Silver_Is_Money
Well-Known Member
I need recommendations for the manufacture of a custom one-off wildcat rifle die set. I have fired brass to use for measurement.
Wildcat die maker recommendations
- Thread starter Silver_Is_Money
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
RegionRat
Well-Known Member
I will suggest a view point without naming a die maker as you asked, but in the hopes it doesn't derail you.
If a custom die is going to be required for a Wildcat, we should plan it along with the chamber reamer and cutting the chamber and do it at the same time.
In other words, whoever makes the reamer for the chamber can also make the reamer for the sizing die. Then, by the same token they make the die when they make the chamber. Does that make sense?
Failing that arrangement, you could send your brass to a number of folks like Whidden, Warner, or your current smithy can make one from a Newlon blank die. More suggestions will come along, but next time you make a Wildcat that needs a custom die, think about having both reamers made at the same time. Whoever made your chamber reamer, can make the die reamer from sample brass.
I have a die set (along with a hydraulic forming die) made by Whidden.
This is precisely what I did with my .338 Thor.
My GS made custom dies (including hydraulic forming die) out of it using blank dies.
Last edited:
Unfortunately Whidden isn't accepting new custom die orders, last I looked at their site.
Was thinking about a clicker adj bushing sizer for one of mine.
I sure like their equipment.
Was thinking about a clicker adj bushing sizer for one of mine.
I sure like their equipment.
Silver_Is_Money
Well-Known Member
I have these two reamers.
I can't speak for their willingness, but I can attest the quality of their work:
Give them a call: (260) 273-9909
Jeffrey Van Zandt
Well-Known Member
a lot of wildcat users have the gunsmith do there die with the reamer used for doing the chamber Wilson sales a blank inline die
Short Case
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2012
- Messages
- 686
I have had my Wildcat reamer made by Tony at JGS Precision and I had Ben at Hornady make by Bushing Dies
Yep, the lead time and cost were cut down significantly. The only thing that made it longer was my GS sending the sizing die to be hardened, but I was in no hurry.
Silver_Is_Money
Well-Known Member
My wildcat is a 6.5mm LWS, which would likely be most similar to a 6.5mm Sherman Long with the shoulder moved forward a bit and the neck shortened to only 1/4" thereby. I wonder if a machinist might be able to take my reamer and turn a 6.5mm-06 die into a 6.5mm LWS die?
The sizing die is hardened; use a blank die instead.
My "Wildcat" is a 1880s Cape Gun. I bought it from a guy who was friends with Joyce Hornady. My friend, Jerry, was about to buy this gun in the 1970s. Looked at the Hornady's catalog and saw they made dies for it. He bought the gun and then ordered the dies 10.3x60 and heard back that they never made dies for this caliber.
He called Joyce (they knew each other) and complained! Joyce responded that since my friend, Jerry, had bought the gun and it did show that Hornady had the dies. Joyce laughed and told Jerry that Hornady would make him some. I have the only dies for this obsolete caliber.
He called Joyce (they knew each other) and complained! Joyce responded that since my friend, Jerry, had bought the gun and it did show that Hornady had the dies. Joyce laughed and told Jerry that Hornady would make him some. I have the only dies for this obsolete caliber.
