Question about Neck Turning

[South Pender]

I have a question about what procedures are desirable in connection with neck turning. I've read a number of different opinions on this and am not sure just how to proceed. I'm handloading a .270 Win. and thought I'd try neck turning for the first time. I had thought that I'd run my new Norma brass through my FL sizing die and then turn them. I'm assuming that the expanding ball will open the case neck up to the right diameter for my turner mandrel. The Sinclair mandrel mics .2755".

Is this plan adequate, or are there other things I should consider?

 

[Downeast]

From watching videos and reading articles on the pros and cons of neck turning I find very little hard data overall to support the "theory" of neck turning.
And yes, I do turn some necks.

 

[Mulligan]

I have a question about what procedures are desirable in connection with neck turning. I've read a number of different opinions on this and am not sure just how to proceed. I'm handloading a .270 Win. and thought I'd try neck turning for the first time. I had thought that I'd run my new Norma brass through my FL sizing die and then turn them. I'm assuming that the expanding ball will open the case neck up to the right diameter for my turner mandrel. The Sinclair mandrel mics .2755".

Is this plan adequate, or are there other things I should consider?

You will likely need a sizing mandrel that matches turning mandrel. Too tight a fit on the turning mandrel and you develop a lot of heat. Too lose and turn is not so uniform.
CW

 

[Straightshooter1]

You will likely need a sizing mandrel that matches turning mandrel. Too tight a fit on the turning mandrel and you develop a lot of heat. Too lose and turn is not so uniform.
CW

Ditto on this ^^^^^

I use a Sinclair turner and the Sinclair expander mandrel that's designed for that neck turner and there's a .001 difference between them.

You just have to be aware of sizing spring back so that you don't wind up being too tight.

 

[Bill Norris]

K & M makes mandrels that are sized correctly for expanding necks for turning.

 

[JFrank]

I made one phone call to Pat at PMA tools he hooked me up with everything I needed and had it to my door in just a couple days.

 

[LCazador]

Yep what the two guys above said use an expanding mandrel that's corresponds to the neck turner you own. You cannot use the expander in your sizing die. If you do this the neck thickness will vary and you will gall the inside of the necks with even more variation. Dimensions that you must true to have a consistent neck turn are: case length and case headspace. Full length sizing or shoulder bump, case length, and a corresponding expansion of the neck coincides with consistent run out and an accurate cut into the shoulder at exactly the point for an ultimately perfect neck turn! Lest we not forget! Do not take a bite of more than one and half thousands at a time when neck turning.

 

[Mulligan]

I made one phone call to Pat at PMA tools he hooked me up with everything I needed and had it to my door in just a couple days.

Pat at PMA is the BOMB!
Great tools that are a pleasure to use.
CW

 

[South Pender]

Thanks, guys. Can you explain how the expander mandrel would work? Is it in a die that you'd use like a neck-sizing die?

Edit: I just went to Sinclair to see the expander mandrels. They look just about identical to the turning mandrel I have. So how do you use them? Do you need a die body to incorporate the expander mandrel?

 

[Straightshooter1]

Thanks, guys. Can you explain how the expander mandrel would work? Is it in a die that you'd use like a neck-sizing die?

Edit: I just went to Sinclair to see the expander mandrels. They look just about identical to the turning mandrel I have. So how do you use them? Do you need a die body to incorporate the expander mandrel?

Yup.

And BTW, I'd highly recommend getting carbide turning and expander mandrel as they run much smoother than the SS mandrels and last a lifetime.

GENERATION II EXPANDER DIES | Brownells

Our Generation II Expander Dies completely capture the mandrel within the die so the mandrel cannot pull out. An O-ring in the die cap allows the mandrel to float a bit and find its own center within the case neck. All three Generation II dies are...

www.brownells.com

CARBIDE EXPANDER MANDRELS | Brownells

Sinclair Carbide Neck Expander Mandrels are ground from solid carbide stock, which yields closer tolerances and more lubricity. Carbide is also better at resisting galling which can leave behind material and scratch the inside of your necks. The s...

www.brownells.com

 

[INTJ]

I have a question about what procedures are desirable in connection with neck turning. I've read a number of different opinions on this and am not sure just how to proceed. I'm handloading a .270 Win. and thought I'd try neck turning for the first time. I had thought that I'd run my new Norma brass through my FL sizing die and then turn them. I'm assuming that the expanding ball will open the case neck up to the right diameter for my turner mandrel. The Sinclair mandrel mics .2755".

