Vickerman seating die

Stupid question time.

I have an original Vickerman seating die for .243/6mm. I am trying to load Hornady a 75 grain V-max in .243 Winchester cases.

The problem is if I set it for the correct OAL, I can't get the projectile to fit in the window. If I leave it about .140" long it works slicker than calf slobbers.

The previous owner had a 6mm Donaldson Wasp, I know because I got the dies for it in the big box at the estate auction.

Did they make different length dies, or do I just need to play around with the settings more?

I can see how the Vickerman die could be a great improvement over a regular seating die, but not if I have to run each cartridge though it twice.[smilie=b:

Thanks for any help,

Robert

Are you running in a progressive press? They officially don’t work on them. You may have to use an extended shell holder on single stage.

I had to modify mine to work on my 550... And I had to use trim tool head. Here is mine:

https://youtu.be/LAdEzIVQblg

I use extended shell holders for short cases like 22 Hornet.

Vickerman makes the extended shell holders. They fit your regular shell holder and
the shorter case fits in the special shell holder.

Hornady also makes an ext shellholder. Item #392171 and it uses your regular shellholder making it universal.

Thanks, I do have an extended shellholder for the .45 ACP/'06 head size. I'll try that.

Robert

Well the extended shellholder worked. Thanks for the advice.

After reading the responses, I did what I should have done in the first place-- do an internet search for the instructions. The current makers instructions state clearly that an extended shellholder will be needed for cases less than 2½" long.

In my defense, I did look at their website way back when I bought the die, but I had forgotten one vital part.

Robert

My father has a saying: “When all else FAILS!”

......... “Read the destructions!”

Happy Independence Day!

Three44s

For shorter cartridges like .243, you must use an Extended shell holder. The same one fits .243 that also does .308, 300 Savage, and other cartridges of the same head size. The originals made by Vickerman are designed to fit into the normal shell holder for the cartridge you are loading. They made around ten different ones for various cartridges. I have this list if you need it. I think as I recall that #6 fits .243 and everything the same head size. I tried to load the list onto this reply but it wouldn't go. If you send me a message with your email, I will attach a photo of the list I have.

I use RCBS extended shell holders.