Expander ball or not for 308Win

[hlouw416]

I am using Redding type S dies and haven't being using an expander ball for years.With net chamber with less freebore I found when seating firts 60% to be easy on my Co_Ax but the last bit is sticky....EB back in?

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I use the expander ball to round the necks out, then run the brass in my bushing die without the expander to get desired neck tension.

I usually use another identical bore caliber die for rounding the necks with the expander ball but don't run them all the way up. Just enough to get the expander ball all the way through the neck. Then I use my bushing die for the second part. That way I'm using two dies to make it faster and not having to remove the decapping stem on my bushing die for the second step. I also have a Forster Co-ax, so swapping the dies is quick and easy.

If you have an expanding die with the proper mandrel for a neck turning tool, you can use that to round the necks out as well.

 

[Chappy]

I ditch the expander balls and use an expander die with mandrels that float within the die.

 

[chkunz]

A little more information as to application would be helpful, semi auto? bolt gun? What is net chamber?

 

[hlouw416]

Sorry!! FTR: Tight chamber: small base and .340 neck with neck turned Lapua brass. Thanks guys - your recommendations is appreciated!!

 

[fm1947]

I had a problem not using expander on a redding die 6mm br , I was cracking necks until I realized I took the expander off, why I have no idea when or how I took it off, put it back on problem solved

 

[Chappy]

Sorry!! FTR: Tight chamber: small base and .340 neck with neck turned Lapua brass. Thanks guys - your recommendations is appreciated!!

What are you turning your necks to for loaded round O.D.?

 

[Shynloco]

I ditch the expander balls and use an expander die with mandrels that float within the die.

I also use Chappy's method. BUT, for some who may not be aware, Redding sells a Carbide Button Kit that replaces the standard expander ball that I've used and found works betters and reduces those tougher strokes through the press during resizing or straightening necks. Info only.

Alex

 

[Chappy]

I ditch the expander balls and use an expander die with mandrels that float within the die.

I also use Chappy's method. BUT, for some who may not be aware, Redding sells a Carbide Button Kit that replaces the standard expander ball that I've used and found works betters and reduces those tougher strokes through the press during resizing or straightening necks. Info only.

Alex

I should of mention but that is for my factory guns using standard RCBS/Hornady grade dies. On my custom chambers I use a Redding Type S with a bushing that sizes the neck to the desired neck tension on a bullet that I want.

 

[Shynloco]

I also use Chappy's method. BUT, for some who may not be aware, Redding sells a Carbide Button Kit that replaces the standard expander ball that I've used and found works betters and reduces those tougher strokes through the press during resizing or straightening necks. Info only.

Alex

I should of mention but that is for my factory guns using standard RCBS/Hornady grade dies. On my custom chambers I use a Redding Type S with a bushing that sizes the neck to the desired neck tension on a bullet that I want.
[/quote]

Ditto - Stands to reason.

Alex

 

[Canadian bushman]

I use sinclair mandrels and custom cut mandrels floated in a type s neck die to size necks after down sizing. I feel it offers more consistent neck tension and run out than final sizing from the od.