Kutter,
Insead of thinning the shell holder, I often shorten the dies. I turn them into a 7/8x14 threading die(not solid rethread die)and chuck them together into the lathe.The split threading die closes on the thread of the loading die,keeping it from unscrewing itself.This way the loading die"turns true".
Loading dies are hardened(often surface)but a sharp carbide tool cuts it.Cut from inside to out, and make light cuts.It will squeal at first, but once it's cut a couple thousanths, it stops.I use this trick for a couple wildcats and old metrics to avoid custom made dies.I got leery of thinning shell holders by having the top of factory shellholders pull off.These were for 11.15x60R, which has a thicker than common rim(Mauser "A"base/MB).BTW champher and polish the inside of the shortened die, to keep it from damaging the cases.After shortening, the dies are still useful for the original cartridge, just adjust it to "kiss" the shoulder of a fired case.
Mike
Last edited by Der Ami; 10/25/13 06:58 PM.
