Short Die Body for Expander Mandrel

[257Roberts]

I've hit a snag reloading 25-20 WCF. The RCBS cowboy dies do NOT include and expander button, or at least my set didn't. I tried a button from a 257 Roberts RCBS, but of course the stem threads are totally different. Awesome.

So I dug out my Sinclair expander mandrel and die body, but these are set up for longer cases, like 2" plus or minus. With 25-20 WCF at 1.330", the shell holder contacts the doe body before I get full neck expansion on the mandrel.

So my options are, find the proper sizing button, get a new FL die with proper sizing button, or find a shorter expander die body. Curious what other folks do for short cases like 6ARC, 6BR, PPC etc.???

 

[bozo699]

My Sinclair expander die works fine in 6br cases, I have no experience with a 25-20 other than my Grandmother had one.
Wayne

 

[257Roberts]

I tried to line everything up for a photo. Only about 1/2 - 2/3 the neck is getting expanded.

 

[257Roberts]

Close up of the case.

 

[Mulligan]

The PMA expander die body is short enough for my WalDog
Get with Pat

CW

 

[Oso]

21st Century standard expander die (no peekaboo window) works fine for short cases, such as 20 Vartarg, 300BO, 6.5 Grendel. All of these are shorter than a BR variant. A 300BO has a case length of 1.360” +- .010”.

 

[Ringostar]

I agree with Clay posted above. The PMA or 21st Century expander die and mandrel will do what you’re looking for.

 

[bozo699]

I tried to line everything up for a photo. Only about 1/2 - 2/3 the neck is getting expanded.

I see what your saying I may have lied to ya maybe I’m using my 21st century’s die body, I have several different ones, the first one I bought was a Sinclair 4000 neck turner that came with expander die but I bough Johns and Pats and a couple K&M’s which I’m not fond of but used them on ppc
Wayne

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Take the die body to a local machine shop and have them shorten the body by the amount you think is needed, either top or bottom or half from each end. Just be sure enough intenal threads are left for the mandrel. Or you could also remove material from the top of the shell holder if you come up a little needing a little more.

Frank

 

[bozo699]

Take the die body to a local machine shop and have them shorten the body by the amount you think is needed, either top or bottom or half from each end. Just be sure enough intenal threads are left for the mandrel. Or you could also remove material from the top of the shell holder if you come up a little needing a little more.

Frank

Can’t from the top, would have to be the bottom.
Wayne

 

[PhilKeil]

Have you called RCBS?

 

[Trigger-Jerker]

21st century makes a short die body.

 

[DJSBRS]

Send them to me and I'll do them for free.

DJ
DJ's Brass Service

 

[LVLAaron]

Hacksaw the bottom. Doesn’t need to be pretty to be functional. Or let someone with a lathe trim it

 

[hoz53]

I've hit a snag reloading 25-20 WCF. The RCBS cowboy dies do NOT include and expander button, or at least my set didn't. I tried a button from a 257 Roberts RCBS, but of course the stem threads are totally different. Awesome.

So I dug out my Sinclair expander mandrel and die body, but these are set up for longer cases, like 2" plus or minus. With 25-20 WCF at 1.330", the shell holder contacts the doe body before I get full neck expansion on the mandrel.

So my options are, find the proper sizing button, get a new FL die with proper sizing button, or find a shorter expander die body. Curious what other folks do for short cases like 6ARC, 6BR, PPC etc.???

if that happens to me i take a pin gage of the proper size and clamp it in an rcbs collet bullet puller. ive got about all the collet sizes in the range i use. has worked good for me
i have pin gage sets to but you can get them individually