continuation of 17 tcm/179mm

[Waskawood]

Originally Posted by sgtg

I know I'm mad MAD!! sgtg out

I feel ur pain. This case will do that to a guy. I fell in love with the Shrew a couple years back, but due to the massive case prep I scrapped the idea. I absolutely fell in love again when the TCM came along. I'm waiting for Bushings so I can continue necking down to 17 caliber then the loooong wait for a reamer.

[Nor Cal Mikie]

I'am mad MAD?? Wrong!! The term is " Innovative".

[Gary in Illinois]

Originally Posted by Waskawood

I feel ur pain. This case will do that to a guy. I fell in love with the Shrew a couple years back, but due to the massive case prep I scrapped the idea. I absolutely fell in love again when the TCM came along. I'm waiting for Bushings so I can continue necking down to 17 caliber then the loooong wait for a reamer.

Waska,

Did you get a reamer for the Shrew? I had one and sold it; now I would like to have it back. There apparently is no recovery from this disease!

[Waskawood]

Never did Gary. It was too much work getting the dies etc. Sure happy I waited. Another forum member and I are working on this together and once we get something formed that we are both happy with we will order a reamer.

[Waskawood]

sgtg: Have you had a chance to chamber your 17 caliber version yet?

[sgtg]

Waskawood; No I have not redone it yet, most of my effort has been on the 20 caliber version, and to be honest the 17 Cal. is so close to the 17 HH that when I do redo the 17 version it will be a Contender. It may be a couple weeks before I have much to report. If you have a specific question Please ask. I'll PM you sgtg out

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Something was mentioned a while back about the Sinclair Expander Die needing to be shortened because you can't reach the mandrel with the "short" cases? Just ordered one then canceled the order when I figured it out.
Extended shell holder to the rescue!
Run the ram up all the way, adjust the die down to get the depth you're after, problem solved.
RCBS and a few others make them and they can be used on a "bunch" of different short caliber Wildcats.
It came with my RCBS .223 Compitition dies and that same die, with the "extended" shell holder, is used to load .221 Fireball.


I need to add something about using the "extended shell holder". The extended shell holder WILL NOT WORK with a "sizer die"!! It only works with a seater die. (or in this case, the expander die)
It won't fit a sizer die becasue the case body is supported where as the seater die does not supported the case body. Sorry for any confusion.

[william t. oviatt]

NCM,
Can the extended shell holder work on most shorter cartridges of 223-case persuasion, then? Like a 22TCM using the ESH with 223 or 222 or 221 dies?
This would really simplify a lot of cartridges, for me.. I have not had experience with using the ext. sh. hldr. Does it allow the smaller/shorter case to penetrate up into the die until the shoulder areas match?
Feedback of experience on this would be appreciated....
Bill

[Nor Cal Mikie]

The "extended shell holder" that I mentioned comes as part of the RCBS Compitition Die Set. The die set for the .223 is also used to load .221 Fireball.
They also come in .308 and a few other calibers. That shell holder can be had in a couple of different lengths.
Anything with the base of a .223 case will work.
Set the sizer or seater to load the .223.
Add the extended shell holder, readjust the die and load a shorter round.
In this case, anything like the TCM or my 20 VT "short" can work.
I use a RCBS Compitition Die set in .308 with an ESH to load for my BR cases. Same base as the .308.
If you're working with a "real short case", you might need to make a few adjustments to get things the way you want them.
The ESH just moves the case further up into the die than the normal flat shell holder.
Anywhere from 1/2" to 1", depending on which holder you get.
I think Hornady and a few others also make them. I've picked up a few for different projects.
Some (maybe Hornady) have a larger OD that I had turned down to fit "inside" my dies. HTH, Mike.

[william t. oviatt]

Thank you Mike
Bill