Bushing edges

[mshelton]

I've got a few bushings that have a little bit of a sharp edge, leaves a distinguishable line on the brass where the bushing stops.

Have any of you used anything to smooth out the edges on your bushings, maybe ISO paste or something like 1200g sand paper?

 

[Lapua40X]

I might try 1500 grit emery cloth
Who makes your bushings?

 

[mshelton]

I'll give that a try, they are some Redding and some Wilson ones.

 

[michaelnel]

Strange. I have about 10 Redding (TIN) bushings and they are all beveled on both ends.

 

[mshelton]

They are all beveled just the transition is a little sharp and causes some marks, just want to soften that edge up a tad.

 

[ballison]

Is it a mark around the neck near the shoulder, or vertical marks running from the mouth to the shoulder?

I've had vertical marks on the necks of new lapua brass after running them through a bushing. I called Redding about it, and they said it's normal for lapua to look like it's "scratched" the first time sized, but it goes away after the first shot. Not sure why, but I've seen it in 260, 22-250, and 308 brass.

 

[jlow]

A lot of times, the scratches are caused by copper galling at the edges. This is why you don't get scratches in the beginning but it shows up after you use the bushings a bit.

So two things to do.

One is to polish the edges using "Polishing Compound #7" which you can find at Ace Hardware - it's cheap! Put it on the end of a Q-tip and chuck that in a drill and it will do the job. Remember, you are just trying to take the edge off and not trying to change dimensions.

Second, when you use the bushing, put some Imperial sizing wax on the neck so that it will not gall.

If you do both, you will be fine.

 

[mshelton]

It's a ring around the neck, running parallel with the case mouth and shoulder. I'm pretty good about always using sizing wax.
Only happens with some of the bushings and it's really noticeable on soft brass like Nosler/Norma.

I'll give the polishing compound a try along with the 1500 sand paper on a couple of them.

Thanks

 

[artbosco]

I've got a few bushings that have a little bit of a sharp edge, leaves a distinguishable line on the brass where the bushing stops.

Have any of you used anything to smooth out the edges on your bushings, maybe ISO paste or something like 1200g sand paper?

Flip it over and use the concave edge, or leave it that way to show you distinctly how much of the neck you're actually applying tension to. About 70% is correct.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

another option to consider would be going with a neck bushing that has a radiused entry point like the bushings that Whidden Gunworks sell. With a smooth radiused edge you should not encounter the problem.

There is a description at the bottom of their products page: http://www.whiddengunworks.com/products/

 

[mshelton]

I've got a few bushings that have a little bit of a sharp edge, leaves a distinguishable line on the brass where the bushing stops.

Have any of you used anything to smooth out the edges on your bushings, maybe ISO paste or something like 1200g sand paper?

Flip it over and use the concave edge, or leave it that way to show you distinctly how much of the neck you're actually applying tension to. About 70% is correct.

Unfortunately the bushings in question are the same on both ends, must have been made on a friday.

 

[CatShooter]

I've got a few bushings that have a little bit of a sharp edge, leaves a distinguishable line on the brass where the bushing stops.

Have any of you used anything to smooth out the edges on your bushings, maybe ISO paste or something like 1200g sand paper?

Flip it over and use the concave edge, or leave it that way to show you distinctly how much of the neck you're actually applying tension to. About 70% is correct.

There is no concave edge - they are the same at both ends.

The problem of Redding Bushings scratching (sometimes "digging into") has been there for a long time.

It is due to the way they are made.

 

[jlow]

It's a ring around the neck, running parallel with the case mouth and shoulder. I'm pretty good about always using sizing wax.
Only happens with some of the bushings and it's really noticeable on soft brass like Nosler/Norma.

I'll give the polishing compound a try along with the 1500 sand paper on a couple of them.

Thanks

Sorry, my bad, was thinking you were seeing scratches on the neck.. : Need to read the OP more carefully.

Still the polishing compound should take that edge off. The “Polishing Compound #7” comes in two grade, a regular and a fine. I use both and with that you can get a mirror finish. BTW, works great on expander and collet die mandrels.

 

[Lapua40X]

Just noticed that there's been no comment of allowing the bushing to "float" in the die. It should have some unrestricted movement and not be secured too tightly in it's channel.
So there's no misunderstanding, 1500 emery cloth isn't the same as 1500 "sand paper". You don't want to use sand paper.