army-medic
Well-Known Member
I believe it depends on the material. This may cause some debate, but generally carbide mandrel (or dies) do not necessarily need lubrication.
Which case neck expander mandrel
- Thread starter DCG
- Start date
You do not ordinarily need to lubricate the inside neck when using a Lee collet die, because there is no sliding friction with the mandrel, only pressure as the neck is squeezed against it.
I would suggest that it would be a good idea to use it with other sorts that do slide in and out. My preference would be graphite powder. Particularly if you get your cases squeaky clean inside e.g. by ultrasonic or wet tumbling. But I cannot speak from experience, just my thoughts on it.
A carbide mandrel could be a very expensive thing to make, I suspect that they are usually made from hardened steel, with or without some other surface treatment.
Some FL dies can be had with carbide expander balls, these don't require lube inside the neck. But generally dies use hardened steel expanders, which do benefit from inside neck lube. Not a lot, but I'd say its pretty much essential for them. The push-through mandrels likewise, they are doing much the same job as an expander ball.
I would suggest that it would be a good idea to use it with other sorts that do slide in and out. My preference would be graphite powder. Particularly if you get your cases squeaky clean inside e.g. by ultrasonic or wet tumbling. But I cannot speak from experience, just my thoughts on it.
A carbide mandrel could be a very expensive thing to make, I suspect that they are usually made from hardened steel, with or without some other surface treatment.
Some FL dies can be had with carbide expander balls, these don't require lube inside the neck. But generally dies use hardened steel expanders, which do benefit from inside neck lube. Not a lot, but I'd say its pretty much essential for them. The push-through mandrels likewise, they are doing much the same job as an expander ball.
Yep, use dry lube. A couple of quid buys you more graphite powder than you will use in a lifetime. Then just open up a couple of shotgun shells. No 6's work fine. Empty the lead in to a pot, pour some graphite powder in, seal and shake and then just dip each case a couple of times prior to driving the mandrel in to the case neck.
As you do more, the mandrel itself builds up the finest veneer of lube which also aids. I would say even every other 2nd or 3rd case could be lubed rather than all but it is so quick that I just do them all as I am sizing the necks back up.
As you do more, the mandrel itself builds up the finest veneer of lube which also aids. I would say even every other 2nd or 3rd case could be lubed rather than all but it is so quick that I just do them all as I am sizing the necks back up.
Dale57
Well-Known Member
Hi mate where did you get your apw expander mandrel set please
I use RCBS lube on the inside of the case necks when using the mandrels. I have no experience of using a dry lube.
Regards
JCS
I can’t remember to be honest. Might require some google searching
Be aware that expanding outwards gives great tolerance on the fit , however 2 tho' grip on a bullet can relax and this can be a big issue in the field , maybe a bullet stuck in ?
So get one with a tad smaller than tighter . Remember 2 tho under the bullet diameter is match grip , using great brass and it wont be chambered long or the rifle bumped around like a hunting rifle .
Lube needs only be very slight about as little as you can apply and dont re-apply if your doing say 50 or so.
So get one with a tad smaller than tighter . Remember 2 tho under the bullet diameter is match grip , using great brass and it wont be chambered long or the rifle bumped around like a hunting rifle .
Lube needs only be very slight about as little as you can apply and dont re-apply if your doing say 50 or so.
When your likely to be shooting out Barrels at his sort of rate , you need to cut out anything that is superfluous to accuracy- bear in mind though he likely wont shoot his brass as many times as the average hunter and is also sponsored by Lapua
Totally agree but considering his shooting discipline it's all about finite accuracy. I give my case necks a run with a nylon brush but that's it.
Many top target shooters who do not have a sponsorship deal , will actually do less brass prep than many deerstalkers, working off " did doing this step achieve anything positive . Based on time being the most expensive commodity.
Yes it is necessary. Particularly in new Lapua brass 6.5x55. The last batch I bought had very tight necks. So much so that I almost got a stuck case.
The once fired Norma .243 brass (compliments of a friendly gamekeeper) is a lot easier but I still use Dry Lube.
6.5-06 TIKKA
Well-Known Member
You can go any of the above routes
I use K+M.
I tried the Lyman neck expender
It worked well enough ,but not for neck turning .....to correct caliber size.
Have a look ....?
I use K+M.
I tried the Lyman neck expender
It worked well enough ,but not for neck turning .....to correct caliber size.
Have a look ....?
Recently got 500 cases of Lapua 6 CM brass, and it was stupidly hard and slightly undersized. I had non-obturation with full power loads, with measurable differences between once fired and virgin cases.
Reflecting on the Op’s problem as per Post #1, it strikes me he could do with one of these:
For Sale: - K&M expander die body complete
K
For Sale: - K&M expander die body complete
K
nowler
Well-Known Member
For my money, If you want consistent neck tension, neck turn your brass to a uniform thickness and size with a bushing die. If you want it more consistent than that, anneal your brass between firings. For me, that’s as good as it gets and the neck is supported concentrically with the case when it is sized. If you want to adjust your neck tension, change your bushing size.
expanding necks as a stage prior to seating just seems fraught with issues and adds unnecessary steps on the process and overworks your case necks. Additionally, the cases aren’t supported concentrically when expanding out.
expanding necks as a stage prior to seating just seems fraught with issues and adds unnecessary steps on the process and overworks your case necks. Additionally, the cases aren’t supported concentrically when expanding out.
Mark120555
Well-Known Member
I use k+m mandrel but have brought the extender with the view hole from Spud. I found this fixed the same problem of big fingers and not being able to see what was going on
<chuckle> With respect, there's a whole community of long range shooters that disagree with your position. Case concentricity is a whole other topic, that is often over hyped as well.
Malxwal
Well-Known Member
Working brass is collateral damage. As Nowler says, annealing after every firing negates it. I am a complete amateur at this accuracy stuff, but aiming to turn (for wall thickness uniformity), then size with bushing die to .001-.002 below, then mandrel to desired size.
Worrying what's mentioned above about sizing/hardness in recent batches of Lapua.
Worrying what's mentioned above about sizing/hardness in recent batches of Lapua.
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