7-08ai sizing die options

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 11:44 am

I have been looking for a 7-08ai neck bushing die and have found that they are made from unobtainium. So to solve my problem I have an idea of using a .260ai neck bushing die which is available, and simply using the correct size bushing for the 7mm case.

Has anyone done a similar die swap and is it possible? I am thinking that the lip that the bushing sits on may prove an issue but if it is too tight it may be possible to hone it out a tad.

Any ideas?

BRETT B · Post by **BRETT B** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 12:37 pm

Norm , it all depends on the clearance inside the die where the bushing sits!! i have a 260AI bushing die at home so i will measure tonight to see if a 7mm case will go thru!!

You also have the option of using a Lee collet die in 7-08. They will take the ackley shoulder no problem as i use them for my 22-250AI,243AI and 260AI...

Brad Y · Post by **Brad Y** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 1:11 pm

Can recommend the lee collet die as well. Great for my 260 improved, wish they made them as an off the shelf product for 284

johnk · Post by **johnk** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 1:52 pm

Right now, I'm neck sizing my 30-284 with a Wilson 6.5-284 die & suitable bushings. Stuart Elliott measured it up for me before I bought it.

DaveMc · Post by **DaveMc** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:50 pm

Another thing is the bushings may not go down the neck far enough - if only 3/4 neck sizing it will probably be ok but with the longer shoulder of the 260ai I am not so sure bushings will get to bottom of neck???

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:00 pm

DaveMc wrote:Another thing is the bushings may not go down the neck far enough - if only 3/4 neck sizing it will probably be ok but with the longer shoulder of the 260ai I am not so sure???

Dave I have done a bit of research and some report that the "hole" is about .298"???. So it may need to be opened up to about .315".
I will only size down about 1/2 to 3/4 so it is worth a try maybe?

BRETT B · Post by **BRETT B** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 12:05 am

Norm , I don"t have a fired 7-08 case but I necked down a 308 palmer case and seated a 180 7mm berger. The outside measurement was .3155 and it did fit through the 260 AI neck die with a few thou to spare so I think you could use one with the appropriate bushing to neck size your 7-08 AI!!

DaveMc · Post by **DaveMc** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 7:55 am

Yes and I guess if you only want to bump necks back 1/2 to 3/4 of length then you should have no issue (if able to grind out if necessary). You shouldn't lose more than 0.5mm of bushing engagement grinding it out (possibly much less).

Should be fine.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 5:10 pm

Thanks chaps.

I have ordered a die and some bushings. Once I have them I will give it a try and report back. If this works then it will be quite handy.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:53 pm

My 260ia Redding S series Bushing necking die turned up today.

I went straight to the reloading room and dropped a fired 7-08ai case into the die.

You beauty, the case neck dropped through the hole no problem. So I can simply use the bushings (.308, .307 & .306") with this die and set it up with the desired neck tension.

Its a great outcome that will save me ordering a custom die. I did order a straight 7-08 Lee Collet die as well so it will be interesting to see how it goes.

saum2 · Post by **saum2** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 3:42 pm

Norm,
that's a quick service, where did you order from???
Geoff

KHGS · Post by **KHGS** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 6:22 pm

Norm wrote:My 260ia Redding S series Bushing necking die turned up today.

I went straight to the reloading room and dropped a fired 7-08ai case into the die.

You beauty, the case neck dropped through the hole no problem. So I can simply use the bushings (.308, .307 & .306") with this die and set it up with the desired neck tension.

Its a great outcome that will save me ordering a custom die. I did order a straight 7-08 Lee Collet die as well so it will be interesting to see how it goes.

You may still need to lap the neck opening a little or you can run the risk of forming a "doughnut" when you get to the stage of having to "bump" the shoulder. If this happens you will need to lap a slight radius on the neck/shoulder area of the die.
Keith H.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 6:41 pm

KHGS wrote:
Norm wrote:My 260ia Redding S series Bushing necking die turned up today.

I went straight to the reloading room and dropped a fired 7-08ai case into the die.

You beauty, the case neck dropped through the hole no problem. So I can simply use the bushings (.308, .307 & .306") with this die and set it up with the desired neck tension.

Its a great outcome that will save me ordering a custom die. I did order a straight 7-08 Lee Collet die as well so it will be interesting to see how it goes.

You may still need to lap the neck opening a little or you can run the risk of forming a "doughnut" when you get to the stage of having to "bump" the shoulder. If this happens you will need to lap a slight radius on the neck/shoulder area of the die.
Keith H.

Thanks for the tip Keith. I will keep that in mind when I get to that point.

Rebel, I got it from Sinclair's in the USA.