,
You have two dies. The shorter is a neck sizing only die which contains a bushing. It has the decaping pin. The longer die is the bullet seating die and has an adjustable micrometer top. The tall base goes with the short neck sizing die and the short base goes with the tall bullet seating die. The conical portion of the tall base goes down and has no reloading function except to hold the spent primers after they drop into it. Here is the reloading sequence:
1 Brush the inside of the neck with a 30 cal brush. Just a couple of twists is good. Polish the neck and outside of the case with never dull and wipe off. Lube the outside of the neck with almost any lube you have.
2 Push the case into the neck sizing die as far as it will go. You don't have to use a lot of force.
3 Turn the neck sizing die containing the case upside down and place it on the tall base. Push the case the rest of the way into the die with the press until it bottoms out and is into the die as far as it will go.
4 Turn the neck sizing die containing the case right side up and place it onto the base. Push down on the decapping pin with the arbor press. This pops out the spent primer into the conical bottom of the base and pushes the case out of the die so a screwdriver is not needed.
With your case trimmer there are shell holders which you need for a .308. Some calibers require both a new and a fired case holder. Some don't. I am not sure about the .308.
The short base is used under the bullet seating die. The part with the raised outer ridge goes up and the bottom of the bullet seating die fits into it. There is a hole in the middle so a high primer doesn't go off. It is a safety feature.
Remember that this is a neck sizing die only and if your brass gets tight either in the chamber or the bullet seating die you need to full length resize it. I hope this is of some help. Good luck on your forte into precision reloading. Tim

 

[alinwa]

Ingrng has given you solid advice. This is how the dies are designed to be used.


Another way, much favored back in the heyday and included for historical interest purposes only.

Getch'erself a small nylon or rawhide hammer.

Now, holding the sizing die in your hand you tap the case into the sizing die until it's flush, turn it over and tap it back out pushing the primer out same time into a coffee can. (Or the little garbage can that's setting by your chair.)

WARNING!!!

DO NOT use this process for decapping into the palm of your hand! At least one person on this shooting board has busted a live primer into his hand. The sequence of events is as follows:

--You build habits.

--BECAUSE you've built habits you tend to perhaps relax and maybe even visit with your neighbor while reloading......

--You forget the powder,say........ or maybe you just forgot and ran a case thru twice....

--You bash the anvil of the loaded primer with your decapping pin and BLAMM!! You've got a primer cup imbedded in your palm!



BE CAREFUL!! Especially if you try this sizing/decapping method.

It requires some dexterity to both catch the case AND keep your hand clear of the possibly dangerous primer.....but it's a lot cleaner than the other way and it appreciably shortens the loading cycle. I actually decap onto a smooth cotton cloth about the size of a washcloth and shake the residue into the basket each time. You hold the cloth like you're doing a magic trick, you tuck the die in as though you were tucking a disappearing hanky.... this will make sense once you try it

Sooner or later you'll hear about this way anyway.....and I still do it this way. I also wear my safety glasses while reloading. ALWAYS.


BTW, don't be afraid of the progressive press, it'll reload truly straight ammo given proper dies.


al

 

[Migs]

This information is great. I'ts 7:30 and I have to go off to work, but at lunch I have a couple hours to sit down and load a few with a printout of this thread. You all are great. If I write something up (think summary), I'll post it.

As for the "The plastic trimmer base (black plastic) has some circular places in the back that seem like places to park the dies (when you're not using them) so why doesn't the neck die fit in one of them? (Nor do the die bases)"

This is the Sinclair trimmer that screws onto a black plastic base and on one side has a white mallet pad and on the other (back side behind trimmer) has the recess holes I mention.

One more thing: I have the neck bushing in the die but it leaves a slightly scratched neck, though the size is just right (finished case neck diameter). Is this OK?

Thanks again amigos! -Migs

 

[Al Nyhus]

One more thing: I have the neck bushing in the die but it leaves a slightly scratched neck, though the size is just right (finished case neck diameter). Is this OK?

