Damaged Expander Ball advice

[MisterHelix]

After resizing about a thousand pieces of brass, I disassembled my die to find the expander ball of my Hornady die chipped.

I have two questions:

1) how screwy will this lot of brass be? Should I resize it again or just shoot it and hope for the best?

2) what should I replace it with. I load for XTC on a Hornady progressive.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Did you find the missing piece?

 

[MisterHelix]

Did you find the missing piece?

No, but I resize as a separate step before trimming on the Giraud, then checking primer pockets, so it’s prolly not going to get loaded up and sent downrange.

 

[DirtySteve]

It is not on a bearing surface, so you should be fine.

 

[bozo699]

Was it pulling brass out with it when sizing?…. If not and if it didn’t induce runout and I doubt it did I wouldn’t hesitate loading and using the brass.
Wayne

 

[ronemus]

I use nothing but Hornady sizing dies - their elliptical expander has all the best features of a mandrel and more. The tangent tapers are very gentle, and it has a long constant-diameter shank. It's very good for folks who are wildcatting as the expander diameter starts out small. Concentricity has been very good, and I save a step vs. using a mandrel - a big win since I shoot a lot.

Give Hornady a call or send a message - they're good folks and will undoubtedly send you a free replacement. They do sell expanders since they are a wear item; I keep spare expanders and primer pins on hand to avoid a crisis.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

As Steve said, the chip is not at the position where the expander engages the case neck id. You should be fine. What lube do you use on the expander?

Frank

 

[MisterHelix]

As Steve said, the chip is not at the position where the expander engages the case neck id. You should be fine. What lube do you use on the expander?

Frank

Hornady one-shot spray lube.

 

[K22]

I agree with the others that said it should be fine since the defective area is not where the expander engages the case neck. As far as a replacement, I would just order another one and maybe a spare, they are relatively inexpensive. No need to change to an elaborate and / or expensive alternative if you are satisfied with your current system.

Interesting to say the least, never seen that before. Even with lot of resistance on the steel expander passing through the case neck and using "One Shot" lube which is not an ideal case lube in my experience, it's difficult to imagine that sizing brass cases could do that. I just wonder if there was a factory hairline, unnoticeable defect (crack) and it just gave way over time due to fatigue.

 

[divingin]

I had the plastic guide rod holder for the primer shuttle on my AP break. Reinforced it with a piece of aluminum bar, then called Hornady. They had a replacement part to me in a couple of days. I'm still using the reinforced broken part though.

Give them a call. Only reason I could see that they wouldn't replace it is if they didn't have any in stock. And they'd probably send it once they did get it.

 

[Webster]

After resizing about a thousand pieces of brass, I disassembled my die to find the expander ball of my Hornady die chipped.

I have two questions:

1) how screwy will this lot of brass be? Should I resize it again or just shoot it and hope for the best?

2) what should I replace it with. I load for XTC on a Hornady progressive.

Thanks for your help.

What could possibly chip it? Cannot image the force to chip it. Most carbon steels won't chip , they would stretch. A hardened steel would be more prone to chipping but sizing shouldn't create the force that would do it. The edge appearance will tell you if it's fractured or machined. Funny shape for a chip. If it's beyond the straight wall portion it shouldn't be involved with sizing? Ask the manufacturer if it's machined into the part.

Don't see any reason to think it damaged the brass as long as it doesn't scratch or scrape the i.d. Send the manufacturer your picture, they should send you a new one for free.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

By the looks of it and where it's at, you should be just fine.

 

[MisterHelix]

I emailed Hornady and they sent me out a new expander, pins, and spindle at no charge.

Pretty impressed with their service.

 

[ronemus]

They're also willing to make custom dies at very reasonable prices and fairly quickly. I've enjoyed working with them, especially Lonnie Hummel. I wonder if he's still there; I haven't talked with him in 15 years.