What am I doing wrong 30 BR issues

[Silo1616]

As others have pointed out, you really need to do the initial expansion from 6mm to 30 with a dedicated expander mandrel. The one-pass type with a shallower taper.

The Redding type "S" die uses a traditional "button" (below) - I'm surprised it will even start in a 6mm neck:

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

There's just clearly a problem in the op's setup here. I've done them in one pull...dry, without issue. It's not my preferred method but this process should be so easy, a caveman can do it...unless there's something askew in his setup. The easy button is to get a Sinclair or pma expander die and mandrel. That will very likely do away with whatever his setup issue is and put an end to his misery without much cost. It may well be the preferred method too, when all is said and done..so not a waste of money at all, imho.
An expander die/mandrel, along with a smooth pull of the handle is all that's needed, even by a dummy like me. Lots of good responses here but many just over complicate a really simple solution.

 

[Horsemen61]

Obviously doesn’t work
You have to expand the 6BR to 30
In other words .243 to .308
I expand by using a 308 mandrel
Set the case in the shell holder
Lube the mandrel ( also inside neck a bit)
This is not one big push
Rather run the case into the mandrel a bit
Down with the case
Turn case roughly 90°
Back into the mandrel a bit further
Check the lube on the mandrel, make sure it’s lubed
Continue to run the case into the mandrel a bit more each time and lower it and spin the case again
Eventually the whole neck is opened to the correct diameter. Nothing gets crushed
You now have a case that be loaded like any other.
The lube etc., is a matter of preference.
All of the above is what I do. And for me it works perfectly every time.
Are there other methods? I bet.

Thank you for sharing that with me I’m willing to learn and try new things so I will have to look into that

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

watch the first 1:17 of the video posted above. I think that guy knows what he is talking about.

 

[Horsemen61]

Anneal ,load 6mm and Fire in 30br chamber. Then do the expander and neck turning stuff.

Are you saying I should shoot a 6mm in a 30 cal?

 

[AlNyhus]

Are you saying I should shoot a 6mm in a 30 cal?

That is not something that someone new to this process should be doing. Take a few minutes to read the 30BR tab on the main site.

You are being redirected...

Also, did you get a chamber cast done yet to determing neck size, etc?

 

[Horsemen61]

That is not someone new to this process should be doing. Take a few minutes to read the 30BR tab on the main site.

You are being redirected...

Also, did you get a chamber cast done yet to determing neck size, etc?

Not yet working on it

 

[JMayo]

If case mouth bottoms out it will squish it down into the shoulder.
I have a long tapered mandrel that takes a 6br to 30 no problem as long as i don't hit the top and squish em.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Watch Wes’s video in post #8. It is dead on the way the vast majority of 30BR shooters make their brass.
While it seems labor intensive, the good news is the darned things last forever.

It is good that Wes never shows his full face in the video, as that could easily frighten young kids.

 

[a-dog]

I had this happen to me when I first got my 6BRA and was sizing brass. The issue turned out to be the position of the expander ball. I believe it was not low enough so the case was squishing down. Once I lowered the expander ball, all issues were resolved.

 

[M-61]

I had this happen to me when I first got my 6BRA and was sizing brass. The issue turned out to be the position of the expander ball. I believe it was not low enough so the case was squishing down. Once I lowered the expander ball, all issues were resolved.

If you read his post I believe he is (or wants to) size 6 to 308.
The expander ball problems you experienced are indeed true. But they have nothing to do with his problem at all.

 

[a-dog]

If you read his post I believe he is (or wants to) size 6 to 308.
The expander ball problems you experienced are indeed true. But they have nothing to do with his problem at all.

I assumed that, since he appears not to be using mandrels, he his most likely still using an expander ball. My apologies.

 

[Horsemen61]

I ordered the PMA DIE AND MANDREL

 

[M-61]

I ordered the PMA DIE AND MANDREL

A good start.
It is important to have a good clear idea of what you are trying to accomplish.
The actual make of any of the needed components are really not important.
Their use is.
Once you have your tools it would be nice to see how they work.
If you have some old brass laying around it would be nice to try and open the necks up. What I mean is like 243 Winchester , 270 Winchester anything you’re never going to use. Watch and see how the neck gets opened without using your actual 6BR brass.
Just an idea.

 

[Horsemen61]

A good start.
It is important to have a good clear idea of what you are trying to accomplish.
The actual make of any of the needed components are really not important.
Their use is.
Once you have your tools it would be nice to see how they work.
If you have some old brass laying around it would be nice to try and open the necks up. What I mean is like 243 Winchester , 270 Winchester anything you’re never going to use. Watch and see how the neck gets opened without using your actual 6BR brass.
Just an idea.

Not a bad idea I’ll try that thank you

 

[Horsemen61]

Update I successfully sized 5 pieces up to 30 cal and yes their is a small raised ring of brass that one can feel with their fingernail at the base of the neck

 

[Bill Norris]

Update I successfully sized 5 pieces up to 30 cal and yes their is a small raised ring of brass that one can feel with their fingernail at the base of the neck

That is the "Lump" that Al refers to. He has a method that removes that lump instead of simply turning that portion along with the remainder of the neck.

 

[Kevin1990]

I'd send your brass to @P1ZombieKiller. I tired necking up and neck turning and was not satisfied, so I sent it over to him with some bullets I'd be using. And like magic, I got the brass back and it was perfect.

From what you are saying in this thread, I would definitely send it out. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration and money. For me the learning curve, time and expenses was not worth it.

 

[Horsemen61]

I'd send your brass to @P1ZombieKiller. I tired necking up and neck turning and was not satisfied, so I sent it over to him with some bullets I'd be using. And like magic, I got the brass back and it was perfect.

From what you are saying in this thread, I would definitely send it out. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration and money. For me the learning curve, time and expenses was not worth it.

if someone else does it I won’t learn how so I’m going to try and learn I want to get better at these things so the Art of Benchrest shooting doesn’t dry up and die with the older generations

 

[21PHX]

That's why I mentioned using Mink oil instead
I exlusively use Imperial
But have been forming some brass recently
and got 2 cases stuck in the die which I had to extract
VERY noticebale improvement with Mink Oil
At least twice as lubristic as Imperial
--------------
Even with imperial, right at the point of almooooost getting the ram to the bottom and sizing this brass
I could feel it about to get stuck in the die
Switched to Mink oil.............
.......................smooth as snot

Mink oil liquid or paste? I might have to try it.