Regarding the 7mm-08 case

[jpretle]

What is the nominal neck thickness for this case? I know they vary from mfg-mfg, but nominally.
What is the nominal diameter of the RCBS expander ball?
Finally, what is the case neck sized to in a RCBS die, prior to the expander ball being pulled thru?

 

[AckleymanII]

You are going to have to determine this for yourself.

Do you own a dial caliper or micrometer?

 

[jpretle]

Have taken those measurements after having run the case thru my die. I am wondering what the 'standard' is, to see if my die has been modified?
I am not getting enough neck tension!!!!

 

[Sniper338]

Have taken those measurements after having run the case thru my die. I am wondering what the 'standard' is, to see if my die has been modified?
I am not getting enough neck tension!!!!

If your not getting enough neck tension your die is junk imo. It also sounds like a low end rcbs die that you cant change anything anyways.

You are much better served with a better brand/quality bushing full length sizing die. That way you can full length size brass, yet get the correct bushing you meed for deaired neck tension.

 

[msinc]

Can you tell us how you assess the amount of neck tension that you need???? What happens when you don't quite have enough and/or too much???? What happens different to cause you to believe that you have hit neck tension just right????

 

[jpretle]

Well, i can move the bullet, 'easily', just w/ my thumb and finger. Certainly not enough for a hunting gun.

 

[HTSmith]

Your expander ball should mike .282 or a bit under. Brass varies a lot in neck thickness. You can always chuck up the expander rod and ball and spin it in some emery paper to reduce the diameter if you need to. If it were me, I'd get a lee collet sizer.

 

[jpretle]

expander ball measures .283. case neck thickness is at .014-.0145.
loaded round is .315

 

[LHSmith]

WW and Fed brass ~ 0.0135". RP ~ 0.0130". Loaded round in Fed.= 0.315".
Redding expander =0.283"

 

[jpretle]

Sized w/o the expander ball===.304

 

[Zero333]

Is the brass freshly annnealed ? This can reduce the bullet pull tension. Best to size after annealing.

 

[jpretle]

Was annealed prior to this loading. Can't say what the tension was prior to the annealing. Just noted very light seating and tested tension w/ my fingers.
I guess i might need to use a smaller expander or different lot of brass.