Author Topic: Expander ball question? (Read 652 times)

Reloader · « **on:** February 24, 2003, 07:41:32 PM »

I neck sized some 300 H&H cases awhile back and loaded up some 165 grain Partitions in them. Neck tension was fine.

Today I loaded some 180 grain Hornadys and the neck tension was loose enough that the bullets would move from finger pressure. I seated the bullets to final oal of 3.600" and then proceeded to crimp the cases.

I put a couple of them in the magazine of my rifle and touched one off and sure enough the bullets were moving back in the case. I plan to single load the rest of them and use them for target practice.

Upon measuring the expander ball in the neck sizer and then one out of the full length sizer, I find that the ball from the neck sizer is a couple of thousandths larger than the one from the full length sizer. Both dies are from RCBS.

My question is, is this a normal variation built into the expander balls or do I have something out of whack here? :eek:

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2003, 08:47:06 PM »

I would say you have an oversized expander ball. The bullet should seat in nice and tight like the first ones did. If you can push them with your fingers they are definitly too lose. KN

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2003, 01:00:55 AM »

Two sides to the coin - one, again an example of the classic definition of assume; and two, you have here an expander ball that might work very well for cast bullets (which are often several thou oversize). If all you shoot is jacketed, you may want to turn the larger one down to match the smaller - on a lathe or chucked up in a drill press.

coltfan · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2003, 03:44:40 AM »

I would suggest contacting RCBS and detailing the situation to them. All my reloading tools and dies are RCBS, and while I have never had any problem with any of their equipment, I have seen other posts where people who did have a problem raved about their customer service. I do know that their dies have a lifetime guarantee, so having them replace the expander ball should be no problem at all.

Reloader · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2003, 08:49:50 AM »

:-D I posted this same question via e-mail to RCBS last night.

This morning I got this reply. "A new decapping unit along with the brass screws you requested will be sent right away.

Is this a great company or what? :-D