Forster Expander Ball Alternative?

[Infinity]

Hola Gents,

I have been using an as-is Forster full length sizing die with a polished expander ball to bump the shoulders .002". I just bought 100 rounds of Lapua brass and want to treat it right. My question: Is there any downside (accuracy/concentricity-wise) to removing the expander ball of the Forster die (still bumping the shoulders .002") and taking a separate step with a Sinclair expander die and mandrel to open the neck back up? If my question is unclear in any way, please let me know. As always, thanks for the help...

Adam

 

[Layton]

You may want to take an expander mandrel to the new brass. No need to f/l size if it's new. After it's fired just use a bushing f/l die to bump the shoulder and size the neck to what you want it. Typically around .002" smaller than what it measures with your bullet of choice seated. Just get the bushing at the size you need. If a neck gets bent just use the mandrel on it and then run it through your normal process. At least that's what I do so if someone has a better way I'm all ears as well.

L

 

[targaflorio]

I just ordered the Sinclair kit. I plan to decap with a universal decapper and remove the sizing die decapper completely.

 

[targaflorio]

I'm also sending my fl die to Forster to hone for correct neck tension

 

[Infinity]

Layton, that's definitely the plan for the new Lapua brass...going to use a q-tip to put a touch of imperial sizing wax in the neck, expander die/mandrel the necks, then q-tip and rubbing alcohol to remove the lube...chamfer/deburr, prime, load, shoot. I definitely appreciate the bushing die recommendation, and eventually I will acquire one (or hone one with Forster) if necessary. I'm currently so far over budget, I'm pretty sure my wife will kill me in my sleep if I buy anything else right now. I'm still hoping to hear from someone that they tried this method (no expander ball, yes expander die/mandrel) and it worked to minimize TIR and working of the brass. Otherwise, I may guinea pig a little bit after fireforming...

targa, nice plan. I reload for two different .308s so honing my die is out of the question for now due to different brass types. At some point, I'm sure I'll get another die in my attempts to reinvent the wheel. Enjoy that honed die, I've heard nothing but great things.

I just spoke to Bob (the tech) at Forster explaining what I'm trying to do, removing the expander ball and using the expander die/mandrel. He thinks it will work, at least theoretically. He asked that I please call back and let him know how it works.

Anyone with experience or opinions, please keep 'em coming...I'm definitely no reloading guru, I know some of you are...

 

[Layton]

(or hone one with Forster)

As soon as they start taking orders again I'm going this route. I also failed to mention that I do not use an expander ball in the die.

L

edt: My exact process is to size/decap, trim, tumble, anneal(I've gotten to where I do it every time now as it's too easy not too which is overkill), run through the f/l die again, camfer/debur/brush, prime, load, shoot, repeat.

 

[Infinity]

Layton, thanks for describing your process. Have you given any thought to using a lee decapping die instead of sizing twice. Even though you're annealing, I can't imagine your brass isn't getting overworked. Thoughts?

 

[Layton]

I'm not really working the brass the second time. I just want to confirm everything is back to where it was at before I annealed. I don't even need to use a lube the second go around. Overkill I know but wth. I have the time.

 

[Infinity]

Fair enough, I'm just trying to further my own understanding of the concepts of brass working, etc. Anyone have any experience with my first post?

 

[Jumper]

I had Forster hone a 7-08 fl die and I use it with the expander ball. I had my reamer dimensions and they used them to hone the die for minimal brass working. Resizing is pretty low effort with the expander ball in place. I have no way to check runout but, my accuracy is pretty good.

 

[Jumper]

Forgot this: if you are going to the trouble of 2 step resizing, I think the best method is first run the case through a body sizing die that doesn't touch the neck. Then use a Lee neck sizing die on the neck. There was a thread in this forum detailing the method and supposedly it yielded very low runout.

 

[wilecoyote]

Op, toss away the expander ball _ forever _
sinclair mandrel it's the path to follow _
the only main possible drawback of Lee neck-only could be encountered trying to turn the necks, immediately after their resizing with the Lee N-O, due to cannelures on the same necks, sometime_

 

[Infinity]

Jumper, thank you for the conribution.

wilecoyote, deal for the bolt gun. Thank you for the guidance and info. If I scrap the expander ball, think I'll run into any trouble with .002" neck tension on my LAR-8 since it's an AR-10 variant? Thanks again gents...