Question about Forster Benchrest FL sizing die

[SDW]

Hello all,

So I'm trying my new Forster Benchrest FL sizing die for the first time, on some once-fired Federal brass. I adjusted the die per the mfr instructions. Doesn't seem to be making brass small enough though. Is there some trick to the adjustments I'm not aware of?

The pics below show comparison between a Forster-sized case and a Lee-sized case, dropped into my Sheridan case gauge. The Lee one drips in perfect. The Forster only goes in part way, then becomes quite stuck. Ideas?

IMG_2426.JPG IMG_2427.JPG

[Dt219]

[SDW]

Thanks. Thing is, I tried screwing it down a little extra already. Forster instructions say to screw it down to the shell holder, then "turn it another 1/8 t to 1/4 turn to remove all play..." This is how I set it up originally. Fit in the gauge was really bad. So I gave the die 1/2 a turn (over from touching) and locked it down again. It's better but still far from acceptable.

FYI, this is the first non-Lee die I've tried using. I've never had a problem with my Lees, but many people here say they over-work the brass. So I thought I would try a 'good' brand of die. This has me puzzled.

[VASCAR2]

[SDW]

Ah yes VASCAR2. I did not. That might be the issue! As said, this is my first time trying this new brand. I am using the Lee shell holder that came with my Pacesetter Grendel dies. Hadn't occurred to me, obviously, that all shell holders might not have the same dimensions. If the Lee shell holder is too tall (above where it grabs the rim), then that could explain this.

And the press I'm using is a Lee turret press, w/o the rotation axle. So I'm using as a single-stage press today. With this press there is a slight mount of vertical play in the turret. So use the uppermost limit of that movement as the baseline for doing the 1/4 turn over, 1/2 turn over stuff.

I guess I better go shopping for a Forster shell holder. Assuming they make one that will fit my lee presses. If not, I might need to rethink this Forster plan and spend extra money.

[Dt219]

[SDW]

Yep, Dt, I looked at Forster's site. They do not.

The instructions don't say anything about needing to use any specific shell holder though. And in reading through it again, it says when sizing to bring the case up until the die touches the shell holder. I did bring it up until I felt the familiar (with a Lee die) sort of "bottoming out" of the press handle. But I can't say for sure if the shell holder had actually touched the die. Maybe I goofed and stopped short? It's funny. I have loaded a few thousand bottleneck cases of various calibers over the years and haven't ever wondered if I'd 'pressed' them enough.

Back to the laboratory to try it again, just to make sure. I will report my results, however embarrassing they might be.

[SDW]

Nope. Darn it. I did run the two cases I'd Forster-sized before, all the way up to the shell holder touching the die. The case still sits proud by a bit in the gauge. I should probably write to Forster at this point, ask them what they think I should do. In the mean time, I guess I'm going to finish out this small (30 cases?) sizing job with my Lee.

Shaving down the shell holder might be the way to go. I don't exactly have the right equipment for that kind of task though.

A new one-liner I just came up with: "Forster?? She practically begged me! BADA-BOOM!"

[wcrowder]

I am using the same Forester die in a Redding T-7 press with Redding shell holders without issues.

This is the exact model I ordered.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010946147?pid=187814

[Klem]

And in reading through it again, it says when sizing to bring the case up until the die touches the shell holder. .

SD,

Just to be sure, hopefully you don't have a case in the holder when you are doing this?

Out of interest what brand is your barrel? That spent case looks expanded in the Sheridan rifle gauge.

[Kosh65]

[SDW]

^^^ Thanks wcrowder. That's the same die I have. I'm actually more interested in the Redding shell holder you're using though. Is it their #12? I think those are all universal fit. So it should fit on a Lee press.

[Popeye212]

I have been using Redding shell holders with my Forster dies.

[Mad Charlie]

Get a FLAT, medium grit whetstone and go to town, using oil.
I also sent you a PM.

[jasper2408]

I used to use the same exact turret, shellholder, and die as you are using. Still have it.

When you are touching the die to the shellholder are you getting all of the slack out of the turret when you set it up? I mean you have to push the ram up until all of the slack from the turret raising up completely stops you from raising the ram anymore when you are adjusting it. My press has a hard stop on the joint where the handle meets the ram so you have to adjust the slack out before it hits that hard stop. The turret moves quite a bit upward when you are resizing so you have to adjust the die with that slack totally taken out.

You might try taking out the whole expander part (unscrew the large part that screws in the die and not just the expander one so that it all comes out at once) so that it won't crush the shoulder. This way you are only using the die and nothing else. It still might be the die but trying this might help you determine if it is the die or not.

Also what are you using to lubricate the case with? Not enough lube can make it hard to resize but too much can dent the shoulders.