6.5 SLR case forming

[Ackley Kid]

While forming SLR cases from Lapua Palma brass I have encountered a couple problems ! First is that the necks are very thick which is not a real big surprise ( 17 thou ) when sized to .264 . Cases where sized 308 then 708 and 260 all full length sized without expander installed . Concentricity is quite good 1-1/2 thou or so . I have been using FL 6.5x47 die to step shoulder to 30* . Secondly neck turning cases ( Sinclair NT 4000 ) and ( PMA model A ) when new neck or tail end of neck so to speak is really tight after numerous trips over carbide expander mandrel . Anyone have tricks for this ? I have been taking several cuts to achieve 14 thou neck wall but neck still seems tight at neck shoulder ( area where shoulder is made into neck ) Any tips from others who have formed Lapua to SLR would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Ackley Kid

 

[HPMike800]

I shoot 6.5 slr. I eventually scrounged up a reamer that fit the inside of my fired neck and inside reamed them.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Turn them a bit before forming. Be sure to run into the shoulder just a bit making sure your cutter has the correct angle for your case. Less metal to form then- thats a lot when necking down. Another trick may be to cut in a few steps when at 6.5 running them into the correct bushing then over the correct expander again before turning. If it was me id turn them down a bit at 30cal, then .284- turn again, then turn 2 steps at 6.5. Forming brass is tough and requires a lot of tooling

 

[Ackley Kid]

Turn them a bit before forming. Be sure to run into the shoulder just a bit making sure your cutter has the correct angle for your case. Less metal to form then- thats a lot when necking down. Another trick may be to cut in a few steps when at 6.5 running them into the correct bushing then over the correct expander again before turning. If it was me id turn them down a bit at 30cal, then .284- turn again, then turn 2 steps at 6.5. Forming brass is tough and requires a lot of tooling

Thanks Dusty . The way I’m going at it now is generating ALOT of heat on the neck turning mandrel . Will give your method a go !

 

[XTR]

What is your application for the rifle? BR? Hunting?

 

[Mulligan]

I suspect using Peterson .243 small primer brass as a starting product may eliminate some of the work/frustration?
CW

 

[Ackley Kid]

What is your application for the rifle? BR? Hunting?

XTR rifle is back up rifle for F Class . Wanted to shoot 6.5 for 600 in . I use 284 and shehane for 8,9,1000 .

 

[Ackley Kid]

I suspect using Peterson .243 small primer brass as a starting product may eliminate some of the work/frustration?
CW

Thanks that was an idea as well I used Palma as it is readily available here in Canada . I understand that Peterson is making 260 SR as well . Just looking for a better mouse trap , I think that I definitely chose the long way around ....

 

[Ackley Kid]

I shoot 6.5 slr. I eventually scrounged up a reamer that fit the inside of my fired neck and inside reamed them.

I have inside reamer for my forester trimmer , can give that a whirl as well ?

 

[HPMike800]

Yes. If you can get the case sized correctly for the reamer I would.

 

[McHaggis]

I formed 308 Lapua case into 6.5CM and they too were really tight after 5 trips over the expander mandrel. The best way to get that sorted that I found is to anneal the cases.
I did this after the fact as I wasn't setup to anneal when I was forming the cases. Running the expander mandrel through annealed cases take WAY less effort.

 

[Ackley Kid]

I formed 308 Lapua case into 6.5CM and they too were really tight after 5 trips over the expander mandrel. The best way to get that sorted that I found is to anneal the cases.
I did this after the fact as I wasn't setup to anneal when I was forming the cases. Running the expander mandrel through annealed cases take WAY less effort.

Thanks will do . I have been messing around with Rem and like MR Whitley had indicated very easy to form . Lapua 260 , and Palma are very tight on the neck turning mandrel due to the thick shoulders , I presume Peterson will have the same grief . Turning in steps 308,284,264 has worked but requires quite a few passes . Ended up forming cases and neck back up to 284 to turn , size one more time and expand and finish cut neck turn at 264 for 14 thou neck wall .