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This is the one i also use.I use a 21st Century neck turning TiN arbor to bring neck tension to 2 thou.
I’m going to give expanding with mandrels a try. Do you guys recommend -0.001 or -0.002 in size. I anneal with an AMP before each loading and size with Redding type S bushing dies.
It was pretty damn early in the morning when you posted this, coffee? I do not get this, please expound.The size used is also driven by the seating method (Wilson seating die vs. press mounted die).
This. I size my necks down with a bushing .004 under loaded diameter and expand with the TiN arbor.I use a 21st Century neck turning TiN arbor to bring neck tension to 2 thou.
This. I size my necks down with a bushing .004 under loaded diameter and expand with the TiN arbor.
Wilson inline seating dies require less neck tension to seat the bullet correctly (especially without damage). Most have to have around .001 neck tension, which either most FL factory dies, means expanding the necks is required.It was pretty damn early in the morning when you posted this, coffee? I do not get this, please expound.
What is "seat the bullet correctly"?
As in not crunching the nose/ogive of the bullet while seating it with an inline seater die and arbor press.
I have the 21st century sets. So I have them in .0005 increments.
I use pin gauges (for example a .241 for .002 with a 6mm). I’ll use whatever mandrel it takes to get the right fit with pin gauge.
For example, some brass I use a .242 and others I need a .2425 to get .002 tension. Different spring back can even happen over the course of the same brass’s life and needs a different mandrel.
You do know that inline seaters were made to be used with a rubber mallet? Arbor presses were not that common when they first came out.As in not crunching the nose/ogive of the bullet while seating it with an inline seater die and arbor press.
You do know that inline seaters were made to be used with a rubber mallet? Arbor presses were not that common when they first came out.
This is my process as well. I was wondering about the theory of sizing down with a bushing and then expanding back out with a mandrel. Seems like an unnecessary step.Why not use the bushing die to set your neck tension? I only use a mandrel on new brass.
With good brass it can be unnecessary. But it also doesnt hurt.This is my process as well. I was wondering about the theory of sizing down with a bushing and then expanding back out with a mandrel. Seems like an unnecessary step.
This is my process as well. I was wondering about the theory of sizing down with a bushing and then expanding back out with a mandrel. Seems like an unnecessary step.
Help me to understand, please. I use mandrel on virgin brass for desired neck tension and skim turn necks. Then FL size after every firing, bumping shoulders back .001-.002 using S bushing dies and neck size with bushing .001-.002 neck tension. To use your method, would I use a neck bushing that is .004ish and then mandrel size out to .001-.002 tension?With good brass it can be unnecessary. But it also doesnt hurt.
If .002 neck tension is desired, would you use a bushing that is .002 smaller than a loaded round, and then use a .002 mandrel on the next step? Or would you size smaller with bushing to say .004 smaller and then size out with .002 larger mandrel?If you’re looking to make the most perfect ammo you can, it’s going to be the most consistent way. Bullet interacts with the inside of the neck, mandrel makes the inside of the neck as perfect as we can get it.
Will just the bushing gets it close enough? Probably. Some are looking for better than close enough and some aren’t. The step is unnecessary to some and necessary to others.
.004 bushing and .002 mandrelIf .002 neck tension is desired, would you use a bushing that is .002 smaller than a loaded round, and then use a .002 mandrel on the next step? Or would you size smaller with bushing to say .004 smaller and then size out with .002 larger mandrel?
Help me to understand, please. I use mandrel on virgin brass for desired neck tension and skim turn necks. Then FL size after every firing, bumping shoulders back .001-.002 using S bushing dies and neck size with bushing .001-.002 neck tension. To use your method, would I use a neck bushing that is .004ish and then mandrel size out to .001-.002 tension?
Thanks guys, I'm going to give this method a try. It makes sense to me now..004 bushing and .002 mandrel
Thank you, this makes sense to me now.Are you sure every piece of brass is turned to the exact .001 or so? Also, over time, brass can move a bit.
When you use a bushing only, let’s say brass piece A has .013 neck thickness, and piece B has .0125.
With the same bushing used on both, one will have more/less tension, but the same OD of loaded neck.
With a mandrel, they will both have the same tension/ID but different OD.
The ID is much more important than the OD.
I've added a few steps to my reloading lately. I have 60 rounds of 6xc made up where I've annealed for the first time, used an expander mandrel 0.002" under, and I'm also seating with 0.060" jump. This gun and my old process have always grouped at 0.6 to 0.7 MOA which I thought was definitely good enough. It will be interesting if this brings those groups down to .3/.4. Planning to test later this week.
Why not use the bushing die to set your neck tension? I only use a mandrel on new brass.