Originally Posted By: dogduster204You have to use the bushing die so you can neck down to 20 cal.It takes more than one step so you need to change size of bushing and your regular 223 die cant do that.
Bobby
Going from 22 to 20 cal can be done in one step.
To the OP
A redding "type s" die uses bushings in it to size the neck of the brass to whatever size you would like. For instance, the use of different bushings in that die can get you 17/223, 20 practical, 6x45 etc... You can even use it with the correct bushing for a plain ol' 223.
You can see one
here.
(The bushing is the little gold thing in the neck of the die.)
Originally Posted By: wheel10I've been thinking about having a 20 practical made. While researching on how to make the brass, it seems everyone talks about using a Redding 223 FL die set with bushings and a 204 decapping rod assembly.
Here's what baffles me. The general idea of a bushing die is to size the neck to a very specific diameter. Why would someone do that then use a 20 cal decapping rod assembly? In other words they size the neck with a bushing of their choice then let a 20 cal expander button screw it up when the brass comes out of the die. What you end up doing is over working the brass, you squeeze it down then expand it back out again, doesn't make a lot of sense. If the correct bushing is used, you don't need the expander button.
Included with the type s die is a small black part that replaces the expander button but still holds the decapping pin in place. It's called a retainer, if its not in the box you can call redding and they will send you one for free.
Redding, Forster and......... (Gulp)...Hornady and Lee dies will all fit your RCBS press.