New Lapua 6br brass so tight bullet won't seat even after expander

[jjhall91]

I have no idea how to proceed. I've got 200 new Lapua brass that I'm trying to fire form (Dasher) and can't get the lead in the case mouth without a fight. I've tried running it through the expander button and that doesn't even help.

It's so tight it backs off my Wilson Micro Seat Die The arbor press handle simply stops. I've had to take the seat die out of the arbor press and use a plastic mallet and when I do there's a very deep crease around the end of the bullet and seat depth is erratic from one bullet to another.

Is there a way to expand the neck other than the expander ball in the Redding die?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[rwj]

You can use an expander mandrel...
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...ls/generation-ii-expander-dies-prod38807.aspx

What is the ID of the case mouth as purchased?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you have ran an expander back thru them i suspect youre sizing them down to much to start with. Use a larger bushing and be sure to check the case mouth chamfer

 

[Bill Norris]

I have no idea how to proceed. I've got 200 new Lapua brass that I'm trying to fire form (Dasher) and can't get the lead in the case mouth without a fight. I've tried running it through the expander button and that doesn't even help.

It's so tight it backs off my Wilson Micro Seat Die The arbor press handle simply stops. I've had to take the seat die out of the arbor press and use a plastic mallet and when I do there's a very deep crease around the end of the bullet and seat depth is erratic from one bullet to another.

Is there a way to expand the neck other than the expander ball in the Redding die?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Was wondering what brand of die you are running the case thru prior to loading ?

 

[jjhall91]

If you have ran an expander back thru them i suspect youre sizing them down to much to start with. Use a larger bushing and be sure to check the case mouth chamfer

They're to tight right out of the box. When I used the expander I didn't have a bushing in the die and only had the expander clear the neck, not the body.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That is weird. Did you put a good vld chamfer in the case mouth?

 

[jjhall91]

You can use an expander mandrel...
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...ls/generation-ii-expander-dies-prod38807.aspx

What is the ID of the case mouth as purchased?

.266 for the first 100 and .266/.277 the second.

The expander mandrel you mention is just what I'm looking for, and cheap too. This can be adjusted to open the necks to the desired size?

I just re-read and see you mentioned ID. That could explain a lot! I'll see if I can measure it. Maybe thick neck?

 

[jjhall91]

That is weird. Did you put a good vld chamfer in the case mouth?

Yes. You wouldn't believe the time I've spent try to figure this out. If I force the bullet into the case, then use the hammer bullet puller a few times it will then go in using the arbor press.

 

[jjhall91]

Was wondering what brand of die you are running the case thru prior to loading ?

I'm not at the reloading stage, yet, as I can't get the darn lead in the case. When I do get to the reloading stage I'll be using a Redding Type "S" busing die.

 

[KMart]

What is the ID of the case mouth as purchased?

.266 for the first 100 and .266/.277 the second.

If the ID of the case mouth is .266, a .243 bullet or even a .257 bullet should just fall in

 

[JFrank]

I have no idea how to proceed. I've got 200 new Lapua brass that I'm trying to fire form (Dasher) and can't get the lead in the case mouth without a fight. I've tried running it through the expander button and that doesn't even help.

It's so tight it backs off my Wilson Micro Seat Die The arbor press handle simply stops. I've had to take the seat die out of the arbor press and use a plastic mallet and when I do there's a very deep crease around the end of the bullet and seat depth is erratic from one bullet to another.

Is there a way to expand the neck other than the expander ball in the Redding die?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I would Start completely over, with a Sinclair expander die using a .242 neck turning Mandrel to expand the brass chamfer as Dusty points out with a VLD tool, brush out with nylon brush.
My virgin brass is still very stubborn the first time ( go figure right) anyway I seat Bullets with a Forster ram style seating Die then the next time is on the Arbor press.
Life is good after that

 

[jjhall91]

.266 for the first 100 and .266/.277 the second.

The expander mandrel you mention is just what I'm looking for, and cheap too. This can be adjusted to open the necks to the desired size?[/QUOT

What is the ID of the case mouth as purchased?

What is the ID of the case mouth as purchased?



If the ID of the case mouth is .266, a .243 bullet or even a .257 bullet should just fall in

What is the ID of the case mouth as purchased?



If the ID of the case mouth is .266, a .243 bullet or even a .257 bullet should just fall in

If the ID of the case mouth is .266, a .243 bullet or even a .257 bullet should just fall in

My bad! I gave you the OD. I'll check the ID as a super thick neck could be the cause. I should have thought of that

 

[jjhall91]

I would Start completely over, with a Sinclair expander die using a .242 neck turning Mandrel to expand the brass chamfer as Dusty points out with a VLD tool, brush out with nylon brush.
My virgin brass is still very stubborn the first time ( go figure right) anyway I seat Bullets with a Forster ram style seating Die then the next time is on the Arbor press.
Life is good after that

I'm really excited about the expander mandrel. I've dealt with tight brass before, but nothing like this. rwj had a really good thought regarding ID/wall thickness. In any case the expander mandrel would be invaluable.

 

[jjhall91]

I really appreciate all the thoughts. I've got to believe it's the result of thick necks even though I don't have the right tool to measure (I will).

In any case, I just order an expander mandrel and micrometer to measure neck walls (amongst other things). I feel much better about the situation, now.

Thanks for the help, guys! The expander mandrel is the ticket.

 

[243winxb]

arbor press

Can it apply 35 to over 100 pounds to seat . Neck tension from .002" to .005"

I guess not.

Brass has a memory and after the expander is removed, it springs back. Firing will fix it.

At times like this, a Rock Chucker comes in handy to seat bullets.

 

[mikecr]

It doesn't take a rock chucker, nor rocket science to seat bullets.
A mandrel will set proper pre-seating interference, and a little dry lubricant will help until firing provides a carbon layer.

You can ALWAYS pre-seat with a mandrel, as you should never use bullets for neck sizing.

 

[carlsbad]

Please post a picture of the label of the box of bullets you are using.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Measure your expander in the die

 

[butchlambert]

This is the reason that I have a fireform barrel and fireform without a bullet.

 

[jjhall91]

Please post a picture of the label of the box of bullets you are using.

Will do! It'll just take a few minutes.