using a Redding fl bushing die

[rebs]

When I size Lapua 223 cases with this die with the expander button in place, some of the cases are very hard to pull out of the die and others come out normally. What causes the extra hard extraction with the expander ball in place ?

 

[drop_point]

Either not enough lube or too small of a bushing.

Many will skip the expander ball and use a sizing mandrel in a separate step.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

If it's right at the start of dropping the ram, your expander could be a little to high inside the case.

 

[L.Sherm]

I would get rid of the expander and size only with the bushing to your desired dia. using Lapua brass

 

[JFrank]

When I size Lapua 223 cases with this die with the expander button in place, some of the cases are very hard to pull out of the die and others come out normally. What causes the extra hard extraction with the expander ball in place ?

Dry neck ID causes a lot of drag and squeaking, a few passes with a nylon brush should make a difference.

 

[Webster]

When I size Lapua 223 cases with this die with the expander button in place, some of the cases are very hard to pull out of the die and others come out normally. What causes the extra hard extraction with the expander ball in place ?

What are you lubing the cases with? I roll them on a pad with a light vis petroleum oil. Is it just hard as the ball is pulled through the neck? Sounds like the ball is in the neck as the case is being pulled down. Try giving the case necks a light cleanup with a neck turner.

 

[Tangent]

Many will skip the expander ball and use a sizing mandrel in a separate step.

I adopted this advice from this very forum. Currently using a carbide mandrel and a little graphite, seems to be working nicely.

 

[SteveOak]

A bushing die makes an expander ball unnecessary.

 

[Bill Norris]

A bushing die makes an expander ball unnecessary.

And a much better job as well. Individual expanders used separately after the bushing die is my method.

 

[243winxb]

some of the cases are very hard to pull out of the die

Thickness at the neck/shoulder junction, better known as a donut. If you neck turn your brass, no expander is needed.

A bushing need to only size 2/3 of the neck. Stops the expander problem with the donut.

 

[rebs]

Thank you guys for the help. I am going to remove the expander ball and try that

 

[SteveOak]

And a much better job as well. Individual expanders used separately after the bushing die is my method.

I assume you are talking about a mandrel?

 

[Bill Norris]

I assume you are talking about a mandrel?

Yes.

 

[misser]

When I size Lapua 223 cases with this die with the expander button in place, some of the cases are very hard to pull out of the die and others come out normally. What causes the extra hard extraction with the expander ball in place ?

are you annealing ?

 

[rebs]

are you annealing ?

not yet, I am looking for an annealer

 

[SteveOak]

A bushing die makes an expander ball unnecessary.

I am not in the habit of quoting myself, LOL, but I wanted to expand on what I said.

The correct size bushing die makes an expander ball unnecessary.