Has anyone tried the new Wilson expander mandrel die?

[logandiana]

I have only seen 1 review online. Does anyone have any real world experience/feedback and how they might compare to 21st Century or Sinclair mandrel dies?

 

[miningshawn]

Following

 

[22vartarg]

I have both the Wilson and the Sinclair mandrel dies. I much prefer the Wilson with the cutout window and the size of the die ( More for a standard length). The mandrel has to be screwed in and out to change them unlike the Sinclair which just drop in. I started out with the Wilson for .224, 6mm and 6.5mm, but they did not have a 20 caliber. So that is where the Sinclair comes in. I feel the Wilson in smoother on the brass, but both work well.

 

[TylerFromMS]

I’ve got all 3. I like the carbide Sinclair ones the best. The window is nice on the 21st and Wilson. Operationally, I can’t tell a huge difference. The Wilson is the nicest made. The Sinclair floats. The 21st has various sizes. It may actually be a K&M, not 21st, but I can’t remember. It’s all pretty much the same.

 

[logandiana]

I have both the Wilson and the Sinclair mandrel dies. I much prefer the Wilson with the cutout window and the size of the die ( More for a standard length). The mandrel has to be screwed in and out to change them unlike the Sinclair which just drop in. I started out with the Wilson for .224, 6mm and 6.5mm, but they did not have a 20 caliber. So that is where the Sinclair comes in. I feel the Wilson in smoother on the brass, but both work well.

What is the measurements do they have? I haven’t seen an indication of this anywhere. Have you mic’d them? Are they .002 or .001?
Also the Sinclair and others seem to all have some ‘play’ in them. Do the Wilson have this as well?
Thanks!

 

[22vartarg]

What is the measurements do they have? I haven’t seen an indication of this anywhere. Have you mic’d them? Are they .002 or .001?
Also the Sinclair and others seem to all have some ‘play’ in them. Do the Wilson have this as well?
Thanks!

The .224 mics out at .223. The 6 mm one mics out at .242 and the 6.5 at .263. So it looks like they’re running about .001 under. There is no play or wiggle in the Wilson die unit.

 

[22vartarg]

this is the Wilson mandrel unit.

 

[skeeljc]

I like the one from Porter Precision Products. It uses a CNC collet to hold gauge pins. Gauge pins are available in .0005" increments for about $5 each. Porter sells them with a taper on one end for $10 each. Each pin is available in a +or- size (go/no go). The pins are tool steel so they can wear but at $5 each that is acceptable (use Imperial neck lube).

The Porter die with the precision collet assures the pin is axially aligned with your press. My MEC Marksman has a floating shell holder. I use the gauge pin as the final step in setting the neck tension and my reloads are always less than .002" t.i.r. concentricity and often within .001" t.i.r.

 

[swd]

I also have the Porter, it’s a nice tool and using gage pins is the way to go.

 

[PatMiles]

One more vote for the Porter. Much more versatile by using gauge pins. Use a common ER-16 collet that allows the use of up to 40 different pin gauges. A 6mm collet accepts .236"-.276" pin gauges. Gauge pins and ER-16 collets are available from Porter, Amazon, Ebay or from any machine tool supplier.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I had to modify my porter. He hurredly dismissed my suggestions leaving only crickets so i cut it off myself so it would work with a ppc case. 21st started offering the assorted mandrels in the sizes needed so most people went that route around that time. Looks like he may be making different lengths now so thats good. The 21st will do all the cases needed without mods.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I went with the Sinclair(couple years ago after reading here about mandrel/neck tension), due to cost and convenience of caliber change. I hit the mandrel(I have the 0.002 under ones) with one shot if only prepping a few.

 

[PatMiles]

I had to modify my porter. He hurredly dismissed my suggestions leaving only crickets so i cut it off myself so it would work with a ppc case.

I had the same problem but just positioned the gauge pin deeper into the collet.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I had the same problem but just positioned the gauge pin deeper into the collet.

Mine ran out of collet before it got there but is an early model