Old Pacific Tool dies

P

pyscodog

Active member
My smith loaned me a set of dies. Very old PT&G's 30-06. They screw into my press really easy until the last 5 threads, then they get hard to turn to the point of having to use channel locks to get them out. I have two press's and its the same in both. I've wire brushed the threads and lightly lubed them but it didn't help. Any idea what's going on? I measured the OD of the threads and they seem to be the same top to bottom. I need the extra 5 threads to reach my shell holder.
 
If the major diameter us same from end to end, then the minor diameter must be oversized to get tight on last five threads or there is a burr on one or more threads in that area. If the dies were yours, lacking a lathe, you could clean the threads up with a file, but.......

Regards,
hm
 
Its actually about the center of the threads on the die. When it hits that spot, all the slack in the threads is gone. I lightly ran a fine three corner file through the threads and didn't really feel any burr. Its like the threads aren't deep enough in that area although the jam nut travels freely up and down the threads. I checked the seating die and it is fine. Maybe I should return them and just get a new set.
 
Again, it they were your dies, not borrowed, you could try some valve grinding compound and run a lock nut up and down over the tight spot to see if that would relieve the threads a bit. Sounds like the minor thread diameter is a bit oversized...doesn't take much to jam the threads. If OK w/your friend, you might give that a try. One of the split lock nuts would be great, as you could keep tightening the set screw and repeat until the die will screw in freely.

Regards,
hm
 
Thanks hm but I think I'll just return them. I went to a pawn shop today thats owned by one of our gun club members. He had a set of RCBS dies and made me a nice deal on them.($20 OTD) I brought them home and they are working like they should. I'll let my gun smith figure out what wrong with the dies. He might be able to put them in his lathe and fix the problem. Thank you for the advice!
 
I'd like to know from the fella you bought them from if they are that old, if there's some sort of proprietary threads. I would think you would be able to tell if the threads were dicked up, but being both are the exact same, I bet the TPI is a little bit different.

Regardless please keep me posted.
 
I just talked to him a few minutes ago. He said they screwed into his Rockchucker just fine but they sure won't go into my press. Its an RCBS as well. I measured the thread OD with calipers and they were the same from top to bottom. I really have no way to check thread depth correctly. He said he had a die he could run the sizing die through to clean up the threads but I already bought the new set of dies so I'm just going to return the PT&G set back to him. He can do what he wants with them. He said they had been in a drawer for 20yrs. They'll probably go back in the drawer.
 
I just saw this. Are these really from PT&G or are they PACIFIC that became part of Hornady? I didn't know Pacific Tool and & Gauge ever made dies so I am curious. I know they offered raw die bodies for the BR/tool guys.

Greg
 
I was gonna go on the hunt to get a set for my collection. I have some really old stuff from an outfit I never hear of. I'll have to pull them out for proper spelling.

My first Pacific die was a taper crimp for 45 ACP that I bought in 1976 and it lives on my Dillon 300.

Greg
 
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Originally Posted By: hm1996Ever heard of Wells dies, Greg? Have a set I bought years ago; don't own a .270.

Regards,
hm

That's anew one on me. My oldies are Lachmiller dies. I have them tucked away somewhere in the reloading room..LOL

Greg
 
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