Expander Recomendations

[OzzyO20]

Looking to move from an expander ball in my Redding Type-S FL bushing die, to a independent mandrel set up. I've seen the Sinclair Mark II with carbide bits, and 21st Century with the TiNi mandrels most often.

Just looking for some opinions on which one is a better option over the other. Press is a Forster Co-Ax and I'm reloading .264 and .243 caliber bullets.

Thanks guys.

 

[spife7980]

I’d go not tin over carbine just because of the price. If you were running hundreds of thounsads maybe the carbide would pay the difference off but I’d shoot myself before I ran enough cases over the mandrel to wear it out on a single stage.

 

[XLR308]

I use the 21st century Tin mandrels and die and have zero complaints with them.
If money was of no concern the carbide would be the highest recommended just not really necessary for most people.

 

[_Raining]

I also use the 21st Century with the TiNi mandrels without issue.

 

[021411]

No issues with the Sinclair.

 

[OzzyO20]

Does the 21st century ‘float’ like the Sinclair does?

 

[XLR308]

Does the 21st century ‘float’ like the Sinclair does?

Yes the mandrel is allowed to float in the die body.

 

[XLR308]

Another thing to add about the 21st tin coated mandrel, I tried it both with and without any lube and really couldn't tell much if any real difference when expanding necks.
Not sure if that can be attributed to residual case lube on the mandrel or the properties of the Tin coating.

 

[spife7980]

Does the 21st century ‘float’ like the Sinclair does?

They are indentical and interchangeable.

 

[LA260]

I have both. Carbide Sinclair and Tin 21st. No difference between the two. Got the sinclair before I knew about 21st. Go with 21st its less than half the price of carbide.

 

[truck driver]

Anyone have a link to where you can get the Tin 21st. dies?

 

[Nodakplowboy]

I purchased the tin mandrels, they work great.

http://www.xxicsi.com/home-keep.html

 

[Brux]

I use Sinclair stainless, no problems with them. You just have to lube the inside of the necks before using.

 

[LA260]

Anyone have a link to where you can get the Tin 21st. dies?

http://www.brunoshooters.com/mm5/me...&Offset=50&CatListingOffset=50&Store_Code=BSS

 

[OzzyO20]

So the expadners are generally .001" and the turning arbors are .002"? Is that accurate?

 

[_Raining]

So the expadners are generally .001" and the turning arbors are .002"? Is that accurate?

Yes, the idea is you use the turning mandrel in a neck turning device and you use the expanding mandrel before running your brass through the neck turner but then people figured out it is a good way to get consistent neck tension. The expander is - 1 thou off bullet diameter and the turner is - 2 thou off bullet diameter.

 

[OzzyO20]

Yes, the idea is you use the turning mandrel in a neck turning device and you use the expanding mandrel before running your brass through the neck turner but then people figured out it is a good way to get consistent neck tension. The expander is - 1 thou off bullet diameter and the turner is - 2 thou off bullet diameter.

That clear's it up then. Thank you sir.

 

[Sogan]

If I want to use a turning mandrel with my Redding Type S full length die then do I want a bushing that is .004" under my ideal neck tension so the turning mandrel can set the final tension at .002?

 

[spife7980]

If I want to use a turning mandrel with my Redding Type S full length die then do I want a bushing that is .004" under my ideal neck tension so the turning mandrel can set the final tension at .002?

That would be the standard way of doing it, yes.

 

[OzzyO20]

Last question, and probably a stupid one; is it fine to go straight to the turning mandrel after the necks sized? Would be a huge pita to do the .001 then .002 operation.

 

[spife7980]

I must not understand your question but Im not sure how it would even be possible to do it the other way to any tangible effect.

You size the brass down, and then the expanding mandrel would open it to .001 under meaning that if you tried the turning mandrel after that it would just slide in freely doing no work at all. The expander already opened it up wider than the turning mandrel.

Run your brass up into a gutted sizing die to size it down, then run it over your turning mandrel to open it back up to accept the bullet.

 

[OzzyO20]

I must not understand your question but Im not sure how it would even be possible to do it the other way to any tangible effect.

You size the brass down, and then the expanding mandrel would open it to .001 under meaning that if you tried the turning mandrel after that it would just slide in freely doing no work at all. The expander already opened it up wider than the turning mandrel.

Run your brass up into a gutted sizing die to size it down, then run it over your turning mandrel to open it back up to accept the bullet.

I guess I meant do you have to do both expander and turning.

Sounds like depending on desires tension, you just pick one or the other.

 

[spife7980]

I guess I meant do you have to do both expander and turning.

Sounds like depending on desires tension, you just pick one or the other.

Yep, one or the other. One does less, one does more but both do the same process. I would default to the turning.

 

[LA260]

I guess I meant do you have to do both expander and turning.

Sounds like depending on desires tension, you just pick one or the other.

I use turning on a 6.5CM semi and expander on 260/6.5x47 bolt. One of these days I'm planning on loading 25rds/each of either the 260 or 6.5x47 with turning and expander to compare the two.