6.5x284 convert to 284 Shehane - brass shoulder cave in

[No Fear in Accuracy]

Hi,

I've been shooting with 6.5x284 and it shoots well. I ordered two blue boxes of Lapua brass (6.5x284). I ordered a brand new custom rifle with 7mm barrel.
I have a 7mm mandrel and it expands from 6.5 to .284(7mm).

I tipped the brass neck in the dry neck lube and pressed into the mandrel die.
It has been no problem after 50 brass then I felt hard to press it. Then I saw a funny looking shoulder cave-in brass. I did tipped every brass neck to the dry lube.
Then from now on, I took the mandrel out and tipped it to the dry lube and ran smoothly for a while.

Do you think the Lapua brass neck is a bit too hard to expand that causes to push the shoulder down or the mandrel and/or the brass neck didn't get enough lubrication?

I still think it is funny! New brass design?

 

[Alpheus]

If it happened once in 50 pieces, I'd be tempted to blame a defect in the crushed case. Most new Lapua cases I've used have slightly undersized necks straight out of the box.

Another step, if you have the expander, is to expand to .277, anneal and then expand to .284. More labor intensive. I would just keep the cases well lubed and periodically clean and re-lube the mandrel.

I've been collecting Winchester brass for my Shehane.

Great photo, BTW

 

[358Rooster]

Looks like you have a bit of galling on the mandrel. Chuck the mandrel in a drill and use some Scotchbrite or fine emery cloth to remove the brass. Don't get crazy with it though. I use a Hornady neck die with the long tapered expander to neck up 6.5-284 Lapua brass and have never had trouble. I even got brave (and superlatively lazy) and sized a full new box DRY! Not a hitch....

Rooster

 

[jfarrell]

I have done thousands like this. I first stared with a .277 then the 284, but then I found a step mandrel from KM that goes from 277 to 284 and really speeds up the process

 

[cosmic]

You might want to try using oil as a lubricant rather than dry lube. Something fairly thick, like 30 wt motor oil. Yes, you'll have to remove it after....

 

[Snider shooter]

I made up a few long tapered stems for increasing neck size. I use Lee lube inside the case mouths. One case in 50 could just be a defect.

 

[bcsteve]

I'd use some real case lube or Imperial Wax for case forming. Dry graphite is fine for lubing the neck when normal sizing but I'd use something better for case forming.

 

[dan belisle]

I'd use some real case lube or Imperial Wax for case forming. Dry graphite is fine for lubing the neck when normal sizing but I'd use something better for case forming.

This. - dan

 

[Dmay]

I'd use some real case lube or Imperial Wax for case forming. Dry graphite is fine for lubing the neck when normal sizing but I'd use something better for case forming.

I'd use this stuff....best there is (IMO)

 

[remington jim]

u missed the lube on that one ! RJ