neck expanding 308 to 338

[cdog]

Hi all...
Looking to build a 338 federal for a light hunting rig on a 600 mow hawk action.
I'm in love with lapua brass because of my 22br... so I'll be in need of expanding 308 brass to 338...
I have a co-ax press.
I'm looking for opinions on redding...Sinclair or k&m tooling.(or others).
I've never had to neck expand before so I'm looking for advice...thanks!
CDog.

 

[cdog]

Perhaps this would be better received in the reloading section?

 

[jonbearman]

I would look at the PMA tools as I really like the design of the expander itself.I think they fit other expander bodys as well,but call and tell them what you are doing.

 

[TonyR]

Neil Jones Custom Products makes expander mandrels in any size you want. Figure out how many steps you want and he can make you the sizes you want.

http://www.neiljones.com/

 

[cdog]

Thanks guys....I'm also curious if there is a preferred system for multiple sizes....in case down the road I want to do other calibers.
What would be the easiest system with interchangeable mandrels?

 

[TonyR]

Neil has a die that fits into the press with standard threads. The mandrels screw into the die and set wih a lock nut. I have several of the dies and about a dozen mandrels for different calibers and intermediate steps. You should be able to get to 338 from 30 cal in no more than htree steps, the last being the sizing to fit your neck turner. I had him make me expanders to work with my neck turner but you could just as well use whatever expander the turner maker has for his tools as the last step. Mine are sized so that freshly turned cases have the right neck tension to shoot them without further sizing or expanding.

 

[cdog]

Thanks again....but will I actually have to neck turn? I do have the Forster hand held neck turner.
I guess I had the impression that the last expander step would be a tad oversize so the sizing die would give me my proper tension...but perhaps that's working the brass one more step than is really required?

 

[Preacher]

When I use a K&M expander to open my .284 cases up to 338 I just do it in one pass and load them right out of the expander die.. Seems to be a perfect fit for me...

 

[cdog]

You don't have runout issues doing it in one pass?
So your suggesting getting a mandrel just a few thou under bullet size n load?

 

[Preacher]

I run all my new brass through a K&M expander, no matter what caliber, and shoot it that way, I never noticed a major runout issue..
A few .000 under bullet diameter sounds about right..