Need help forming 22BR cases

[johnnymac]

Trying to form cases for a 22BR and am puzzled by the results I’m seeing. I’m using brand new Lapua 6BR cases and running them through a standard Redding full length sizing die. After sizing the case mouth is no longer perpendicular to the neck.....not even close. If I remove the expander from the die and run a case through the die the case mouth looks fine. I’m assuming the problem is occurring when the expander is coming through the neck but I’m not sure how to fix the problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
John

 

[dnellans]

pics? is the brass base not centered properly on the die somehow?

 

[johnnymac]

Thanks for the reply...Sorry don’t have any pics at the moment but it looks as though the case was trimmed at an angle. One side of the neck is noticeably longer than the opposite side. The neck is still parallel to the body of the case.

As far as the case not being entered in the die....I suppose it’s possible just seems unlikely as I’m using the same press and shellholder I use to size my 6BR cases.

 

[Gabe22BR]

John, is this a bushing Die?

take the expander out completely!!
....Lube & form cases as usual...

Next-
Probably got to reinstall the expander to expand the necks back up to accept a bullet. Run the ball down some...

 

[bozo699]

Yes take the expander out then use a mandrel to open it back to desired size you might even use a couple different bushings and size it down in a couple of steps.
Wayne

 

[Burnt Powder]

My Redding bushing die set has a body only die in the set. I run the 6 mm cases through it first then through the bushing neck die. Trim and turn, then back through the smaller correct size bushing with expander in the die for final forming. I have a tight neck chamber so your process may be slightly different. I think the key to your problem is with your forming die. Get a body only die, it doesn’t take your neck down as much in one step as a typical full length sizing die.

 

[Justin B]

I had a issue & these are some things that helped a ton if you search my post I have pics of my issue for 22BR

1. Put a good to heavy chamfer on the brass
2. Use Imperial wax this helps
3. I left the expander in but I did need to adjust the height of it so the necks did not get messed up this was KEY

 

[rogn]

If you have to use the acursed expander ball make sure the inside of the case necks are well lubed. It would not be a bad idea to remove the expander and examine it for tool marks or galling. Polishing it with nothing finer than 400 wet or dry used wet will help also. Applying some dry lube to the ball with a Q tip every few vases will probably help too. Or to simplify life do as bozo699 said and just use a mandrel to expand the necks, lube well . Most of your problems will go away at that point.
Expander balls are not really a good thing.

 

[JSH]

I made some from 7BR brass before my 6 showed up.

Chamfer inside and out.

If you have a 6BR die, size with the decap removed.
(As far as that goes remove it from ALL when forming)

This is how I did it.
Run brass in about 1/3 or less of the neck length, real easy. A lot is by feel, we are not cracking walnuts here, if it feel odd, it probably is.
I run the whole batch through at this length.
Now screw down and go another 1/3.
The same on the last 1/3.
I had my best luck this way and didn’t trash any.

If your in a hurry.
Set die to FL bottom out on the holder.
Run it up part way, then turn case 1/2 turn, run up part way again and another half turn till FL sized.
My result this way left a lot to be desired with the end product.

FL sizing the body the first time will eliminate needing any lube. Do not lube the out side of the neck, you will end up with dents and creases. $1 a piece brass will make you cringe when you start ruining them.

If you have a no turn neck, great. Just run it over a tapered expander or a mandrel. Why all die makers don’t use a tapered expander I will never understand.

I would still take a skim cut with a neck turner and then go to the neck shoulder junction and cut the donut off.

Prime, and go make small groups.
This is a cartridge I wish I had played with 30 years ago.
Jeff

 

[billslatteryjr]

Split the difference between 6BR and 22BR almost in half by using a FL no-bushing 6BR die without the expander before using the 22BR die. That'll cut your runout down considerably.

 

[cdngary]

Best way I have found is to run your lubed 6br brass into the 22 br seater die with out the stem first then into the sizing die. Makes every thing come out pretty close. You probably will have to trim to length.