Expander body die/mandrels

titch--

titch--

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I got a 22BR and was thinking of trying out the 21stCentury setup for it.

Never played around with one before, so....

I hear people say if you do get one, to get the body die with the window in it.
Like this
https://www.hirschprecision.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=100_287&products_id=4484

Then all I need to get started would be this mandrel?
https://www.hirschprecision.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=100_287&products_id=4439

This would be the setup to get me going for the 22BR? Would you play around with any other different size mandrels?

cheers
 
titch, depends on use. Some FTR shooters are doing .0005" neck tension which we advise is too light for hunting and PRS. Most use .022" for the .22 calibres, which gives 2 thou neck tension.
Note: 223 and 22 CF designated bullets are actuallty.224" diameter.

Regards,

Peter
 
Yeah all Im just shooting is steal and paper with my buddies for fun.

So the mandrel that I linked to is a single mandrel?

EDIT: just making sure my math is right. .0005 would work out to to a .2235 mandrel, correct?
 
Consider that the bullet is .223, for .002 neck tension, you want about a .221. Depends on what you are doing with the gun, a .221, and two sizes smaller, depending on springback on brass, may need the smaller two to achieve somewhere between the 2215 to 2205 zone, which is .0015 to .0025 tension area. I would be checking for setback if running a mag, .0015 and a bullet on the heavier side of things for caliber, you may find you need to go to .002 or .0025.
 
Yeah I should of watched a few more videos and got a better understanding on this before coming here and lookin like a fool. lol I would of just got a collet die for the 22br if they would have them without out custom ordering it. :)
 
titch, .223 bullets are actually .224", so your math is correct. As mentioned, most use a mandrel .002" smaller than bullet diameter. I corrected my post as it now reads .22 as the most common mandrel size.

Regards,

Peter
 
I use their "black nitride TURNING arbor". They are sized .002 under bullet diameter. I bought the dry lube media, but with the nitride finish I don't even use that.

The die with the window certainly would help during set up, but if you're only doing it for one caliber you only really have to set your lock ring up once. It's nice, but not required.

Also, my die has an aluminum top, I was/am concerned with how the aluminum will hold up, but it's been thousands of cycles now and no problems yet.

I think I thought if I'd bought the full kit I'd spend too much time tinkering and second guessing, when realistically I just need consistent reloads and to shoot more.
 
Also, I don't know what your current set up is, but if you're using the expanding mandrel you're going to remove the expander ball from your other dies (or thats what I do so im only expanding the neck once).

On my dies I cant put the decapping pin on without the ball. So you're either grinding the ball down, or getting a universal decapping die.

Adds another die to buy, (if you don't have one) and another trip through the press.
 
OK guys I watched a few more vids and with your help. I think I got it. lol

So 22 cal 224 using the .222 would give me approx 2 thou NT. Give or take brass spring back or lack there of. I know you talked about Fclass guys going lighter. Whats the point of that really? Is going lighter or harder kind of just like finding the right powder charge weights? Find what your rifle likes?

Yeah I was going to use my FL die without the expander ball thingy in it, then use the mandrel. If this works good for me and I like it. I could use it for my calibers as well.

cheers
 
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