Case forming 7x66 SE vom Hofe from .404 cases.

[Kiwi_bloke]

Does anyone have first hand experience of forming 7x66 SE vom Hofe cases from .404 brass? Either using a RCBS case forming die set, (Donnelly's Cartridge Conversion Manual says there are 3 dies in the form set), or by using other intermediary dies to reform the shoulder backwards and neck size downwards? If so, which intermediary dies do I use please?

Rebating the rim shouldn't be too hard, but it looks like I will also need an inside neck reamer. Presumably the RCBS 7mm neck-reamer than mounts in a special die screwed into the press is the way to go, whereas a smaller Forster reamer that fits on a shell trimmer is not in this instance. The RCBS case forming die set and etc., is jolly expensive, so I'm keen to hear what others have to say first.

The 7x66 SE vH. cases I have at present are pentagon head-stamped and when I F.L. resize them, the bullets fall out. The reason being that the neck brass is too thin. When I run the same die over 7x64 brass with normal thickness necks, it sizes them just fine, so it's not the dies fault. Being able to form cases from .404 would be a useful alternative.

The rifle, BYW, is a Mauser 66 and very accurate too. The Zeiss scope is big enough that, if there's light from just one star in the sky, that should be enough. http://www.germanguns.com/upload/images/icons/icon6.png

[mike ford]

Kiwi_bloke,
I don't have direct experience with forming 7x66 vH SE from 404, but I do often form cases from other calibers, using available dies. Since both the 404 and 7x66 are larger in diameter, none of the older common caliber dies can be used in the forming process. Unless you or one of your friends has dies for one of the new Win. or Rem. Short Magnums, I'm afraid you may be stuck with using the RCBS form set. As an after thought, you may find 348 Win. sizing die helpful. With regard to the neck thickness of your cases, I suggest you try sizing them with out the expander in the die. In theory, this won't work, but it won't cost anything to try. I'm guessing you have a lathe, by your comment on turning the rims. If so, you should be able to make a die with a 7/8-14 thread and a drilled/bored/polished hole of whatever diameter necessary to size the neck, only back to the shoulder(by eye), so it will hold a bullet. Lee might accidently have a useable size in their cast bullet sizing dies. I think I might have some unfired RWS 7x66 cases. I'm not usually interested in selling cases, but might be convinced to trade for something I can use. BTW I have enough 404 cases, so don't need them.
Mike

[Kiwi_bloke]

Hi Mike

Those all sound like useful ideas to check out, which I'll do.

I'm not sure what I have to swap, but I'll send a PM with some suggestions shortly.

John.

[Kiwi_bloke]

Hi Mike

Those all sound like useful ideas to check out, which I'll do.

I'm not sure what I have to swap, but I'll send a PM with some suggestions shortly.

John.

[Diz]

Kiwi,

I don't have experience with the 7x66 vom Hofe but Mike's advice about sizing without the expander is about the best. I have used a number of RCBS forming dies sets and generally they are worth the money in saved aggravation. Just so you know Huntington Die Specialties has Hornaber 7x66 vH brass available. Not too cheap but you can buy a lot for the price of a form set. good luck.

Diz