BACO .40 Compression Die

[Kevin Alexander]

I'm having one hell of a time trying to compress my powder with the BACO .40 compression die. Die doesn't want to get down into half the cases, the other half does great. Frustrating.

[Don McDowell]

Kevin I took the stems on a couple of those Baco's ,chucked them in the drill press and held a millbastard file at an angle to eliminate that sharp edge. Helped a bunch, but I sill have trouble with the one I use with the 40-70 SS.

[Hiwall55]

I do the same as Don does, still have to jiggle the handle till it starts in or if really hard I unscrew the die with the handle freewheeling and it usually starts right in the screw the die back in then compress.

[Kevin Alexander]

Got it. Took a small flat gunsmithing file and worked on it a bit, then took 600 grit sandpaper to it, and finally steel wool. Works great now. Putting 65 grains of 1.5 Swiss under a Saeco 410 grain bullet sized .409. Vegetable fiber .06 wad. Bullet was hand seated with only 2.5 driving bands in the new Jamison brass. I got 100 rounds to shoot Sunday for my barrel break in process on my new CPA in 40-70SS.

[Don McDowell]

Get us an update on how that rifle shoots for you.

[ken s]

Get us an update on how that rifle shoots for you.

Ok I did this by hand and solved the problem.
took out the .40 stem. made up an aluminum round sleeve to slide over it. drilled and tapped a set screw to allow up and down movement and to adjust the amount of compression.

I put in the powder, then the wad, then hand set the wad to the almost zero compression I want. (you can change it instantly)
ez to use, to press involved, goes right in the case, and Sharps did it this way in the 1879's...
Ken Wish this sight would allow pictures but it doesn't like me at all.