Expander ball newb question

[NJRaised]

I have a rcbs matchmaster FL (bushing) sizing die. It has a decapping pin with an expander ball threaded into it.

Does anyone actually use that decapping pin/expander? Doesn’t it kind of defeat the purpose of a bushing ? What am I missing? I have just removed it all together.

My process is to use a universal decapping die to pop the primer, tumble, then a FL sizing die (shoulder bump of .002”) with proper bushing size, and then an expander mandrel to open the neck back up.

I am reloading precision ammo for prs, not bulk ammo .

 

[straightshooter1]

I have a rcbs matchmaster FL (bushing) sizing die. It has a decapping pin with an expander ball threaded into it.

Does anyone actually use that decapping pin/expander? Doesn’t it kind of defeat the purpose of a bushing ? What am I missing? I have just removed it all together.

My process is to use a universal decapping die to pop the primer, tumble, then a FL sizing die (shoulder bump of .002”) with proper bushing size, and then an expander mandrel to open the neck back up.

I am reloading precision ammo for prs, not bulk ammo .

Generally, expander balls are used when neck tension is not an issue. When dealing with expander balls, one need to take into account neck wall thickness, bushing size that works with the expander ball. One can customize thing where the ball can produce consistent results, but it's really a much easier route to just go with expander mandrels. . . even when using a bushing sizing die if you want to move much of the variances in neck wall thickness to the outside.

 

[fedupflyer]

I ended up dumping the expander ball for a mandrel.
The ball would stretch my shoulder/neck on the up stroke and I ended up with inconsistent shoulders lengths.
Switch to a mandrel for neck sizing and FL die for case and shoulder bump and the problem went away.
I went through a lot of brass before I figured that out.