Sized With Too Small Bushing

[CarlGeorge]

I sized some brass and, in hindsight, I think I should have used a larger bushing on this brass. I'm going to do some testing with larger bushings on some unsized brass of the same manufacturer I have.

If that testing shows the larger bushing produces better results am I stuck with this stuff that has been sized - and I need to shoot it out? Or could I, say, put an expander mandrel through it and then size it again with larger bushings? (I'm kind of figuring a mandrel expansion process isn't sufficient to get the mouth to hold that larger size for an extended period - but I'm not sure.)

In case it matters:
Straight .284, Norma Brass
Sized with .313 bushing. I'm pretty sure .314 or .315 will produce the best results.

Thanks.

CG

 

[RegionRat]

Yes, just run your expander mandrel through there until you have it where you want it. If you have mandrels in fine steps, you won’t need to run them back through the bushing again, you would just expand them to the diameter you like.

I would tend to keep them batched, since you are cold working the necks with this prep. As long as all of them are done the same, no worries.

I wouldn’t recommend mixing ones that were sized back up with ones that are only sized down, unless it is an informal test to make sure they give the same performance. Sometimes it makes no difference, but sometimes it does. Good Luck.

 

[243winxb]

Test different neck tensions first on target with a small sample. Then put an expander mandrel through it, if needed.

Bullets act as an expander.

 

[Texas10]

I've made the same mistake before, and just take one bullet and seat it in all the cases and remove it with an impact puller. I waste one bullet in the process, no big deal. I've also done this with new Lapua brass and didn't size it again, just loaded it. Neck tension was right at what i was looking for.

One question for you, was your brass new or did it have several cycles on it? Annealing may be best if it's not new.

 

[nmkid]

I would anneal and then expand them out. I know a guy that has done that before, (LOL). and it worked out fine.

 

[Rich S]

Sizing 0.001 - 0.002 under and expanding with a mandrel is my normal brass prep. I think you will be fine expanding up. Below is a link to a recent thread on neck sizing.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/neck-tension-without-neck-turning.4016759/

 

[AWS]

I have three wildcats on the 204 ruger case and when I need brass I neck them up and down between 22-204, 6mm-204 and 25-204. I doo anneal but it doesn''t seem to hurt anything and my brass lasts a long time. I doubt that the few thousands you talking about will hardly be noticeable.

 

[CarlGeorge]

Thanks all. Great input and passing along of experiences. It helps a lot.

The cases have been annealed (prior to the sizing being asked about). I'll put the mandrel to work on them and see where that puts me.

Thanks again.

BTW, starting this thread made me realize where I am now with regards to the .284 (I'm LOVING it!) vs when I was debating between the .284 and 6.5 CM when specing out a new rifle 21 months ago. Folks said go with the .284 - I wouldn't regret it. That sure has been the case!

 

[tmwinds]

fguffey, where are you when we need you once again to explain neck tension versus bullet grip?

 

[59FLH]

The wall thickness on my 284 brass is .016" I size it with a 312 bushing and it shoots just fine. Will a different size bushing be better? I don't know yet. May never need to find out.

Shoot what you got and then make your move,... if you feel it's necessary. Until then don't drive yourself nuts. Going to the range second guessing your ammo is a wasted trip.

 

[Uncle Ed]

I sized some brass and, in hindsight, I think I should have used a larger bushing on this brass. I'm going to do some testing with larger bushings on some unsized brass of the same manufacturer I have.

If that testing shows the larger bushing produces better results am I stuck with this stuff that has been sized - and I need to shoot it out? Or could I, say, put an expander mandrel through it and then size it again with larger bushings? (I'm kind of figuring a mandrel expansion process isn't sufficient to get the mouth to hold that larger size for an extended period - but I'm not sure.)

In case it matters:
Straight .284, Norma Brass
Sized with .313 bushing. I'm pretty sure .314 or .315 will produce the best results.

Thanks.

CG

Question, does your neck thickness vary more than .002?
Redding puts an expander in their bushing dies for a reason for reloaders who do not neck turn.

Tech Line & Tips (FAQs)
Bushing Selection
https://www.redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips-faqs/140-bushing-selection

"If the neck wall thickness varies more than 0.002", it may be necessary to use a bushing a couple of thousandths smaller than your calculations indicate, and then use a size button in the die to determine the final inside neck diameter."