Expanding case necks

[dbaird]

When using a carbide mandrel to round out necks of new brass what type of lube if any do you use?

 

[Milo 2.0]

I myself use a spray type, one shot, Dillon, etc.. I use a home brew spaying into the necks, way to slow for Imperial, as each case needs it, gets scraped off mandrel each stroke.

 

[Gabe22BR]

I use Sinclair's neck turn lube. Seen somewhere on here the slick 50 will work also...

 

[1shot]

Imperial Sizing Die Wax.
All mine are headed to the neck turning tool next anyhow, so this is a natural progression for the lube.

Lloyd

 

[Sniper338]

^^^^^^^^^^ same here..

 

[chkunz]

I do not use any lube for this step. It never occurred to me that it is needed for this operation. I am surprised that others use lube for this. I am not aware that this has caused me any problems. But I may be missing something. I am sure that those who use lub will jump in and explain why they think it is necessary.

 

[1shot]

chkunz,
Even though you are using a carbide mandrel, you run the risk of galling the case neck. Yes it is substantially less with carbide, but anytime you are dealing with a press fit situation galling is a possibility. If this happens, you now have an abraded surface that you are seating a bullet on. Probably not real good for accuracy and consistency.
Others may have other thoughts, but this is why I lube the brass before every process.

Lloyd

 

[MrMajestic]

Dry graphite with ceramic beads. For turning I use Ballistol. Just what works for me....

 

[jlow]

I have in fact seen galling first hand and once it gets on the mandrel, the brass that comes after will be affected so you don't get consistent seating pressure. Imperial is the way to go.

 

[Shynloco]

Imperial Sizing Die Wax.

Lloyd

Yep! That and a cue tip. Works for me nicely.

Alex

 

[dmoran]

For a carbide expander, no lube is needed. For tool steel, then yes.
Donovan

 

[rardoin]

Dry graphite with ceramic beads.

Same here...and I use the HSS expander with no galling.

 

[mikecr]

I agree with Donovan.
I run an expander mandrel through each neck just prior to seating a bullet in that neck. The dry carbon layer in my necks provides perfect seating lube and no other is better or needed.

Any 'galling' with this(it's not galling) is not caused by the hardened expander, but by some contaminant introduced, that is being impinged into the soft brass surface. Maybe in vibratory media, I don't know.

 

[ShootDots]

When using a carbide mandrel to round out necks of new brass what type of lube if any do you use?

When I am prepping NEW VIRGIN brass for neck turning, I use a carbide expander mandrel and a light coating of Imperial Sizing Wax on about every 5th case done. AFTER the brass has been prepped and fired, I will use the same expander mandrel with NO LUBE to run the sized cases up over the mandrel and then brush out the case necks with a "carboned-up" case neck brush to put a light smooth film of carbon in the neck, prior to loading. This makes for consistent and very smooth seating. As a matter of fact, with VIRGIN brass, prepped the way I prep them, and applying a light coating of Imperial DRY Neck Lube prior to charging and seating, I get just as good accuracy as once fired brass! But a mandrel is ALWAYS used whether virgin brass or fired brass. There is nothing "straighter" for case necks than a mandrel!

 

[Milo 2.0]

Where can you buy carbide expanders, I guess mine are TIN, they do need lube?

 

[JRS]

Where can you buy carbide expanders, I guess mine are TIN, they do need lube?

PMA

 

[ShootDots]

Where can you buy carbide expanders, I guess mine are TIN, they do need lube?

I get my carbide mandrels from PMA.. They make excellent products..

 

[Milo 2.0]

Thanks guys!

 

[BowGuy]

I get my carbide mandrels from PMA.. They make excellent products..

Anybody have a link to PMA mandrels?
Thanks

 

[Langey]

Anybody have a link to PMA mandrels?
Thanks

PMA Tool: http://www.pmatool.com/neck-turning-equipment/