Modify Neck Expander

[petroid]

I PC a Lee 312-185-1R boolit for my MN 91-30 and size to 314. My Lee dies have a .311 expander but I don't like how much neck tension this puts on the boolit. What do you all think about getting, say, an 8mm expander and turning it down to about .313? Can I do it with a drill press and some sandpaper or is there a better option? I may even try to open the die up a little bit so it doesn't size down too much to begin with to extend brass life. What do you think?

[Captain Capsize]

Sure you can do it but I think I would also use several different grits of sharpening stones to keep the sides perpendicular.

[r1kk1]

See if Lee will make you one.

Take care

r1kk1

[petroid]

I'll contact lee but trying to be real cheap

[seagiant]

Hi,
I'd leave the die alone,expander balls/rods are cheaper. What you can try is chuck the rod with expander in drill then take a dremel with a stone and grind lighty as the drill turns, then polish with sandpaper!

http://rickaverill.com/projects-past-and-present/lapping-reloading-dies/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaHrO4Rh7ns

[DougGuy]

Lee is not taking in any custom work right now at all.

[Silverboolit]

Call Titan Reloading and ask if a mosin collet die would work with a different mandrel. Just an idea.

[petroid]

Call Titan Reloading and ask if a mosin collet die would work with a different mandrel. Just an idea.

I cant seem to find 7.62x54R collet dies anywhere. That would be the ideal fix since i don't truly FL resize my brass but leave it a little short of all the way in the die which effectively only neck sizes it. I have seen them listed before, but no longer. I wonder, have they been discontinued?

[blikseme300]

It is easy to open up the neck sizing portion of a rifle die using a brass cylinder lap with the appropriate lapping paste. I got these items from McMaster-Carr.

I have also bought expander balls from Hornady as a starting point for custom sizes. Easy to make smaller using 1000 wet/dry paper and spun in a drill or lathe.

[EDG]

I have the Lee 2014 catalog and there is no collet die for the 7.62R.
You could get one for the .303 Brit and have the bottom of the collet trimmed to the right length.


I cant seem to find 7.62x54R collet dies anywhere. That would be the ideal fix since i don't truly FL resize my brass but leave it a little short of all the way in the die which effectively only neck sizes it. I have seen them listed before, but no longer. I wonder, have they been discontinued?

[gray wolf]

I would think if you measured the outside of the case neck--and then seated a bullet and measured it again the difference would be the neck tension.

[nhrifle]

If you send me an oversize expander I will turn it to whatever diameter you want. Let me know. I have done this before and it works fine.

[abunaitoo]

I do it all the time.
I like to fit the case neck to the boolet size.
I've found that .338 expanders work the best. Reason is the stem is long.
Some of the others are to short to get a good hold in the holder screw/bolt.
Before I got the lathe, I used to resize them in a powered drill with a file and sandpaper.

[krallstar]

I have the Lee 2014 catalog and there is no collet die for the 7.62R.
You could get one for the .303 Brit and have the bottom of the collet trimmed to the right length.
This is what i am planning on doing. It should work.

[country gent]

A easy way to do this is start next size expander bigger. Most are hard/tough file may or may not cut it, and it could be hard on the file. spin in a drill motor a drill press is better lathe is best at around 1000 rpms or higher. Use a 6" fine file to back a strip of emery cloth/sand paper start around 150 grit. watch sisze close and work to 1000 grit then a light polish with crocus cloth or cloth with red buffing compound in it. Will be a nice mirror finish when done