Log In
February 6, 2010
Offline
Hey guys i just found out that Hornady changed the thickness of the rim on thier 218 bee brass. I called them and was told that they did it 2023. They made it 1 thousandth on an inch thicker. I ran into problems with my press and the new brass. I use an old Bonanza/Forster co-ax press with the jaws that open to hold the shell. The new brass has a hit and miss time going under the jaws to hold it in place. I called Forster and reported the issue. I seriously doubt they will change anything as it is not a very popular caliber. I just have to pay close attention and make sure the jaws hold the brass because if they were ever to fail I would have a stuck case.
Steve
March 31, 2009
Offline
slk said
Hey guys i just found out that Hornady changed the thickness of the rim on thier 218 bee brass. I called them and was told that they did it 2023. They made it 1 thousandth on an inch thicker. I ran into problems with my press and the new brass. I use an old Bonanza/Forster co-ax press with the jaws that open to hold the shell. The new brass has a hit and miss time going under the jaws to hold it in place. I called Forster and reported the issue. I seriously doubt they will change anything as it is not a very popular caliber. I just have to pay close attention and make sure the jaws hold the brass because if they were ever to fail I would have a stuck case.
Steve
I have 2 Forester Co Ax presses and each came with 2 jaw sizes, small and large. Have you taken the assembly apart and cleaned out the ring area where the rim would go into? Rim thickness for the .218 Bee should be about .065″. If you have not taken these apart before be aware that there are 2 small springs underneath the plates. If you do get a stuck case just loosen the jaws a bit so the rim can be captured. You can sort your brass and remove the extra thickness on the ones that need it or shim the sliding assemblies.
February 6, 2010
Offline
Yes I have had the jaws apart many times. I have all 3 sets of them. The S jaws. The LS, and the #50. The number 50 was what Bonanza put it the first presses they made.
They are a fine press for sure. Not quite sure how the jaws could be shimmed. You would have to make 4 shims to go under the 4 corners. I suppose a beer can aluminum would be enough. I bet some duct tape under each corner would work as well
Steve
1 Guest(s)
