Wildcat die maker recommendations

ericbc7 said:

Could a one-off sizing die be created on a cnc machine without the extra step of making a reamer?

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Yes

I used CH4 for my last set of wildcats. I don't know if they'll make a die set from a print, though.

Silver_Is_Money said:

I need recommendations for the manufacture of a custom one-off wildcat rifle die set. I have fired brass to use for measurement.

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We use JGS to make our Reamers to our specks of the cartridge and then Whidden to make our Dies from the Print or the 3X fired case.
Give us a buzz (PM) if you want to talk about it.
Len & Jill

ericbc7 said:

Could a one-off sizing die be created on a cnc machine without the extra step of making a reamer?

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I have the reamer.

I've used Hornady, CH4D, and Whidden. I'd use all of them again, in that order. I thought Hornady was the easiest to work with overall. CH4D took a very long time, but they're excellent dies.

I had mine made by Whidden, all 5 wildcat designs on the 416 Rigby Improved case all at the same time. The hydraulic forming dies were made and sent later. Only 4 of them are still in use now.
I struggle to find custom dies today. I made a change to the one not being used and Whidden can't supply at this time, have the reamer and barrel is ready to go.
I was going to ask @50Driver here to see where he gets his made…

Cheers.

I emailed John Whidden, and in reply Carrie Whidden stated that there will be no further custom dies going forward.

Silver_Is_Money said:

I emailed John Whidden, and in reply Carrie Whidden stated that there will be no further custom dies going forward.

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That's probably best!!

bigngreen said:

That's probably best!!

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Why?

Silver_Is_Money said:

I emailed John Whidden, and in reply Carrie Whidden stated that there will be no further custom dies going forward.

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No doubt partially due to an inability to manufacture functional resizing dies on their 1st attempt. After 3 attempts for me, I still ended up with a non-functional 338 LAI resizing die. I gave up. As have others...

Really sad to hear they aren't doing custom dies anymore, I've had phenomenal experience with them.

Silver_Is_Money said:

Why?

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They struggle to hit specs and when they miss it's your problem, I have quite a few dies from them, when their on spec their good when their not your SOL!