decapper/ expander Question

[gizer]

is there a one piece 30 cal expander that will replace the RCBA 9812?

I was converting 223 to 300BO and the RCBS expander ball appeared to loosen up and i did not notice until just a few threads remained and then the threads on the rod stripped and the expander was left in a case. I was doing this step after the case was reformed so it was not in the forming die.

I don't need the expander to deprime,

just looking for advise here to supplement my web search so any direction is a help!

 

[just browsing]

Sinclair and 21st Century both make dedicated expander dies and have pretty much any size mandrel you could possibly need.

Otherwise I would just contact RCBS… would be pretty surprised if they didn’t just send you a new expander ball assembly. A quick search also shows replacement units on Amazon for <$10.

 

[DHDeal]

I expand my 300BO another way. As I also shoot supers, and those flat bases won't just sit there waiting to be seated, so I use a type of a M Die. NOE bullet molds makes rifle expanders that add a small expanded step at the mouth and the flat bases can be pushed into (it's adjustable). The expander button fits into a Lee Universal Expander die for a total cost of about $25 minus shipping and tax. I use the .309×.305 rifle version for the 300BO.

It does add another step but the flat base bullets sit in the case, start straight, and the expanded portion can be either lightly crimped or ignored. I use many of their expanders as I use them for straight walled cartridges (327, 357, 44's, and 45's) and now also the 300BO. They do a fine job of smoothing out case necks even if you don't use the secondary case mouth expander. No expander balls to loosen or do what yours did.

They are really intended for expanding cases for using cast bullets so you don't shave the bullets while seating but work very well for 300BO and flat base bullets. The expander also works fine for the long heavy subs too.