Expander mandrel??

[Dave223]

Hello all,

I purchased some competition series Redding dies from Sinclairs for my 6BR and some new Lapua brass locally. When I opened the die set I did not find any expander mandrel.

I was under the impression that it would be supplied with the set. Am I wrong? New to reloading here so learning as I go.

Thanks, Dave

 

[Rustystud]

I too ordered a Redding 30 caliber,tapered) carbide expander. It came with with no screw assembly or pin to fit in my die. I thought I was clear that I wanted to get everything needed to just switch out the 6mm expander and screw in the tapered 30 caliber expander. I now am assuming that every from Redding other than a complete die set is alcart.
Rustystud

 

[tenring]

I found expanding from 6mm to 308 pretty difficult and I ruined many pieces of Lapua brass. I happened to have a K&M .264 expander and I bought their .308. Now I lube the inside of each neck good and the expander before each pass. Opening the necks from 6mm to .264, then to .308 makes it easy and I don't waste good brass.

 

[ChuckMiller]

As mentioned you will not get an expander with the comp neck sizing die set. Like most comp sets the thought is not to squeeze the neck down and push it back out but to size it minimaly using the correct size bushing. Wilson uses the same concept, no expander, size down a couple thou and load.

 

[Dave223]

Oh ok. Thanks guys, yes I did get the neck sizing die with the bushing and micrometer top.

So Chuck, you say that the idea is to only size with the bushing, but I thought with new Lapua brass it might be a little tight in the case mouth.

I went ahead a loaded some rounds anyway and didn't have any trouble with the brass.

Is that what you guys would do?

Dave

 

[Dave223]

Thank you gunamonth. Yes I guess I am fire forming the first lot of cases, all 99 of them. One I am embarrassed to talk about.
I'll do what you recommend and go measure the loaded neck size.

Thanks again,
Dave