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20TAC help

I'm having a 20TAC bolt rifle built and I was wanting to form some .223 Lapua, however, things go great until I run my case in to the Redding FL die.

The initial Redding Form #1 die does a very nice job with no problems, I then substitute the Form #1 die for the FL die and the image below is the result.

Does anyone have any suggestions or advice as to what might be going on?

Thank you!

IMG_8104.jpg IMG_8106.jpg

FLdie.jpg FormDie.jpg
 
I made my cases with 223 Lapua.
I tried the #1 form die, and found that is was not necessary, so I went directly to the Redding FL dies - the cases came out perfectly.
I sold the #1 form die.
I did anneal all the necks first.
Take the decapping rod and expander out when forming cases - put it back later if you use them. I don't. I decap in a separate step.
 
Last edited:
I'm having a 20TAC bolt rifle built

What neck is your rifle going to be? I shoot 20 Practicals with a .233 neck. Taking Lapua 223 brass (which has a thicker neck) and sizing it down to 20 caliber makes for a loaded neck of .231". Not much clearance.

Are you sure your expander isn't set too high? That will cause the neck to collapse.
 
I learned from the high set expander......thanks Jepp2. I'm not even going to mention lubing as that is a foregone conclusion....... for only if a stone noob would read this and I'm sure that wouldn't cause that type of collapse. I've never heard of, much less seen a case in that configuration. The more my "shop oriented" mind thinks about that, I'm betting what Jepp2 said. Also it seems some Lapua brass is a bit on the chubby side of late? Not sure what flavors though.
 
Take the decapping rod and expander out when forming cases
You nailed it John, I completely removed the expander from the die and it formed as it should. I'll be using a K&M Expandiron in the next step anyway
I made my cases with 223 Lapua.
I tried the #1 form die, and found that is was not necessary, so I went directly to the Redding FL dies - the cases came out perfectly.
I sold the #1 form die.
I did anneal all the necks first.
Take the decapping rod and expander out when forming cases - put it back later if you use them. I don't. I decap inn a separate step.
You nailed it John, I completely removed the expander from the die and it formed as it should. I'll be using a K&M Expandiron in the next step anyway so it will be prepped for the K&M micro adjust case neck tool.

Much appreciate the help!
 
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