I just acquired some brass in .30-06. The LC 45 will need to be SB sized because my bolt won't close on it. This brass is also extremely difficult to swage using the RCBS press mounted swager. Since I am going to but a SB die I figured unwound speed up my swaging using one of these two swagers. I can't tell from reading on the net if the RCBS will swage '06 brass or not but I'm pretty sure the Dillon does. I'm going to purchase tomorrow based off what you guys recommend. Thanks...
RCBS bench mounted swagger vs Dillon SS 600
- Thread starter GhostFace
- Start date
Although I didn't vote as I haven't had any experience with the Dillon I do own the RCBS and have used it to swage 223, 308 and 30-06. It's a lot better than the press mounted by far. I keep mine mounted on a block of wood that I can c-clamp it to my bench or just free handed it. This way it's not tying up space on my bench and can be pulled out to use as needed.
Is the LC 45 brass circa 1945? If so, two caveats: 1: Primers are corrosive. Be sure to water wash after depriming. 2: Age hardening/brittle cracking can occur. I have seen the better part of a Browning BAR bent and ruined when the case ruptured...it was a early 50's case. Be prudent. JMHO
Will annealing help with this? If so I will buy a propane torch and anneal the case holding it with pliers. Damn this LC45 brass is costing me dome money... I also acquired 200 pieces of match brass, I think the year is 57. It is much softer than the 45, the 45 is hard so I think it will need to be annealed. Do you anneal before or after sizing?
Annealing will help the neck and shoulder. The split I saw was lengthwise of the brass. Annealing won't help that because you must NOT anneal the body and base part of the case. The LC45 may have been machine gun fired expanding it more than boltgun chambers will. Personally, I'd toss it and look for brass 60 and above. (Even 60's is half a century old!!!) Rifles and eyes cost a lot. JMHO
I'm pretty sure this was shot in a garand, the guy I bought it from is a garand shooter, I've bought brass from him before and a handfull were a little hard to lock the bolt after being FL sized. I know he has more than one and I'm thinking one has a looser chamber than the others.
