7mm PRC die recommendations

[belldar]

Did you clean the die before you resized? The guy that taught me how to reload some 30+ years ago had a problem and made a point to have me clean the dies before I used them. That crap could cause a sticky case, possibly something to consider.

Yes. Always

 

[liber]

Yes. Always

Considering they sent you a new die and it did the same thing, must mean it's either your brass or their dies! I don't like the Hornady brass unless it's all I have. But in post #24 you say you're using ADG, so the only thing is ADG is known to be thicker...it doesn't make sense that it's scratching your brass though...Hmmm That's frustrating for sure and my bet is something in the die.

 

[quandary]

I did not try any other PRC brass. Shoot 300WM ADG brass and have not had an issue, but that is with RCBS dies. That was actually my first and only Forster sizing die. I have a few Forster seating that I really like but I will continue using what I have always used (RCBS, Redding) for sizing. Trying to find the best sizing die for 7PRC for hunting Loads. I'll keep using the Forster seating die

What I do with my PRC, that seems to work is to double size. First with the Forster die for initial case sizing and shoulder bump. Second with a the Cortina Mandrel PRC die which takes the case at the .2 datum line down to .530/.529. If you pull the sizing mandrel out you can use the same die for the 3 PRCs. I am on the 5 and 6s sizing and have had no clicker issues with barrels chamber with SAAMI reamers.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Yes. And than it happened again so that's why I am looking for something else.

Crazy. My 7PRC dies are the Forster (I have other Forster dies as well), and they are smooth as snot on a glass doorknob.
Forster are one of my favorite die makers.

Did you inspect it? I don't see any steel die being "too soft" and scratching brass.

But if you have an accumulation if brass stuck to the wall from various reasons, it will do this.

Whiddon are great.
Redding are great.
RCBS are pretty good.
Hornady are OK.

 

[belldar]

What I do with my PRC, that seems to work is to double size. First with the Forster die for initial case sizing and shoulder bump. Second with a the Cortina Mandrel PRC die which takes the case at the .2 datum line down to .530/.529. If you pull the sizing mandrel out you can use the same die for the 3 PRCs. I am on the 5 and 6s sizing and have had no clicker issues with barrels chamber with SAAMI reamers.

Good to know. So your saying you can also use the 7 PRC mandrel on the 6.5 PRC? I see there is a 7-30 cal PRC mandrel and a 6.5 PRC mandrel for sale but you are using the 7 for both?

 

[belldar]

Crazy. My 7PRC dies are the Forster (I have other Forster dies as well), and they are smooth as snot on a glass doorknob.
Forster are one of my favorite die makers.

Did you inspect it? I don't see any steel die being "too soft" and scratching brass.

But if you have an accumulation if brass stuck to the wall from various reasons, it will do this.

Whiddon are great.
Redding are great.
RCBS are pretty good.
Hornady are OK.

Lots of inspection and polishing after it started scratching the necks. Not sure what to say as I have never had the problem with any other dies out of over 50 I use. Just bad luck in that one. Again Forster CS was good but some times you have to go a different route

 

[lancetkenyon]

Lots of inspection and polishing after it started scratching the necks. Not sure what to say as I have never had the problem with any other dies out of over 50 I use. Just bad luck in that one. Again Forster CS was good but some times you have to go a different route

Copy. Mine is a bushing die, so no contact on the die with the necks.

Was it causing actual scratches/grooves in the brass? Or just removing the coloring from the annealing process?

 

[belldar]

Grooves. Could click my nail in them.
First die I thought was my fault for not chamfering the new brass before bumping the necks. Second I used a mandrel and chamfered first and it happened again.

 

[quandary]

Good to know. So your saying you can also use the 7 PRC mandrel on the 6.5 PRC? I see there is a 7-30 cal PRC mandrel and a 6.5 PRC mandrel for sale but you are using the 7 for both?

Yes you can use the 7/300 die for all 3 PRCs as long as you are not using the neck mandrel component of the die for the 6.5PRC. I use a 21st Century die for setting neck tension anyway so for me no problem.

For me the double sizing on the PRC cases is a smoother process than the "small base" dies (for example the Bullet Central Micron dies) that try to accomplish the small base sizing in one pass. I will say that the I have not tried a Micron die with my Area 419 Zero press which has significantly more leverage than the RCBS Summit press I was using and is of infinitely higher quality parts, fit and finish. But I broke two parts on the RCBS press sizing PRC brass with a small base die, sheared a handle and sheared the top yoke piece. Both parts are made of cast metal and not remotely close to the Area 419 quality.