August 31st 2021
Can you make a wildcat cartridge like the 6 Dasher with no primer, powders, or bullets? Yes. Hydro-forming allows you to create improved cases in your workshop without firing. This means that your precious barrel is not damaged. This video will show you how it’s done.
Forum member Wes J. Forum member Wes J. (aka P1ZombieKiller), has created a helpful video showing you how to make Dasher cases using the Hornady Hydraulic Forming Die Kit. It includes a body and piston dies, as well as a shell holder. To form the case, insert a primer into your virgin brass and then top it off with a fluid (water, alcohol), before you run the case up to the Hydro-forming die. Your case will be 95% formed with a few good whacks of a hammer.
The same process can be done with a Whidden Gunworks 6-mm Dasher hydraulic form-die. The Whidden hydro-forming tool is a favorite because of its consistent results and production quality. According to Forum members, the Whidden system works well.
Step-by-Step Hydro-Forming Procedure: Insert spent primer into a new 6mmBR brass case.
2. Fill with water (Wes prefers alcohol).
3. Remove any fluid from the case.
4. Place case in Hornady shell-holder (no priming hole).
5. Place the case into Hydraulic forming die
6. 3.-4. Use rubber mallet or dead blow hammer to smack the top piston of the die.
7. If necessary, inspect the case and re-fill.
8. 8. Drain alcohol (or water), into a container
9. Remove primer and save for re-use
10. Form the case by blow drying. Measure the case and inspect it.
This method achieves very uniform cartridge OALs. He measured ten (10) hydroformed 6 Dasher cases, and came up with these results: two @ 1.536 ; 2 @ 1.537 ; and 6 @ 1.5338?.
Three to Four Whacks Makes a 95%-Formed Case
Hydraulic pressure is used to blow out your case’s shoulders using a Whidden- or Hornady hydroforming die. It is very simple. Place a used primer in the bottom end of a new piece brass. Then fill the case with water and place it in a Hornady shell-holder without a hole in the middle. Next, you will need to lift the case into the forming die. This is the fun part. Now comes the fun part. You insert a plunger (hydraulicram) from the top and give it three to four stiff whacks using a mallet or a dead-blow Hammer. You will now have a 95%-formed case that is ready to load.
Shell-Holder Special
Hornady provides a shell holder specifically designed for the hydrodie; it has no hole in its bottom. You can simply insert a used primer into the primer pocket, and you are good to go. The primer pocket is protected by the spent primer and the solid shell holder. The shell holder design makes it impossible for the primer to push out. The shell holder has an opening that allows the case to slip out of the shell holder, even if the primer protrudes slightly.
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Tags: 6BRA, 6mm Dasher, Dasher, DJs Brass, Hornady Hydro Die, Hydro-forming, Shell holder, Whidden Gunworks, Whidden Hydraulic Form die
