Best way to make 6x47 Lapua brass?

[kombayotch]

I bought both the Redding bushing FL dies and the Forster non-bushing FL die. The bushing die works much better for me. Bushing doesn't get the entire neck, but the rounds chamber fine and shoot well.

Whenever I size down with the Forster FL die, I get short necks with crooked case mouths. The necks also have way too much neck tension. I'm going to send the Forster die in to get the neck opened up.

 

[ASbobcat]

Glad I read this. I was thinking of buying a Forster FL die, but now glad I didn't.
I use a Redding 6x47L body die for initial neck down, which brings the neck to .280. Then I run thru a Redding type-S bushing die with TN .270 bushing (actual ID .269). There is a small doughnut where the bushing doesn't touch and I trim this off with a neck turning tool. It would not be an immediate problem, but would become one as this brass flowed into the neck after repeated firing/resizing cycles.
I anneal after, although this step is probably not necessary for such a small change.
I have not encountered the "runout" issue reported by some during this process. This may be partially due to my use of a Forster CO-AX press, which allows the die to self-center.

 

[SG4247]

The 6x47 brass forming operation has been a major PITA for me. I have abandoned the Redding bushing die for initial brass forming because it created cronic donut problems. Even had a few that prevented the bolt from closing.

Next I tried the Redding FL die as several here had suggested. It necked the brass down too far, so much so that I could barely pull the expander ball back through. I then switched to a mandrel, which was very high effort also, and finally decided it was just not working. Abandoned the Redding FL die. Even had a long conversation with Redding about the die dimensions, which was a complete waste of my time.

Next, I bought a Forster FL 6x47 die and it works really well. If you use the expander on the initial brass forming operation, when pulled back through the neck, it irons out the donut. Next, I can use the bushing die to get the desired neck tension.

 

[ASbobcat]

The 6x47 brass forming operation has been a major PITA for me. I have abandoned the Redding bushing die for initial brass forming because it created cronic donut problems. Even had a few that prevented the bolt from closing.

Next I tried the Redding FL die as several here had suggested. It necked the brass down too far, so much so that I could barely pull the expander ball back through. I then switched to a mandrel, which was very high effort also, and finally decided it was just not working. Abandoned the Redding FL die. Even had a long conversation with Redding about the die dimensions, which was a complete waste of my time.

Next, I bought a Forster FL 6x47 die and it works really well. If you use the expander on the initial brass forming operation, when pulled back through the neck, it irons out the donut. Next, I can use the bushing die to get the desired neck tension.

Nice thing about Forster is that they will do a really nice job of honing the neck to your desired diameter, and it's cheap ($20, return shipping included) and fast turnaround. I would recommend .2695, because I think their tolerance is about +/- .0005.
If my current method didn't work so well, I would go this route.

 

[SG4247]

Thanks Bobcat,

I am currently sizing the Lapua brass neck OD to .2665" with the turned neck wall at .012" giving me about .242" neck ID.

 

[Tommie]

The necking-down process is as follows:
1) read and memorize a minimum of 72 books on the subject
2) schedule weekly appointments with a personal counselor
3) moderate anxiety with multiple medications
4) contemplate one's navel for at least two hours per day
5) lube cases
6) run them through full length sizer
7) trim cases and turn necks as needed

 

[Phil]

The necking-down process is as follows:
1) read and memorize a minimum of 72 books on the subject
2) schedule weekly appointments with a personal counselor
3) moderate anxiety with multiple medications
4) contemplate one's navel for at least two hours per day
5) lube cases
6) run them through full length sizer
7) trim cases and turn necks as needed

Repeat step #4 if necessary......

 

[Clavius-Walker]

Man, all I had to do was run them through a Forester 6br FL die once, had to adjust the die to the proper height but after that it was lube, size, load, it ain't rocket science.

 

[ASbobcat]

There is a potential problem that may become apparent when the brass is fired/resized many cycles.
Lapua 6.5x47L brass is the toughest stuff I've ever seen. And it's THICK, especially around the shoulder. I learned this the hard way in a misadventure trying to make 6Shiraz/Dasher cases from it.
Eventually this thick brass is going to flow into the neck after enough reloading cycles. I recommend careful checking of loaded neck O.D., especially if you have a tight neck chamber.
Some barrel makers are going to .273 or larger necks, possibly in anticipation of this. Pac-Nor is now offering .274.

 

[basshusker]

The 6x47 brass forming operation has been a major PITA for me. I have abandoned the Redding bushing die for initial brass forming because it created cronic donut problems. Even had a few that prevented the bolt from closing.

Next I tried the Redding FL die as several here had suggested. It necked the brass down too far, so much so that I could barely pull the expander ball back through. I then switched to a mandrel, which was very high effort also, and finally decided it was just not working. Abandoned the Redding FL die. Even had a long conversation with Redding about the die dimensions, which was a complete waste of my time.

Next, I bought a Forster FL 6x47 die and it works really well. If you use the expander on the initial brass forming operation, when pulled back through the neck, it irons out the donut. Next, I can use the bushing die to get the desired neck tension.

Out of curiosity what press?

 

[SG4247]

The massive shovel handle RCBS big Max press. BTW, this press is no longer made.

 

[okie]

The 6x47 brass forming operation has been a major PITA for me. I have abandoned the Redding bushing die for initial brass forming because it created cronic donut problems. Even had a few that prevented the bolt from closing.

Next I tried the Redding FL die as several here had suggested. It necked the brass down too far, so much so that I could barely pull the expander ball back through. I then switched to a mandrel, which was very high effort also, and finally decided it was just not working. Abandoned the Redding FL die. Even had a long conversation with Redding about the die dimensions, which was a complete waste of my time.

Next, I bought a Forster FL 6x47 die and it works really well. If you use the expander on the initial brass forming operation, when pulled back through the neck, it irons out the donut. Next, I can use the bushing die to get the desired neck tension.

this was my exact experience, the forster worked flawless for me with hardly any runout, the R. brand was giving me crooked mouths with as much as 12 thou. runout even with a carbide ball....