Expander ball or mandrel

[dbaird]

Which to you prefer for expanding necks after running through fl sizer (a mandrel of expander ball)?

 

[drop_point]

I use a mandrel.

 

[just_jon]

Mandrel

 

[bozo699]

For me it depends on what I’m sizing and what the ammunition is for. Benchrest gets the mandrels, for hunting usually use the correct bushings and size my expander ball accordingly, if for some reason I just have a standard unaltered die off the shelf I use a mandrel, if it ends up being something I use much I’ll buy a better die. Back in the day I was of the belief that .001-.002 neck tension was my target and what was needed, I now let my target tell me what I need and find it generally likes more than that number.
Wayne

 

[3Ackleys]

I use bushings with no expander. I usually buy 3 or 4 bushings to start with.

 

[6.5 forever]

Mandrel.

 

[GLShooter]

I using bushings on everything but 223.

 

[Ned Ludd]

I remove the expander ball on every re-sizing die straight out of the box. Although I have never had any issue using an expander ball, I don't like the idea of pulling an over-sized ball back through a neck right after I just finished sizing it with a bushing. For those that have experienced a problem with runout, it is not uncommon for it to trace back to the expander ball. I find the use of mandrels after a bushing die to be very reliable in terms of final neck tension (interferenc fit) consistency. I use the 21st Century mandrels and keeps sets that contain several different sizes for each of the cartridges/calibers I reload.

 

[Murray Brook]

The only time I use an expander ball is with a honed die that only needs .002-.003 expansion. Most other times I use an expander mandrel or often use a Lee Collet die to get the neck where I want it.

 

[bozo699]

I remove the expander ball on every re-sizing die straight out of the box. Although I have never had any issue using an expander ball, I don't like the idea of pulling an over-sized ball back through a neck right after I just finished sizing it with a bushing. For those that have experienced a problem with runout, it is not uncommon for it to trace back to the expander ball. I find the use of mandrels after a bushing die to be very reliable in terms of final neck tension (interferenc fit) consistency. I use the 21st Century mandrels and keeps sets that contain several different sizes for each of the cartridges/calibers I reload.

Like you I have a multitude of mandrels and bushings for each caliber,… nothing pisses a guy off worse is working with a new cartridge and have to order a mandrel or bushing before he continues. When I worked at ATK I had a tool and die man there build me some mandrels in 6 and 6.5 in .0005 increments, there top notch and a few bushings that are actually true in size.
Wayne

 

[Straightshooter1]

Which to you prefer for expanding necks after running through fl sizer (a mandrel of expander ball)?

Mandrel!!!

 

[mgdietrich]

What is the ammo for? What rifle is it going in? If a factory gun, AR, etc the an off the shelf die/expander will do just fine. What are your accuracy requirements.

 

[6Creed73]

I hate expander balls. First thing I do when I get a die is remove it. When I first started reloading many moons ago, I was beating my head against the wall trying to figure out why my shoulder bumps were not consistent. It was the expander ball pulling the shoulder back out.

Moved to mandrel and never looked back.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Forster die with their high set expander ball. The easy button.

 

[mikecr]

Mandrel

 

[Oso]

I find myself wondering if the best practice for precision shooting are reasonable for generic bulk reloading. Does the answer change if it is Range Brass being sized for AR15 or factory deer rifle? What if using standard Hornady Die Set ($30)?

Most entry-level dies excessively size the necks. First, the neck ID of die often undersize the neck by as much .005”-.015” (overwork). Second, the oversized expander ball goes to excess in opposite direction. This excessive case sizing is byproduct of die manufacturer’s attempt to right-size any/all cases (varying neck thicknesses and spring back).

Is there any benefit to using the factory die setup for an initial resizing of Range Brass in attempt to get miscellaneous cases to a similar base line? Does the factory die with expander ball do a good job of smoothing out the case neck leading to a more uniform wall thickness across range of cases (various headstamps)

 

[NorCalMikie]

I don't like the idea of pulling an over-sized ball back through a neck right after I just finished sizing it with a bushing.

With every "upstroke", the OAL of the case gets longer. Next step is trimming and no need to trim if the OAL doesn't keep getting any longer? Precision Bushing bump dies will cure that problem.
There's one more step in that process. Measure your actual chamber length. Write that # down and refer to it BEFORE you even think about trimming. Once you cut that case, you can't put that length back.

 

[PatMiles]

Gauge pins (mandrel) in a Porter Precision Products expanding die.

 

[Ned Ludd]

With every "upstroke", the OAL of the case gets longer. Next step is trimming and no need to trim if the OAL doesn't keep getting any longer? Precision Bushing bump dies will cure that problem.
There's one more step in that process. Measure your actual chamber length. Write that # down and refer to it BEFORE you even think about trimming. Once you cut that case, you can't put that length back.

LOL. I don't have a problem. I remove the expander ball...problem solved.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Just change one parameter at a time - nah. I wanted scores to improve - so AMP annealer, Super Trickler V4, couple of new barrels, some new dies and a full mandrel set up.

Now, if I could get to read the wind...seriously - the kit has improved my reloading quality - and my brass life.