Reducing 22BR neck tension

[andybrock]

Like a lot of others I form my 22br brass from 6mm br Lapua brass.
I form them using a Forster FL 22br die, once they are formed I run my 22 expander mandrel down them. Even after I run the mandrel down the necks just spring back so when I seat a bullet the neck tension is wayyyyyy too much.
Obviously once it's fired I can control the neck tension much better with bushings.
Is there another way to form the brass so I can reduce the tension on the first shot?
Thanks Andy

 

[ridgeway]

Slightly larger expander mandrel....most likely will need to be custom made to the exact diameter you want. Annealing your cases before and after forming might help....

 

[SmokinJoe]

As Chuck said, and K&M does this quickly & at a reasonable cost, just had 2 made for my 20's recently. You can probably mic the formed brass, loaded ammo & mandrel, and come up with the size you need.

 

[dedogs]

Forester makes over-sized expander balls for .204.

 

[Terry]

I turned the necks on my brass. Improved clearance and neck tension.

 

[andybrock]

I turned the necks on my brass. Improved clearance and neck tension.

How much did you take off Terry?

 

[lpreddick]

I have three 22BRs. What is neck diameter before and after bullet seating? I have the same problem with new brass, so I put a tiny coat of case lube on the bullet(some use dry lube). I was concered my bullets would self seat when chambered since i seat .020 into tge lands, but it didn't. I turned necks for one 22BR, not the other. A bit time consuming, but you can use the cream of wheat/pistol powder to fireform the case. Clean the inside neck with nylon brush leaving that little bit of "carbon". Ultra sonic cleaned necks get you back to the same problem of squeeky clean brass in contact with copper...eventual "cold bonding". My current approach is using the lube...quick.