308 Sinclair Expander or Mandrel?

[nfngun]

Ok ..

I've been using an carbide expander ball for 3 years its been working well but I have decided to give the Sinclair Expander a try. The Carbide seems to be a no brainer but the .002 would leave more tension then the .001" stainless expander.

so which should i get?

Carbide .002 or Stainless .001 plan to order tonight.

I get sub .0015 runout usually .001 with my Redding neck and ball, so this is more or less to try to achieve more uniform neck tension, if its even possible. It this point i think i'm trying to split hairs that cant be split.

 

[cwall64]

I was trying to figure the same thing out last night! I just ordered the standard expander to give it a try first, $9.99 vs $49.99... If I want more bullet hold, then i can order the more expensive one - hope i made the correct choice!

 

[chkunz]

I use the expander mandrel and with the brass spring back I get 0.001 to 0.003 neck tension. I try to get close with the neck bushing and then just finish up with the mandrel.

 

[SheepDog]

I really like the carbide expanders that come with my carbide neck size dies. They don't require any lube so you don't have to clean them after sizing.

 

[rox]

Carbide .002 or Stainless .001 plan to order tonight.

Neither.

Get a carbide 0.001 - the best of both worlds.

PMA Tool PCX-1030
http://www.pmatool.com/30cal-carbide-expanding-mandrel/

I switched to this from the Sinclair 0.002 carbide. It works great for me.
PMA told me this about the dimensions:

The specs for our PCX-1030 Carbide Expanding Mandrel is .03067-.3070", for the PCM-1030 Carbide Neck Turning Mandrel is .3057-.3060".

They will both work with any Sinclair equipment.

 

[nfngun]

Lucky for me i didn't order that night ... Thanks for the link ..
$56 its just so painful ... is carbide really that expensive?

Neither.

Get a carbide 0.001 - the best of both worlds.

PMA Tool PCX-1030
http://www.pmatool.com/30cal-carbide-expanding-mandrel/

I switched to this from the Sinclair 0.002 carbide. It works great for me.
PMA told me this about the dimensions:

 

[amlevin]

Lucky for me i didn't order that night ... Thanks for the link ..
$56 its just so painful ... is carbide really that expensive?

Simple answer - Yes.

 

[1banger]

Just got a PMA Carbide expander. Here is a pic of it next to my stainless mandrel on the left.

Different taper and actually looks a little smaller in diameter to the stainless one. But they both measure the same at .223. So far I feel like it is a noticeable improvement over the stainless. Less friction when expanding and gives me a better feel for when the case neck is where I want it.

Must be working because I am getting some the best SD's I've ever had with my .223 AI rounds.

 

[nfngun]

Looks like i'm going to end up going carbide. trying to get rid of the gear i'm not useing before i buy more clutter...

 

[nfngun]

UPDATE: the Mandrel has been sitting on the bench for a few weeks .. one of these days ill get around to testing it out