Is this plan adequate, or are there other things I should consider?

What problem are you trying to solve by neck turning in a chamber that doesn't require neck turning?

 

[LC Tikka]

I have a question about what procedures are desirable in connection with neck turning. I've read a number of different opinions on this and am not sure just how to proceed. I'm handloading a .270 Win. and thought I'd try neck turning for the first time.

Neck turn for a reason, if it's a humble factory hunting rifle don't bother with the expense or effort.
LC

 

[LHSmith]

^^^^^ What the last two guys said. You'll be miles ahead accuracy wise if you learn to use simple windflags to show when to shoot. Roll of survey ribbon ~ $3. These days you do not want to ruin ANY brass- and you will lose brass in the N.T. learning curve.

 

[HTSmith]

First of all I love the 270 Win. Second I’ve been where you are going and it ain’t worth it, unless you just don’t have enough neck clearance. Don’t forget you’ll likely need a bushing type sizing die also

 

[Martin52]

Thanks, guys. Can you explain how the expander mandrel would work? Is it in a die that you'd use like a neck-sizing die?

Edit: I just went to Sinclair to see the expander mandrels. They look just about identical to the turning mandrel I have. So how do you use them? Do you need a die body to incorporate the expander mandrel?

K&M has some good videos, this one might answer some of your questions:

How to: Neck Turner Setup

The K&M large caliber neck turner has a very unique cutter adjustment mechanism that allows for a very precise cutter adjustment.

kmshooting.com

The video does not show the expander - https://kmshooting.com/product/expand-mandrels/

After full length sizing, lube the inside of the case neck and with the expander screwed into the press, lower the handle, the neck then gets expanded and can then be turned.

 

[Intheshop]

I've done it,and in certain instances will continue.

One thing though,you need the metrology "kit" to go with it. Once there,start checking the brass before turning. I've been pretty durn impressed in the last cpl years at the consistency of "cheap brass". I just check them,and segregate obvious problems.

I use a B$S bench mic on a custom base. Pretty easy really.

 

[Rick300]

I definitely think it is worth it! Some of the biggest improvements to accuracy I have had on factory hunting rifles has been an 80% cleanup on the necks. Just don't overdo it and make the necks too thin as that will lead to other problems. And, if you are going to the trouble of turning necks, you might as well go all the way and trim to length, uniform primer pockets and de-burr flash holes. What the heck, it's only time!

 

[KY_Windage]

Thanks, guys. Can you explain how the expander mandrel would work? Is it in a die that you'd use like a neck-sizing die?

Edit: I just went to Sinclair to see the expander mandrels. They look just about identical to the turning mandrel I have. So how do you use them? Do you need a die body to incorporate the expander mandrel?

Yes, you buy the Sinclair die that holds the mandrel. You buy one die and use it on a dozen different calibers if you want. An ideal fit during turning is nice, but like last night, I had purchased some once-fired brass and wanted to turn the outside of the necks. Well, the fit was a tiny bit looser than I w/h liked but I went ahead. They may not be as perfect as they w/h/been if I had sized them and then mandreled, but they are a heck of lot more uniform than they were!

The problem is that the ideal size mandre for my bullets may not be ideal for my turning mandrel, so I can end up having to size and mandrel once for turning and then have to repeat for bullet seating. Remember, a lot of guys don't think turning is necessary at all.

 

[South Pender]

This has all been very helpful, guys. Thanks a lot. I do intend to do the other things mentioned--neck sizing with a Wilson bushing die, primer-pocket and flashhole uniforming, etc.

One thing I've just noticed: After neck sizing with a Redding die (not the bushing version), my Sinclair turning mandrel can be inserted into the necks. The fit is snug, but not overly tight. I can turn cases on the mandrel without excessive effort. I'm thinking that I may not actually need the expander mandrel step.

 

[foxguy]

Most Neck Turning Product Manufactures recommend that you use their turning products as a Matched Pair.
Ie. use the Expanding Mandrel and Turning Mandrel manufactured by the same Manufacture.
They Manufacture using tight tolerances. Ultimately it is your choice.

Yes the Expanding Mandrel will require a die to hold it, if I remember correctly it doesn't cost that much.

I chose to follow the manufactures recommendations as I don't like surprises and if I should have a problem and want to call the manufacture of the turner and ask a few questions they are going to ask you what expander you are using. They have no idea what size another manufactures expander diameter was manufactured to meet what diameter and will Mic at.