Is it that simple?

[RetiredArmy]

Can I just remove the sizing button out of my Redding full length sizing die, size my brass, then use say a Sinclair sizing mandrel die to size neck and then seat bullet?
Is it that simple?
Thanks Bill

 

[Jud96]

That’s what I do. Works great.

 

[milboltnut]

it's an extra step. Does a mandrel do a better job sizing the neck or tension wise?

 

[Toolbreaker]

Yes sir, it's that simple. That's the process I use & works like a champ.

 

[caihlen]

Solid process. Great concentricity numbers and neck tension.

 

[Ccrider]

it's an extra step. Does a mandrel do a better job sizing the neck or tension wise?

It depends. If your necks are turned consistently-no. If you do not neck turn or do an inconsistent job turning the necks, the mandrel will give you more consistent neck tension.

 

[RetiredArmy]

Thanks for all the replies. Just placed back order from Sinclair!
Thanks Bill

 

[milboltnut]

It depends. If your necks are turned consistently-no. If you do not neck turn or do an inconsistent job turning the necks, the mandrel will give you more consistent neck tension.

good to know... kinda tedious to turn necks

 

[Patriot007]

I took my Forster FLS die and removed the top section of the die. ( Expander ball and stem ). Just the bottom half of this die will.,, When set up properly to bump your shoulder back .0020, and size the case neck down far enough to use my 21Century expanding Mandrel kit to expand the case neck to my desired case neck tension. It's That simple, just remember to anneal your brass after every firing. JM2C

 

[Ned Ludd]

If you're using a Redding FL re-sizing die with a bushing, you don't even have to use a mandrel to set the neck tension (interference fit). I have removed the expander ball from every Redding type S die set I have. For years, I relied solely on the appropriate bushing to achieve the desired neck tension, and it worked just fine. Although in recent years I have largely switched over to using the appropriately-sized mandrel [after re-sizing with the bushing die] as the final step for setting neck tension, I can't state with certainty that the extra mandrel sizing step makes the necks any better or more consistent. I believe it is, or I wouldn't do it. Nonetheless, the difference isn't so large that it is easy to quantify with any certainty. If you want to use a mandrel as the final neck sizing step, be sure to use a bushing that is about .001"-.002" smaller than you would if the bushing were to be the sole sizing step the necks were to receive. That way, the mandrel will actually be doing some work on every neck, opening them all up slightly to the final desired diameter. If you try to use a bushing that sizes the neck very close, or to the exact same diameter that the mandrel will achieve, the mandrel seems to provide less consistent results.

 

[Uncle Ed]

The Redding bushing die FAQ tells you if the neck thickness varies .002 or more you use the Redding expander to set the final inside diameter. This involves sizing the neck .002 to .003 smaller than neck turned brass.

Bottom line, Redding puts the expander in their bushing dies for a reason. The expander is there for those reloaders who do not neck turn.

Tech Line & Tips (FAQs)​

https://www.redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips-faqs

 

[K22]

Yes, as long as you are bumping the shoulder back .001 to .002 w/ your FL die for bolt rifles.

There is some recent test data that I read on the net that compared various method using bushings, expander balls and mandrels. The data showed that the method you're using produced the most uniform neck tension.

I've obtained adequate results using a set of expander ball assemblies polished to obtained about 3 to 4 different diameters. While not a precise as mandrels, I've gotten fairly uniform neck tension but I'm only shooting out to 300 yards at the most with the majority of my shoots under 275 yards.

If you're one of those long range guys or a bench shooter then I'd opt for the mandrel method if ultimate precision is your goal and I'd choose the Century 21 mandrels and their mandrel die.

 

[Iowa Fox]

Can I just remove the sizing button out of my Redding full length sizing die, size my brass, then use say a Sinclair sizing mandrel die to size neck and then seat bullet?
Is it that simple?
Thanks Bill

That's what I do on the ones that I don't have a busing die or Lee collet neck sizer with a Redding body die.for. After measuring what the expander does pulling back thru the neck I probably won't either no matter how much you polish the ball or lube the necks.

The 223 that get loaded on the Dillon will be the exception.

 

[Bill Norris]

On new very light turn clean-up brass I normally run the expander mandrel in the necks to uniform them. Then run the brass thru the neck bushing die and the bushing that I choose for the proper neck tension or at least a starting point. After this first sizing I ONLY use the F/L bushing die without the mandrel to bump the shoulders back and set neck tension. I have no issue with runout in any of the calibers I handload for.