Removal of expander button

[bench]

I use forester FL sizing dies and have of late tried the sinclair oversized mandrel to uniform my neck tension and have liked the results.
So should I remove the entire stem and sizing ball as I see no advantage to leaving it in the die.
Will I be creating any problems that I am unaware of.

 

[Sheldon N]

That's what I do, though I just remove the expander ball and leave the stem in with no decapping pin (I decap separately).

While you're at it send the die back to Forster to have them hone the neck of the die out for you. Only $12 and you can choose what size you want within 0.0005 increments. Choose something around 0.003 to 0.004 smaller than the OD of a loaded round neck. Your current die is likely sizing down around 0.008 smaller, then expander ball is opening it up to 0.002 then the mandrel is doing the last 0.001. Honing the neck would reduce a lot of unnecessary brass working.

 

[T-shooter]

I prefer to use the expander ball. I have a Forster and had the neck are honed out to it only compresses .004" under the finished size using turned necks. The ball expands it back out to .002" under. Without a ball, you are centering the neck's inside by the outside of the neck. If it's offset a bit or out of round as most factory cases are, that gets transferred to the inside producing runout. The shaft sits on a rubber washer and can wiggle a little which allows it to self-center. I have check several times and there is no increase in runout using the ball and many times a bit less. The proper way to adjust the ball is to run a case into the die all the way, then back out the center stem/ball until you feel it touch. I then screw it down 1/2 turn and lock it in place (extra locknut on the top of the shaft). This way most of the neck is still in the top of the die centering it as the ball starts to be pulled through.

 

[500Stroker]

I use forester FL sizing dies and have of late tried the sinclair oversized mandrel to uniform my neck tension and have liked the results.
So should I remove the entire stem and sizing ball as I see no advantage to leaving it in the die.
Will I be creating any problems that I am unaware of.

I do not use an expander ball or mandrel, just a quality neck bushing with trued brass. Yes, I do control neck tension by using this method. Remember every time you move the brass you work harden it. Results speak for themselves.

 

[T-shooter]

I do not use an expander ball or mandrel, just a quality neck bushing with trued brass. Yes, I do control neck tension by using this method. Remember every time you move the brass you work harden it. Results speak for themselves.

Good Shooting!

 

[nmkid]

I don't use the expander ball.

 

[500Stroker]

I don't use the expander ball.

Very nice.

 

[500Stroker]

Good Shooting!

It's all in the wrist.