Sinclair Mandrel Die or Carbide Sizing Ball?

[pmclaine]

Im in the process of gathering tools to set up for loading .308 and .223.

I load on a Dillon S1050 running two tool heads, one for prep the second for loading.

Currently for 30-06 loading I set the prep tool head up as follows

1. FL size die with sizing ball. Sizer is set to just initially size the case (80%) its main function is deprime and ironing out neck dings.
2. Swage
3. Empty
4. Empty
5. RT1200 with trim/size die that trims brass and brings the case to FL size dimension.
6. Empty
7. Empty

My loading tool head is set up as follows

1. Universal decap to punch out media
2. Empty
3. Prime
4. Powder
5. Empty - Pull case and trickle to weight
6. Seat
7. Empty

Loading progressive Im not expecting lovingly made single stage bench rest rounds but I get pretty good ammo and want to improve where I can.

I think the Dillon trim/size die really squeezes the necks of my brass. I get a little wasp waist where the bullet seats. I dont crimp so this may be a good thing. Im wondering if I can make it a better thing by using the Sinclair mandrel die after the cases are FL sized. I think this may get me a uniform minus .001 neck tension.

Any thoughts on adding a mandrel die to my rifle loading setups?

If it matters Im not annealing, though I really would like a Gracey Annealer at some point in time.

Thank you for your time.

 

[maggitas]

some people swear that taking the expander ball out makes a huge difference. In my estimation if you are shooting a semi I would stick with the expander ball but if you are shooting a bolt then I would go with the mandrel die. The mandrel die will give much better neck tension control and will enable you to manufacture concentric ammo.

 

[Rangemaster]

I have the exact same setup on my 1050.
What you could do and I do this on some of my rounds is use a Lee collet die in place of the universal.

The lee collet die has a mandrel.

 

[pmclaine]

Okay it appears you guys are saving me from buying more stuff. Thank you.