Proper use of expander die and mandrel on unfired brass?

[coues52]

Great post,now wheres the wifes Q-tips ?..~Danny

 

[amlevin]

Great post,now wheres the wifes Q-tips ?..~Danny

My wife has to get them from me. I buy the Costco 3-Packs. More than enough for my needs at the bench and cleaning firearms. Even have a few to share with her.

 

[Tozguy]

This thread is very helpfull but it has left me wondering does a carbide expander mandrel preclude the need for applying lube?

 

[bozo699]

This thread is very helpfull but it has left me wondering does a carbide expander mandrel preclude the need for applying lube?

Some say yes but I disagree I think it is still easier on the brass with some lube,...JMHO
Wayne.

 

[DennisH]

You can try Hornady Unique case lube also on the inside of your case necks.

This is the best case lube in my books.

HOWEVER, when I use an expander mandrel to size the inside of the necks, I use RCBS liquid case lube. I put a little in a cap, not much, I dip the brass neck in the cap, just wipe the outside, then I run it through the mandrel. I usually run the new brass through my FL die as well using the Hornady case lube. Afterwards, I put the brass in my ultrasonic cleaner to clean them up, then let them dry.

I have tried it dry, expander mandrel only, but something tells me dry on dry is "maybe" causing damage I can't see! Plus with the lube, it goes through the mandrel like butter!

 

[bozo699]

You can try Hornady Unique case lube also on the inside of your case necks.

This is the best case lube in my books.

HOWEVER, when I use an expander mandrel to size the inside of the necks, I use RCBS liquid case lube. I put a little in a cap, not much, I dip the brass neck in the cap, just wipe the outside, then I run it through the mandrel. I usually run the new brass through my FL die as well using the Hornady case lube. Afterwards, I put the brass in my ultrasonic cleaner to clean them up, then let them dry.

I have tried it dry, expander mandrel only, but something tells me dry on dry is "maybe" causing damage I can't see! Plus with the lube, it goes through the mandrel like butter!

Dennis,
I am a die hard Imperial man,..not a dapper Dan man but a Imperial man but I think I will give your idea a try
Wayne.

 

[DennisH]

Wayne, IMO it's the easiest and fastest way.

Also, on FL sizing the brass, I take the Hornady paste and rub it on my hands. I take about 5 pieces of brass at a time and roll them inbetween my hands. It doesn't take much. It lube's them up pretty quick, I put the lubed cases in a plastic bowl, after I do all of them, I wipe my hands and start running them through the FL die!

NOT messy at all, and again, the brass goes throught the die with NO effort, which in my mind tells me there is no damage being done to my brass and it's being sized correctly!

I had some RCBS case lube and one day I just put some in a cap and dipped the brass in it before running it through the expander mandrel. I wish I would have thought about this a long time ago. RCBS is water soluble and again, it's not a mess to deal with. Graphite and MICA IMO makes a mess and plus the brass has resistance going through the mandrel! NO resistance with the RCBS lube! I did try the wax, but messy and hard to get out!

Dennis