Hydraulically formed 6.5 Grendel brass

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Hydraulically formed 6.5 Grendel brass

Posted: 1/25/2011 2:55:21 PM EDT

I've been playing with making a hydraulic forming die for 6.5 Gren. Actually, I just made some modified parts for my sizing die. It's still in R&D so to speak but here are the first results.

The two cases on the left are AA factory brass.

I have a few tweaks I'm going to make but I think initial results are promising.

Here's link to info about Hornady's dies for reference.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2009/03/tech-tip-form-improved-cases-with-hydraulic-forming-die/

More to come...

Posted: 1/25/2011 6:38:43 PM EDT

[#1]

What case are you starting with?

Any difference between headstamps with the formed brass?

Would love to see a pic of your process.

Posted: 1/25/2011 6:44:03 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
What case are you starting with?

Any difference between headstamps with the formed brass?

Would love to see a pic of your process.

im pretty sure he is starting with 7.62x39

here is a video i saw on youtube a while back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQgIFscVOE8

Posted: 1/25/2011 6:44:13 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
What case are you starting with?

Any difference between headstamps with the formed brass?

Would love to see a pic of your process.

im pretty sure he is starting with 7.62x39

here is a video i saw on youtube a while back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQgIFscVOE8

Posted: 1/25/2011 8:26:19 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Quoted:
What case are you starting with?

Any difference between headstamps with the formed brass?

Would love to see a pic of your process.

im pretty sure he is starting with 7.62x39

here is a video i saw on youtube a while back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQgIFscVOE8

made it hot.

Posted: 1/25/2011 8:53:52 PM EDT

[#5]

All new IMI 7.62x39 brass I picked up on the EE.

When I get the final pieces done I'll post pics of them.

Posted: 1/26/2011 3:53:43 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
All new IMI 7.62x39 brass I picked up on the EE.

When I get the final pieces done I'll post pics of them.

You Sir are having entirely too much fun
Over on the 6.5 G forum before it went down someone else was doing the same thing. Many was asking why and offered that the process did not fully form the brass as fireforming .
But from the pics looks like a good process to get the brass in better form to prevent splitting the neck. USMC Please post pics many would like to see BTW did any of that data on subsonic help? or was it just more confusion?

Posted: 1/26/2011 5:03:40 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
All new IMI 7.62x39 brass I picked up on the EE.

When I get the final pieces done I'll post pics of them.

You Sir are having entirely too much fun
Over on the 6.5 G forum before it went down someone else was doing the same thing. Many was asking why and offered that the process did not fully form the brass as fireforming .
But from the pics looks like a good process to get the brass in better form to prevent splitting the neck. USMC Please post pics many would like to see BTW did any of that data on subsonic help? or was it just more confusion?

The generic info (case prep, etc) was helpful but the specific loads posted on the other forums didn't work in my rifle. Thanks.

Posted: 1/26/2011 10:39:19 AM EDT

[#8]

In the video, what is the die in the RCBS press? What does it do?

PS: I agree with the other posters, you are having too much fun with your Grendel.

He wipes the water off, then sticks it in the Lee Grendel Sizing die .... with no case lube...? ?

Posted: 1/26/2011 12:12:16 PM EDT

[#9]

I lube mine before the go into the forming die. There is still enough on them to go straight to sizing without re-lubing.

This is quite fun, to me at least. I've had several people ask me already why not just buy a forming die and be done with it? Answer is I like rigging stuff to work, especially when someone tells me I can't do it.

I'll try to remember the pics tonight.

Posted: 1/26/2011 3:07:01 PM EDT

[#10]

[/quote]

The generic info (case prep, etc) was helpful but the specific loads posted on the other forums didn't work in my rifle. Thanks.[/quote]

ohh well I tried USMC
sorry about the data not working out for you. wish I had some loads that would work I'd be happy to share with you.
Currently I am attempting some fire form loads using 100 gr sierra s and RL-10x i'll post results as soon as the blooming winter works with me.

Posted: 1/26/2011 3:42:40 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

The generic info (case prep, etc) was helpful but the specific loads posted on the other forums didn't work in my rifle. Thanks.

ohh well I tried USMC
sorry about the data not working out for you. wish I had some loads that would work I'd be happy to share with you.
Currently I am attempting some fire form loads using 100 gr sierra s and RL-10x i'll post results as soon as the blooming winter works with me.

Posted: 1/26/2011 7:01:34 PM EDT

[#12]

IMI 7.62x39 is nice brass.

What is being done with the punch?

Blowing out the shoulder?

Then necking down in a sizing die it looks like.

Posted: 1/27/2011 8:27:02 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
IMI 7.62x39 is nice brass.

What is being done with the punch?

Blowing out the shoulder?

Then necking down in a sizing die it looks like.

Yes it is. I have good bit of .50 cal IMI brass and it holds up very well. I hope I get the same out of this stuff.

The punch (I'm actually using drill rod) is being used as a hydraulic ram to create enough pressure to blow out the case. It doesn't get quite enough pressure to fully form the brass but close enough for first firing.

I'm using a standard sizing die with the de-capping pin/ expander removed so the necking down is done at the same time as forming. Then I replace the expander and run the brass through again before loading.

Posted: 1/28/2011 6:48:10 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
IMI 7.62x39 is nice brass.

What is being done with the punch?

Blowing out the shoulder?

Then necking down in a sizing die it looks like.

Yes it is. I have good bit of .50 cal IMI brass and it holds up very well. I hope I get the same out of this stuff.

The punch (I'm actually using drill rod) is being used as a hydraulic ram to create enough pressure to blow out the case. It doesn't get quite enough pressure to fully form the brass but close enough for first firing.

I'm using a standard sizing die with the de-capping pin/ expander removed so the necking down is done at the same time as forming. Then I replace the expander and run the brass through again before loading.

Thanks.

Posted: 1/31/2011 6:23:11 PM EDT

[#15]

Finally remembered to take the pics...

Here's the working prototype.

The piston guide is a 1/2 fine thread bolt (fits a Hornady sizing die) and the piston is made from 1/4 drill rod. The end of the drill rod is polished down to fit tight in the case neck when it is fully inserted in the die (.244-.246 dia iirc). I still need to improve the fit between the piston and guide but it will take better equipment than what I have.

edit - Forgot to mention- I counter-bored the shell holder and machined an aluminum slug to hold the primer in. The O ring was an attempt hold the water in without primers (this brass is new, un-primed). Didn't work so well. Luckily my buddy saves his old primers and has about 30 lbs worth.