This started out as new unprimed R-P .30-06, was loaded with safe loads, FL sized, loaded again and fired, FL sized again.

In the process, the necks apparently got so thick that the trimmer pilot won't even go in the case neck.

Isn't this a little early to have to neck ream? Any suggestions?

John

Just seems like these necks are getting really thick, really fast?

How many firings does it usually take to get noticeable neck thickening?

Your problem may be in your sizing die over sizing the cases and the expander not being able to expand enough. Measure the diameter of the neck at the mouth of a loaded round. Remove the expander from your die and measure the mouth of a sized case without the expander. The difference should not exceed .011". If it does, you have a die problem which the die maker will correct for you if you send it back. If that measurement is in the ballpark, then your expander ball could be undersized, and again the maker can correct that for you. The fit of the pilot is pretty tight normally. A thou or two CAN make a difference. If it almost fits, try chucking it in a drill and polishing it with crocus cloth or wet-dry 600 grit sandpaper.

When necks "thicken" it is at the base of the neck at the shoulder. It is usually the result off full sizing many times where the brass of the shoulde is significantly thicker than the neck. The shoulder lengthens and that thicker brass bends around that junction resulting in a "donut" at that point. That usually occurs in wildcats made from longer cases. It normally doesn't happen in factory brass.

Inside or outside neck reaming is a disaster in reloading 10l with factory chambers, it overworks brass, by creating over expansion of the neck, and cases last only a few reloadings. It is a necessity with 0 to .002 expansion necks in bench rest and varmint rifles.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob338:

Your problem may be in your sizing die over sizing the cases and the expander not being able to expand enough. Measure the diameter of the neck at the mouth of a loaded round.

0.332" in a round loaded with new brass.

Remove the expander from your die and measure the mouth of a sized case without the expander. The difference should not exceed .011". If it does, you have a die problem which the die maker will correct for you if you send it back.

0.321" to 0.322".

If that measurement is in the ballpark, then your expander ball could be undersized, and again the maker can correct that for you.

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Expander ball measures 0.304" at its fattest spot. It did appear worn, maybe I'm not lubing case necks enough?

For grins I did a quick comparison -- the expander from my .30-30 die was 0.306". My .270 Win. expander was 0.276" and my 6.5x55 Swedish was 0.263".

The trimmer pilot measured 0.303".

I believe we have our culprit. What do you think?

[This message has been edited by John Frazer (edited 12-05-2001).]

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Brent

Neck reaming is only applied to remove the donut, which may occur after firing the case a lot of times. Neck reaming on a case of non consistent wall thickness makes a bad thing worse as the reamer will go the easiest way - it will not follow the center line of the case: you may end up with a greater difference in wall thickness than before reaming.

Check the wall thickness of the necks and turn them, stepwise, if necessary.

I have to say that out of all the products I ever use, the reloading industry has about the best customer service.

John

[/QUOT

Waitaminit,
I have neck reamed several of my different cal. cases and kept my necks concentric W/OD.
Lee Mequan before the split made what they called their Target Loader. It held your case in the neck size die and reamed w/offset reamer thru the center of the die. Cases needed to be fire formed to the chamber then neck reamed. This set-up allowed you to ream as deep as you wanted and could leave a step inside for a bullet seating stop. Too bad the brothers split-up and quit making the target loader kit. Making their new presses from old lawn chairs is making money for John and he's happy.

KEEP YOUR POWDER DRI....Admiral

Thanks to all who responded since this is not an issue covered in any reloading manual (yes, I've read them all).

John