Started using 5.7 brass as 30cal jackets. I have a 0.257" core swage but to use unmodified 5.7 brass I'd have to at least expand the neck ID to 0.260" or more. Let me know your recommendations and thanks in advance.
Started using 5.7 brass as 30cal jackets. I have a 0.257" core swage but to use unmodified 5.7 brass I'd have to at least expand the neck ID to 0.260" or more. Let me know your recommendations and thanks in advance.
A tapered expander can go from .308 to .375 in one pass. It should work for you also.
Do you have any reloading dies that aren in the .26 to .285 range? Examples would be 6.5 creed more, 6.5x55, 7x57 etc...
On a standard reloading press use a shell holder for the 5.7 case (RCBS #45, Lee #15, etc..) Use the reloading die with decapping rod/neck expander in order to open up the neck of the 5.7 cases. Do this step before running the 5.7 cases through a sizing ring to bring them to ~307 for making bullet jackets. Then insert your lead core (the opened neck should allow the core to go in). Then swage the core & jackets, then through the pointing swage die.
At least that's the way I prepare my 5.7 cases to use for jackets in my Corbin .308 Swage dies. I do not push the neck open with a single stroke; rather I bump the neck top open, lift bump again, and again 3 to 4 times to open the neck using this technique. I do this to avoid crumpled/telescoped necks which can occur unless I do the "Bump Process" I mentioned.
I do NOT believe that the tapered expander mentioned by garagdsrus will accomplish what you want to do.
Last edited by MUSTANG; 05-31-2021 at 10:17 PM.
Mustang
"In the beginning... the patriot is a scarce man, and brave and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain.
To lazy to chase arrows.
Clodhopper
Will a lee expander die not work?
Sinclairintl.com
Under reloading supplies case prep.
QUIS CUSTODIET IPSOS CUSTODES?
The Lee Expander dies are basically two different "Cone Angles".
The slim expander will still dramatically expand the Mouth area of the 5.7 case - compared to the area where the existing neck area meets the body of the 5.7 Case.
Using a 6.5 creed more, 6.5 x 55, 7 x 57, etc.. will result in an expanded neck that has the wall of the neck area "Straight", not dramatically belled. Excessive belling of the neck area will often result in the neck area splitting, then the jacket can not be used at the total length for making a jacket bullet (you could cut out the split area and use for a shorter/lighter weight bullet jacket).
Mustang
"In the beginning... the patriot is a scarce man, and brave and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain.
Too bad you don't have a blank Barrel and just fire form it.
My die with the internal ejector was built because cases often had rim damage from using the shell holder to pull the case off the expander.
To lazy to chase arrows.
Clodhopper
I also use a Corbin (Top Punch) "E" Punch ; .290 inches in diameter, in order to open up the mouth of 5.7x28 when making jackets on my Corbin S-Press.
Mustang
"In the beginning... the patriot is a scarce man, and brave and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain.
Last edited by garandsrus; 06-20-2021 at 12:09 AM.
My comment is based on the Lee Expander being a "Cone". If one expands the mouth area to the desired diameter; then below the mouth is too small for the lead core to be inserted. If one expands the entire neck to where the junction with the neck and body are wide enough to allow the core to be exerted - then the mouth is "Too Wide" or at risk of splitting.
In the case off the "E" die I mention in post #10 above; the die punch has a gently sloping area (similar to a boolit/bullet Ogive area) that tapers to the shaft body that has a maximum width; in the case of the punch I use for this application - the max diameter is .290. This allows expanding the mouth down to the shoulder - forming a new "Body" in the old mouth to shoulder area that is about the same size as the body of the old 5.7x28 case.
In essence the "Tapered Punch" mentioned by garandsrus is the equivalency of my "E" die punch.
Mustang
"In the beginning... the patriot is a scarce man, and brave and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain.
A 6.5 cal. lyman "m" die might work, but a 6.5 tcu size die might work.
Here is the expander I made to convert 30-30 brass to 375 Win, .308 to .375 with one stroke of the press. I haven’t lost any cases to splits, but it may happen at some point. Several other people have used this same style with similar results. You can see the marks on the tapered plug where the expanding starts and the final position of the case. The shell plate pulls the brass off the plug very easily.
Going from .223 to .260 should work the same way.
Yep - Concur. Your pic is similar to the Corbin "E" punch profile. I have limited out on Pic Space so can not publish (or link for some reason) to pics any more.
Mustang
"In the beginning... the patriot is a scarce man, and brave and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain.
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