22lr de rim die

[Jimmynostars]

I intend to make a de-rim die to suit a Lee press. Can anyone recommend bore and pin sizes please. What steel should these be made out of, do I need to heat treat them.

Thanks in advance

[clodhopper]

Your bore might be .220-.221, with a bit of spring back the jackets might measure .222-.223.
The pin around .190-.195. I would make the punch (pin) out of 1144.
A die made of 1144 may not be the longest lasting die you could make. You can always use harder/slicker steel next time.

There's always grade 5 bolts, they machine pretty good without annealing.

[Jimmynostars]

Thanks for the dimensions, so 4140 would be suitable for both for a start? Possibly get them nitrided if they work. I imagine the die needs to accept the rimmed case initially then taper to the finished size.

Is the taper important, do you ream the small diameter, drill or bore. I imagine it is a difficult one

[deltaenterprizes]

I used a center drill to put a 60 degree taper into the die.
I used a grade 8 bolt for the die and turned down 1/4” grade 8 bolts for the punch.
Make the punch removable because they wear.

[bigjake]

Use a drill bushing .https://www.mcmaster.com/drill-bushings/press-fit-drill-bushings-with-head-7/
easiest die out of all of the dies you will make. put a better bevel on it for easier push thru.

[clodhopper]

If you have 4140 use it.

[clodhopper]

Big Jake and Delta enterprises comments are good.
I just think if you have a lathe you will learn something every time you use it.
If your first shot at making a die does not work out, using a drill bushing is still an option if you can chuck the die again.

[Jimmynostars]

Big thanks I will have a go at work, I will check the numbers but I think a 7mm drill stepped to a 5.5 may be the go. Will let you know in a week or so.

[Jimmynostars]

307684

Hopefully this works, I still call it a success. My 7/8 14 tpi thread was smooth and the pin clipped in and out of the ram positively.
It was around 5.06 or .199 tho, I feel a better radius would have torn less than most of the rims.

My ball gauges were at home but when measured after the bore was 5.41 and the cases were 5.43, too small. The lathe I was using has a number of issues and the mill is busy for a few more days, lessons are learnt and I am still positive. I will drill holes in mill. Stay tuned

[Jimmynostars]

Had 195 to 200 tho in my head for the pin, dropped the ball on that too...

Ha, I can laugh at myself and not be frustrated with wasted efforts,

[clodhopper]

Good looking die. Making a die gives you ideas on making the next on better.
I need to get back to the lathe and make some too.

[Jimmynostars]

307871

The 7/32 Drill with quill feed in the mill gave a great finish, was hoping it would cut a little bigger ended up with a diameter of .218.

The .195 punch left less of a line at the rim than the .190 did. I will try a slightly larger punch and see if I can lap the die slightly or is .218 ok?

I trued the od and tapped a piece of barstock to hold the die in a 4 jaw for the lathe or 3 jaw for the mill.

[Jimmynostars]

I have ordered a 5.6 drill, when it turns up I will put my spare blank in the mill and do the same for comparison, polish both and try the 195 and 200 punch and will update.

Onwards to a wire extrusion set in another thread, thanks for the help