- Joined
- May 31, 2018
- Messages
- 27
One of my target rifles is a .338 Lapua Magnum. I finally found the load and length the thing likes. I already had reloading dies for it however, the bullet seating die has the wrong radius inside for the long bullets I use. Seating depth varies about .005 +/-. I ordered a micrometer seating plug for it with 1/2' x 20 threads. The die stem was 3/16x 20. Die material was very hard so I brought it up to 1600-1700 in my forge and slow cooled to soften. After that I chucked it up in the lathe and drilled it in steps to about .400. Didn't have the right bit to get closer to tap size so I used a small boring tool to take it out to .470. Tapped it and had to machine off almost .500 to get right overall length. When finished on the lathe I cleaned it up with acetone and took it back up to red heat in forge and quenched to re harden.
Back into the lathe to polish inside and chase threads. Perfect. To purchase a micrometer seating die is about $185. My home made version cost me about $60 (not counting the $1100 I spent on the lathe and tooling!)
I'm very happy with my Enco lathe. I was basically ran off another web forum for having a foreign lathe. Looks like I'm a good fit here.
Going to try and post pics of project and my new toy.
Thanks
Back into the lathe to polish inside and chase threads. Perfect. To purchase a micrometer seating die is about $185. My home made version cost me about $60 (not counting the $1100 I spent on the lathe and tooling!)
I'm very happy with my Enco lathe. I was basically ran off another web forum for having a foreign lathe. Looks like I'm a good fit here.
Going to try and post pics of project and my new toy.
Thanks