Mandrell Die + Mandrell Advice

[Stortford]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a mandrel die and expander mandrels but I'm not really sure which to go for.

I've heard 2 thou neck tension is the one to go for but I can seem to find both a die body and 2 thou mandrels in stock to order together?

I know ill need ot get dry lube as well so thats also on the list; I wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction.

I shoot .223 and 6.5CM so will need .221 and .262 mandrels

Thanks
Ollie

 

[Malxwal]

ARC expander mandrel die and mandrels. They don't appear to do .221 unfortunately. Ti mandrels require no lube, but you can use graphite powder if you wish, easily found on interwebs

Wildcat Moderators | Sound Moderators Manufacturer | Firearm Accessories | Equipment

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[Stortford]

ARC expander mandrel die and mandrels. They don't appear to do .221 unfortunately. Ti mandrels require no lube, but you can use graphite powder if you wish, easily found on interwebs

Wildcat Moderators | Sound Moderators Manufacturer | Firearm Accessories | Equipment

As a sound moderators manufacturer we sell high quality sound moderators, firearm accessories & equipment. 25+ years of experience.

www.wildcatmoderators.co.uk

Is there any reason to get this one over the LE wilson or Sinclair one? For the die body and both mandrels i'd be looking at £130 posted for the ARC ones, the other 2 are significantly cheaper

 

[Malxwal]

To be honest, I haven't got the knowledge level to advise what's best. I use ARC and APW, the ARC I prefer as it uses Ti mandrels.

 

[palo]

Is there any reason to get this one over the LE wilson or Sinclair one? For the die body and both mandrels i'd be looking at £130 posted for the ARC ones, the other 2 are significantly cheaper

I've been using the sinclair one for years and its fine.
They all work just buy whichever one you can get.

 

[Stortford]

I've been using the sinclair one for years and its fine.
They all work just buy whichever one you can get.

Cant seem to find any .221 mandrels in stock anywhere

 

[Malxwal]

Cant seem to find any .221 mandrels in stock anywhere

In stock, or available at all ? Is it that .002" is too much for the smaller diameter bullets ? My APW set is the same, comes with .223 & .222

 

[Stortford]

In stock, or available at all ? Is it that .002" is too much for the smaller diameter bullets ? My APW set is the same, comes with .223 & .222

In stock. ARC and 21st Century both do a .221 mandrel but neither are in stock, I'll have to speak to spud and see when theyre likely to come in

 

[Kiwiguy]

If you want a mandrel that is .002" less than bullet diameter for your 223 Rem cartridge you need a .222 diameter mandrel due to the fact that the bullets are actually. 224 in diameter.

 

[Stortford]

If you want a mandrel that is .002" less than bullet diameter for your 223 Rem cartridge you need a .222 diameter mandrel due to the fact that the bullets are actually. 224 in diameter.

omg ofc, this is why i cant find them in stock!! how did i miss that! I've loaded hundreds of .223 how did it not dawn on me

 

[Dougie-uk]

Try Wildcat Moderators for ARC stuff, usually have items in stock for immediate despatch

 

[Stortford]

Thanks all, will be picking up the ARC die body, .222 mandrel and .264 mandrel from wildcat moderators and universal decapper and dry lube from spud

 

[mike243]

I use the K and M press adaptor and custom ground mandrels. superb and sensible monyey, spud reloading

 

[Disco_Richy]

XX1 Century are my go to's...wouldve tried ARC but they dont do sub-.22.

XXI do calibre sets which allow you to really tune your neck tension Caliber Specific Expander Mandrel Kits (Caliber Specific Expander Mandrel: 6mm Kit)

The .22 cal set for e.g. includes mandrels from .221 to .225 in 0.005 increments.

 

[kenbro]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a mandrel die and expander mandrels but I'm not really sure which to go for.

I've heard 2 thou neck tension is the one to go for but I can seem to find both a die body and 2 thou mandrels in stock to order together?

I know ill need ot get dry lube as well so thats also on the list; I wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction.

I shoot .223 and 6.5CM so will need .221 and .262 mandrels

Thanks
Ollie

You don’t want a body die to size necks as the don’t touch the neck when in use.
Use either a neck die or full length die but remove the expander button from whichever you use.
Then open up with mandrel die.
Ken.

 

[Marcel g]

I got my arc mandrel for my 6.5cm from spud if I remember correctly

 

[Stortford]

You don’t want a body die to size necks as the don’t touch the neck when in use.
Use either a neck die or full length die but remove the expander button from whichever you use.
Then open up with mandrel die.
Ken.

Yeah that's the plan to use a FL die, it's what I use already but will remove expander ball

 

[Woodlander]

I use an expander mandrel to ensure the case mouth has no dinks/imperfections and then use a Redding neck bushing die to ensure correct neck tension.