Hornady Full Length Sizing Die With Out Expander Ball .308- Run Out

[Trigger Time 23]

I am wanting to try and get a more accurate reload and think the next step is to not use an expander ball while re-sizing. My goal is to reduce run-out. I currently own a set of standard Hornady New Dimension dies and I was wondering if I could do this by just taking out the expander ball while re-sizing? I would like to continue to full re-size my brass to maintain reliability.

Has anyone just removed the expander ball to achieve this standard Hornady "New Dimension" die set?

Am I asking for trouble by creating too much neck tension if I do not use the expander?

Should I just purchase a new re-sizing bushing die?

If you think I should purchase a new die what do you suggest I look into for a full length re-size die without an expander ball?

Thanks much.

 

[918v]

Yes you will create too much neck tension without an expander ball.

 

[6xcKY]

Reduce run out? Buy quality bullets and quality seating dies. I personally prefer Forster, but everyone has their own. Reload the ammo based on the O-give, or shoulder of the bullet, not the meplat also know as the tip of the bullet. Get a Hornady headspace gauge and a Hornady overall length gauge.

If you are measuring from the tip of the bullet, the majority of them are not uniform and will vary .010's+ sometimes because of how they are cut. You will get lots of headache if you are measuring this way.

 

[Trigger Time 23]

Reduce run out? Buy quality bullets and quality seating dies. I personally prefer Forster, but everyone has their own. Reload the ammo based on the O-give, or shoulder of the bullet, not the meplat also know as the tip of the bullet. Get a Hornady headspace gauge and a Hornady overall length gauge.

If you are measuring from the tip of the bullet, the majority of them are not uniform and will vary .010's+ sometimes because of how they are cut. You will get lots of headache if you are measuring this way.

I am currently loading 175 gr SMK, reloading based ion ogive and have measure my headspace as well as OAL. Just trying to get a little more out of my set-up.

 

[RobertB]

I've never had any issue using redding type S dies with the expander removed with a Wilson chamber seater. I don't think you can beat that setup.

 

[Trigger Time 23]

Reduce run out? Buy quality bullets and quality seating dies. I personally prefer Forster, but everyone has their own. Reload the ammo based on the O-give, or shoulder of the bullet, not the meplat also know as the tip of the bullet. Get a Hornady headspace gauge and a Hornady overall length gauge.

If you are measuring from the tip of the bullet, the majority of them are not uniform and will vary .010's+ sometimes because of how they are cut. You will get lots of headache if you are measuring this way.

I am currently loading 175 gr SMK, reloading based ion ogive and have measure my headspace as well as OAL. Just trying to get a little more out of my set-up. Maybe I should upgrade seating dies as suggested. Thanks

 

[bigedp51]

If you are using a runout gauge you should be able to tell at what stage you are inducing runout. If you size the case without the expander ball and have little to no runout, but have runout with the expander ball installed the expander ball is off center or the necks have uneven neck thickness. You need a neck thickness gauge and a runout gauge to sort these problems.

BUT you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear, meaning you need good quality brass with uniform case wall and neck thickness.

Also if you full length resize you can reduce the effects of runout, the base of the case is supported by the bolt face and the bullet is supported by the chamber throat. The body of the case and the neck never touch the chamber walls and have less influence with bullet alignment.

The late Jim Hull of the Sierra testing lab and competitive shooter joking said............

"The cartridge case should fit the chamber like a rat turd in a violin case" meaning full length resizing reduces the cases influence on bullet alignment with the axis of the bore.