Migs: the necks should not have any scratches. Try cleaning the necks with some 0000 steel wool and wipe a thin film of Imperial (or some sort of lube) around the neck before sending it into the neck sizer.

Inspect the bushing carefully to make sure there isn't a build up of brass from the scratched necks. If so, clean it out with some JB on a patch wrapped around a brush and some solvent.

Hope this helps. Good shootin'. -Al

 

[donjfred]

Trimmer base

Sounds like the holes in the black trimmer base are to store case holders for different calibers to be trimmed. Not for seating or sizing dies.

 

[Dave Short]

The trimmer base you mention may actually be black anodized aluminum. If it's the one I'm thinking of, the holes are just there for cosmetics....they're not intended to be storage spaces.

-Dave-

 

[donjfred]

Attached pic of my Sinclair Trimmer. I guess I'll have to find another place to store my case holders.

 

[Migs]

Hi donjfred. Yup, the trimmer base is the same one I was talking about. Thanks for posting the picture.

As for the neck sizing, I don't have Imperial but I probably have something similar. Just a light touch of lubrication.

Thanks again!

Migs

 

[Migs]

Reloading Work Flow with Wilson Dies

This is the sequence I just made based on your valuable comments. Please read it and make corrections: -Migs

Reloading Work Flow with Wilson Dies
Version: 9.24.2008
By: Miguel Reznicek, Don Frederick, Dave Short, Al Nyhus, alinwa,
Tim Oltersdorf, Mark van Beek of Benchrest.com

You have two dies:

Neck Sizing: The shorter die is a neck sizing only die which contains a bushing. It has the decaping pin. The tall base goes with this short neck sizing die. The conical portion of the tall base goes down and has no reloading function except to hold the spent primers after they drop into it.

Bullet Seating Die: The longer die is the bullet seating die and has an adjustable micrometer top. The short base goes with this tall bullet seating die. The part with the raised outer ridge goes up and the bottom of the bullet seating die fits into it. There is a hole in the middle so a high primer doesn't go off. It is a safety feature.

You may also have a Wilson case trimmer with the case holders for your caliber. (Some calibers require both a new and a fired case holder, and some don't.)

If you’re really lucky you also have an arbor press, but if you don’t a plastic mallet can suffice.

Here is the reloading sequence and it assumes you have already installed the neck busing into the neck die and have set the bullet seating micrometer top to the right height:

1 Brush the inside of the neck with an appropriate caliber brush. Just a couple of twists is good. Polish the neck and outside of the case with Never Dull and wipe off. Lube the outside of the neck with almost any lube you have. (like Imperial)
2 Push the case into the neck sizing die as far as it will go. You don't have to use a lot of force.
3 Turn the neck sizing die containing the case upside down and place it on the tall base. Push the case the rest of the way into the die with the press until it bottoms out and is into the die as far as it will go.
4 Turn the neck sizing die containing the case right side up and place it onto the base. Push down on the decaping pin with the arbor press. This pops out the spent primer into the conical bottom of the base and pushes the case out of the die so a screwdriver is not needed.
Remember that this is a neck sizing die only and if your brass gets tight either in the chamber or the bullet seating die you need to full length resize it.
5 Insert the case into the holder for the case trimmer and trim. The case usually only fits into the holder part way, and from one side so look for the stripe along the case holder rim to keep the right orientation.
6 If you chamfer the inner and outer edges of the case mouth, now is the time to do it.
7 Clean the primer pocket and see that the flash hole is uniform.
8 Prime the case.
9 Charge the case with a carefully weighed amount of gunpowder.
10 Set the jacketed bullet on the case and slide these up into the bullet seating die. It is better not to remove the seating die’s head and stem and insert the bullet from above, as in time the stem will scratch.
11 Place the die on the short base and seat the bullet with the arbor press.

 

[adamsgt]

Sounds like the holes in the black trimmer base are to store case holders for different calibers to be trimmed. Not for seating or sizing dies.

Yep, I have that base and that is what the holes are for, storing case holders. Course you can put anything in them that will fit.