A little info please, setting my my first FL bushing die (Whidden)

[Linko]

Up to this point I have used only FL dies. I am starting to load a new caliber for me (308).

I purchased a new Whidden click adjustable Bushing die.

My new Lapua Palma brass with a Berger 200 seated measures OD .338

I plan to by .335, 336 & .337 bushings

My question is this, if the bushing sets the tension should I be using the expander ball? I would think the expander would undo the work the bushing did.

 

[Just Dave]

No, expander balls suck
Neck bushing only stinks too.
.
FL die, modified to accept bushings, then run across a mandrel to set neck is where I am at.

 

[whatwind?]

The expanders are ordered to the size you want, .307; .306 etc

Whidden has you tube videos up also, they report non bushing dies to create more concentric ammunition on average

Just Dave is correct also

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you pull that expander back thru and it drags on your neck no matter what bushing you use youll have the same tension. You have to ditch the expander or get the proper size one.

 

[MattS]

I’ve always ran Redding FL bushing dies NO expander on Lapua brass, my brass has 7-8 cycles on them and just checked the other night for loaded round run out which averaged .002”.

 

[hikfromstik]

I'm at this exact same point . I read on this forum extensively about what size bushing for different brands of brass ( 6.5 creedmoor ) . I also read the bushing reviews on Midway USA and the full length bushing sizing die reviews . Lots of good info on there too. I could be wrong, if so maybe someone can correct me , but Hornady, Redding and Wilson bushing s are all interchangeable . The sizes may be slightly different so read those reviews. Some people will share their experience and tell which bushing size fit what caliber and brass combo. I took my expander ball off and I'm just using the bushing for the neck sizing part of my Redding FL bushing sizer. I'm gonna try this first before I buy a neck turner or mandrel . So far the neck tension is way better than the Hornady die. The Hornady FL sizing die creates too much neck tension in lapua and Norma brass.

 

[22BRGUY]

I'm at this exact same point . I read on this forum extensively about what size bushing for different brands of brass ( 6.5 creedmoor ) . I also read the bushing reviews on Midway USA and the full length bushing sizing die reviews . Lots of good info on there too. I could be wrong, if so maybe someone can correct me , but Hornady, Redding and Wilson bushing s are all interchangeable . The sizes may be slightly different so read those reviews. Some people will share their experience and tell which bushing size fit what caliber and brass combo. I took my expander ball off and I'm just using the bushing for the neck sizing part of my Redding FL bushing sizer. I'm gonna try this first before I buy a neck turner or mandrel . So far the neck tension is way better than the Hornady die. The Hornady FL sizing die creates too much neck tension in lapua and Norma brass.

Would suggest you may want to get a ball micrometer so you can measure actual neck wall thickness and then you will be able to know how much neck tension each bushing is actually being formed. This one is from Graf and Sons and quite reasonable.
I agree that expander balls can do more harm than good.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/75242

 

[Linko]

Anyone using a Whidden FL Neck Bushing Die?

Should I remove the expander from this die?

 

[Bob L.]

Anyone using a Whidden FL Neck Bushing Die?

Should I remove the expander from this die?

Yes and yes.

 

[hikfromstik]

Would suggest you may want to get a ball micrometer so you can measure actual neck wall thickness and then you will be able to know how much neck tension each bushing is actually being formed. This one is from Graf and Sons and quite reasonable.
I agree that expander balls can do more harm than good.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/75242

It's in my cart as we speak , thanks for the link . At that price it's a great deal .

 

[Linko]

Checked with Whidden.

Out with the expander and the stem.

Neck tension to start for the 308 I am going to try .002

 

[TerryH]

Ok, I'm a bit confused. I just got a Whidden .308 click adjustable FL bushing die also. The expander, if you want to call it that, only measures .305 so it's not touching the neck at all. I'm using a .334 bushing and the necks post sizing are exactly .334.

 

[243winxb]

Expander ball kit.

The correct size expander can be used with a bushing die. Best used with unturned necks.

 

[Linko]

Ok, I'm a bit confused. I just got a Whidden .308 click adjustable FL bushing die also. The expander, if you want to call it that, only measures .305 so it's not touching the neck at all. I'm using a .334 bushing and the necks post sizing are exactly .334.

No issue with that. its just going along for the ride. I am just going to remove it since its not needed. My underlying question was if I'm neck sizing why would I need an expander ball.

Terry, what is your loaded round measuring (od)? Mine with Lapua palma and berger 200.20x is .338

I am going to start with .002 tension (.338 - .002 = .336)

I bought .335, .336 & .337 bushings to try

 

[TerryH]

No issue with that. its just going along for the ride. I am just going to remove it since its not needed. My underlying question was if I'm neck sizing why would I need an expander ball.

Terry, what is your loaded round measuring (od)? Mine with Lapua palma and berger 200.20x is .338

I am going to start with .002 tension (.338 - .002 = .336)

I bought .335, .336 & .337 bushings to try

Mine measure .336. I have .333 and .334 bushings. I turned all the necks before the brass was loaded the first time.

It appears to me that Whidden just puts a small diameter expander in the die to hold the decapping pin more than anything else. I'm decapping in a separate operation. I left the expander in mine since it's not doing anything anyway.

 

[243winxb]

If brass is not outside neck turned, the bushing pushes neck wall thickness irregularities to the inside.

Light contact from an expander moves them to the outside of the neck, where they belong. Only takes very light contact.

Do your own testing, then you will know.

 

[Linko]

Mine measure .336. I have .333 and .334 bushings. I turned all the necks before the brass was loaded the first time.

It appears to me that Whidden just puts a small diameter expander in the die to hold the decapping pin more than anything else. I'm decapping in a separate operation. I left the expander in mine since it's not doing anything anyway.

Neck turning, one more thing to do....geeze. I have not considered that step yet.

 

[TerryH]

Neck turning, one more thing to do....geeze. I have not considered that step yet.

Just one more cog in the accuracy wheel. I have the 21st Century lathe and it is a super nice piece. Very easy to set up and use.

 

[Linko]

Just one more cog in the accuracy wheel. I have the 21st Century lathe and it is a super nice piece. Very easy to set up and use.

is it safe to assume you have a chamber cut small for a turned neck?

 

[timeout]

You can take a "skim" turn to true up the necks. Also if you get into necking down cartridges, it is often necessary to turn the necks down because they become too thick in the process. So there are some more reasons to neck turn besides tight neck chambers.