Lapua brass problem! WTF

[Tactical30]

I just got some Lapua brass for the 6.5 Grendel(AR platform) I got into the habit of FL resizing new brass. When I ran it thru the Die (Forester Ultra Die set) and removed the brass i looked inside the neck and it looked like the expander ball cut <span style="font-weight: bold">minor</span> slices all around the inside of the neck. They were not deep cuts but just enough to see them. When I resize i usually lube the outside of the case and neck, thats it. I took the die apart and lubed the expander ball really well (New dies) and started adding graphite to the necks. It took away about 80% of the problem. Then after I did all that I ran the brass thru a brass brush thru the neck a couple times to smooth it out. Then that took care of about 95% of the problem. Also the more and more brass I resizes the less and less the scrapes could be seen. Does the expander ball just need wore in? Is it because its new brass? I had never had this problem before. The reason I resize them is because if i seat a bullet in the case w/o resizing it and then pull the bullet its peeling some of the jacket off. Is this a big deal, i dont know but when I resize them it doesnt peel the jacket. Whats going on?

 

[bohem]

Re: Lapua brass problem! WTF

The jacket peeling issue you describe is because during the shipping process it's not uncommon for the necks to ding out of round.

I run my new brass through the sizer as well. Rifle brass gets only the NS and pistol brass gets the resizer and the expander/flare. Since pistol brass doesn't come flared, I see it as only 1 added step on them.

Did you chamfer the mouths before running them through the die? That would probably help since there may be some small inconsistencies that are causing the issue. You said lubing them with graphite reduced the problem significantly, so it makes me thing that the chamfer would remove it altogether.

I usually chamfer first, unless it's seriously out of round and I can't. Just enough to nip the corner off since any kind of ding will usually cause a very small protrusion on the corner of a squared surface.

 

[Suasponte]

Re: Lapua brass problem! WTF

Polish your expander ball. I chucked mine up in a drill and polished it on a hone. Then ran it in #0000 fine steel wool with Flitz metal polish till it shined like a mirror. This will reduce any force required to pull the expander back thru the case neck and eliminate the scratches also.

Excessive force required to pull the expander back thru will change your case dimensions! Reduce that force and gain consistancy.

Terry

 

[Sig685]

Re: Lapua brass problem! WTF

First mistake was resizing brand-new Lapua brass. Second mistake is using an expander ball.

You should have used a mandrel to make sure the case mouths were proper instead of screwing up perfectly great brass.

Now, don't go chamfering it and making it worse.

I would suggest you get rid of the dies and get a Redding full length bushing die, remove the expander ball and just use the plastic grommet. Get the proper bushing for your brass.