I’m using a mandrel on my new 6 dasher brass. I was getting significant seater stem rings from both a Forester seating die and a Wilson inline. I started running them all through a mandrel and the seating is smoother and no more ring tipped bullets. Seems a little odd to me that I need to do this.
Using a mandrel on new Alpha 6 Dasher brass
- Thread starter Redfisher60
- Start date
Virgin brass is like that...a chamfer would help.
Some will run virigin brass thru a mandrel to uniform necks from dings during packaging/shipping etc....myself included.
I've experienced this as well, no biggi it is what it is to get the results we desire.
It will be all good the next time around after first firing.
Some will run virigin brass thru a mandrel to uniform necks from dings during packaging/shipping etc....myself included.
I've experienced this as well, no biggi it is what it is to get the results we desire.
It will be all good the next time around after first firing.
I have actually watched that before and forgot about it. tossing 50 cases in the tumbler now. I usually use NU finish car polish, hopefully that works the same. Thank you!
Last edited:
I have different sized mandrels, Still plenty of tension on the neck after using this mandrel diameter.
I bought some custom ammo with Alpha brass and as far as I can tell the neck tension is fairly inconsistent on the virgin brass.
The interference fit on pretty much all new brass is pretty tight. Additionally, as others have mentioned, perfectly clean brass has high surface friction against perfectly clean bullets. I always mandrel, chamfer, and use neck lube on virgin brass.
Essentially, tumbling is depositing a residue on the brass - it's similar to applying neck lube.
I tumbled debur/chamfer and tried using the 21st Century turning mandrel (0.002" below) on virgin 6 Alpha Dasher brass and it went right through the neck without any resistance. I was able to actually push the bullets in the case with my fingers if I really tried. They still ended up working fine but that was the 1st time I've ever experienced that with new brass. With new Lapua brass it's the opposite the necks are too tight
My first experience with Alpha brass was with 22 creedmoor. I had to mandrel them before first use or the seating stem left rings on the jacket. I'm still using that brass. Good stuff
I ran 1200 pcs of 6GT Alpha. I tumbled it then ran through a Giraud for a chamfer and had no problems. I was using Berger 105's and Hornady 105's with a SAC seater. I saw nothing to suggest inconsistent neck diameters and no rings on any bullets from the seater.
I will run Lapua through a mandrel because the necks can get damaged during shipping.
I will run Lapua through a mandrel because the necks can get damaged during shipping.
Last edited:
I still run my virgin brass over a mandrel, even the Lapua/Alpha stuff. One, if there is an inconsistency (and I've had to apply more pressure on the ram at times), then it is an easy fix. Two, by adding a slight amount of lube to the mandrel every few rounds, I'm lubricating the insides of the case neck for more consistent seating.
It might not be the next guy's cup of tea, but I get some crazy low ES/SD on virgin brass, along with the accuracy I want.
It might not be the next guy's cup of tea, but I get some crazy low ES/SD on virgin brass, along with the accuracy I want.
Interesting, I was mandreling the rest of a new 100 lot and had one piece that wasn’t neck sized at all, mandrel and bullet went right through the neck, no resistance.
The stuff from several brands is premium quality... but that doesn't mean it still isn't mass produced and can have a defect every once in a while that gets through.
Not stating that you were complaining man, just reinforcing in myself why I physically put my hands on everything that I determine to be a factor in accuracy.
"Inspect what you expect."
The new Lapua packaging has stopped the neck dings. No more 101 cases though.
I will say the necks on Lapua are cleaner than the Alpha bass I have.
