Lapua 284 brass?
- Thread starter jp
- Start date
JP
You have to expand the necks on 6.5X284 Lapua brass to .284. I do this with a set of three mandrils, the last of which is the mandril for my neck turner. Neil Jones Custom Products will make you mandrils in any sizes you want so I use two of his and the K&M to take it up in steps. Someone suggested I use a Hornady FL sizing die with and eliptical expander to do it in one step but it split the neck on the first case I tried.
You have to expand the necks on 6.5X284 Lapua brass to .284. I do this with a set of three mandrils, the last of which is the mandril for my neck turner. Neil Jones Custom Products will make you mandrils in any sizes you want so I use two of his and the K&M to take it up in steps. Someone suggested I use a Hornady FL sizing die with and eliptical expander to do it in one step but it split the neck on the first case I tried.
I neck-up in one pass with a Sinclair expander mandrel, no issues so far and no split necks - fingers still crossed at $1 a case...
If you expand up the 6.5 neck with a mandrel to 7mm you will sometimes,to often) split the necks if you are expanding in a press with a lot of flex. The stiffer the press,Redding Ultra Mag for example) the less chance of split necks.
Another tip to keep from spliting necks is to use a case that is already expanded and keep it set aside in a container for when you start a new batch of expanded necks. Lube the inside of the neck and the mouth of the neck on the already expanded brass to 'prime' the expander mandrel for the first new expansion on the tighter neck.
A two-step expander process would be better - a PITA - but better. It would be a lot of work, but I like the TonyR technique. Especially with the high cost of Lapua brass.
Favor center,
Jim Hardy
Another tip to keep from spliting necks is to use a case that is already expanded and keep it set aside in a container for when you start a new batch of expanded necks. Lube the inside of the neck and the mouth of the neck on the already expanded brass to 'prime' the expander mandrel for the first new expansion on the tighter neck.
A two-step expander process would be better - a PITA - but better. It would be a lot of work, but I like the TonyR technique. Especially with the high cost of Lapua brass.
Favor center,
Jim Hardy
Here is what I have found works for me no neck turn cases.
Starting with 6.5 X .284 Lapua Brass.
I have both the Redding tapered expander,not ball type) and the Hornady Custom dies. I have both Redding 'S' type dies and Redding Full length dies.
Lube with imperial sizing wax inside and out the necks. Lube the outside necks, bodys and webs. Take your time and you should not split or crush any cases. There is not that much difference in the 6.5 and the 7mm. I also shoot a .30 X .284 an they size without any problems.
To prevent neck donuts I expand and then go back and full length size in a full length sizing die. Then trim.
Charles Ballard has a detailed post on this website on his reloaing set-up.
Nat Lambeth
Starting with 6.5 X .284 Lapua Brass.
I have both the Redding tapered expander,not ball type) and the Hornady Custom dies. I have both Redding 'S' type dies and Redding Full length dies.
Lube with imperial sizing wax inside and out the necks. Lube the outside necks, bodys and webs. Take your time and you should not split or crush any cases. There is not that much difference in the 6.5 and the 7mm. I also shoot a .30 X .284 an they size without any problems.
To prevent neck donuts I expand and then go back and full length size in a full length sizing die. Then trim.
Charles Ballard has a detailed post on this website on his reloaing set-up.
Nat Lambeth
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