Newbie Q about expanding necks in new brass

[cmysix]

OK going to start my foray into Metallic reloading, My question is, When starting with BRAND NEW NEVER FIRED BRASS. You know how some of the necks are dented, Do you just use a expander mandrel to fix that? 2 thou under bullet diameter? do all of the brass whether dented or not? TY!

 

[Bill Norris]

Yes, I run an expander in all the necks of new unfired brass. It will reduce the neck tension down to where I like to start @ .002 below bullet diameter and smooth out all the dents and uneven spots on the neck.

 

[Bronsin]

You can either use an expander mandrel, or just run it into your sizing die.

 

[mgunderson]

Run it though your dies. Be sure to use a little lube or the dies might be a little aggressive on the inside of the neck.

 

[cmysix]

I have the 21st century expander mandrel's

 

[Dgd6mm]

I have the 21st century expander mandrel's

By all means do them. More consistent neck tension.

 

[Bill K]

I just run it through my FL size die, but don't bump the shoulder back.

 

[358WCF]

I just run it through my FL size die, but don't bump the shoulder back.

Unless it needs it. I had some Alpha 7-08 that was a bit snug in my chamber which is a good thing as I see it. It's better than too short & getting that faint ring down low after the 1st firing.

After making sure the necks are round dont forget to deburr inside & out. Some brass is notably worse than others, but it all needs a twist or two with the tool.

 

[Webster]

OK going to start my foray into Metallic reloading, My question is, When starting with BRAND NEW NEVER FIRED BRASS. You know how some of the necks are dented, Do you just use a expander mandrel to fix that? 2 thou under bullet diameter? do all of the brass whether dented or not? TY!

If you have a neck turning tool you should get a neck expander mandrel with it.

 

[K22]

First, I carefully inspect all new cases for defects that cannot be corrected and toss those cases. Dents are not a cause for rejecting a case, but cold lap folds and neck splits are a cause to reject the case since these cannot be corrected by sizing or first shot use.

Second, I chamfer the necks inside and out to remove burrs and rough edges.

Third I deburr the primer flash hole and uniform the primer pockets, but I'm not convinced the latter is really necessary.

Fourth, I tumble the cases to remove processing residue sometimes found on new cases and to produce a smooth clean surface for sizing.

Lastly, I run all new cases through a full-length resizing die that is set for zero shoulder set back to make sure the neck is uniformly sized and in alignment with the body of the case. You have to be careful not to extruded (lengthen) the case. It's very rare but I have encountered some lots of cases that were oversized and had to have some shoulder set back to chamber them.

 

[Shynloco]

I just run it through my FL size die, but don't bump the shoulder back.

I agree with Bill 100%. Do the minimum to make the brass useable and then FIRE ALL THE BRASS in your rifle (using the same basic load) to put ALL the brass through the first/same expansion/contraction process a casing experiences when fired in a rifle chamber. After that, do all the expansion you want knowing the ENTIRE piece of brass has experienced the same process. I've found that in precision shooting, that can make a difference in terms of repeated accuracy when all loads are treated identically from start to finish. Good luck and have fun!