Problem on 243 Lapua brass expanded with Lee dies

[jp67]

Hi Guys,

I have 200 pieces of.243 Lapua brass that have necked up to .260.
I am using the Lee full lenght sizing 2 dies set.
(http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1254564948.2305=/html/catalog/dies-rifle.html)
Before putting the brass thru the dies I checked them with Sinclair concentricity gauge to check run out.
It was .001 à .002" before necking up and between .004 and .007 after.
Has anybody got the same issue already?
Is that an issue?
What do you suggest?

Thanks for your help
jp

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: Problem on 243 Lapua brass expanded with Lee d

Do you load for any other calibers? If so, what is your experience with those?

It's either press or dies. The sizing die's expander usually gets the blame. Check the run-out on the expander stem with your gauge; it can be straightened. Polishing the expander ball may help.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Problem on 243 Lapua brass expanded with Lee d

Chances are when you necked up the brass you bent the neck slightly. No biggy, load and shoot. If you jam the bullets in the lands it'll take some of the run out away. Fired brass will be GTG. 99% of the run out we deal with is in the neck area from sizing up or down. You'll be fine.

 

[jp67]

Re: Problem on 243 Lapua brass expanded with Lee d

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Winchester 69</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you load for any other calibers? If so, what is your experience with those?

It's either press or dies. The sizing die's expander usually gets the blame. Check the run-out on the expander stem with your gauge; it can be straightened. Polishing the expander ball may help. </div></div>


yes, I usually reload 222 and 7-08 and never found that much runout.I have no problem either when necking down .307 to 7-08.
The die is to blame, I think.
How do you straighten the stem?
Thanks

 

[jp67]

Re: Problem on 243 Lapua brass expanded with Lee d

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chances are when you necked up the brass you bent the neck slightly. No biggy, load and shoot. If you jam the bullets in the lands it'll take some of the run out away. Fired brass will be GTG. 99% of the run out we deal with is in the neck area from sizing up or down. You'll be fine. </div></div>

I usually use a magasine, so I don't jam the bullets in the lands.
Will it still be GTG?
Thanks
jp

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Problem on 243 Lapua brass expanded with Lee d

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jp67</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chances are when you necked up the brass you bent the neck slightly. No biggy, load and shoot. If you jam the bullets in the lands it'll take some of the run out away. Fired brass will be GTG. 99% of the run out we deal with is in the neck area from sizing up or down. You'll be fine. </div></div>

I usually use a magasine, so I don't jam the bullets in the lands.
Will it still be GTG?
Thanks
jp

</div></div>

Yes. Just fire and re-size them. I've found that when you size the neck down more than .005" at a time or neck up from a smaller caliber you induce run out in it. Try bushing dies and loose the expander ball.

 

[jp67]

Re: Problem on 243 Lapua brass expanded with Lee d

I will be using Redding Neck bushing dies after fire forming.
Hopefully, it should do it.
What method or tools would you suggest to expand the neck up?

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: Problem on 243 Lapua brass expanded with Lee d

Redding has tapered sizing buttons that work with their dies. Some prefer a more expensive expanding mandrel.

Straightening the Lee stem is something I haven't done myself, but generally pliers are mentioned. I would think that those with plain jaws would be preferred. I'm sure there are many ways to accomplish the task.

 

[Country]

Re: Problem on 243 Lapua brass expanded with Lee d

But only one right way. Buy an expander mandrel die and fulllength size after the neck diameter is formed.
That will straighten up the case and neck.
Then fireform . After that seperate the necksizing from the body sizing with a Redding body die and the neck sizer of your choice that does not use an expander ball .
If you use the body die properly you will not loose your fire formed fit of the case in the chamber and reduce wear and tear and work hardening on your brass. Expander balls and old fashioned full length sizing dies are pure murder on brass.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Problem on 243 Lapua brass expanded with Lee d

Reforming cases by necking up ALWAYS produces more runout than necking down. If you can, use .308 cases rather than .243.

And there is no point in even measuring the reformed runout until it's been fired and resized.

 

[Red_SC]

Re: Problem on 243 Lapua brass expanded with Lee d

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Reforming cases by necking up ALWAYS produces more runout than necking down. If you can, use .308 cases rather than .243.

And there is no point in even measuring the reformed runout until it's been fired and resized. </div></div>

If you use .308 to make .260 brass, you'll have to neck turn. I'm shooting that right now, but as soon as I can borrow some time on a chrono I'm going to switch to 7-08 brass.