Resizing 6.5x55 - necks cracking

PinkyPlinker

PinkyPlinker

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Sat down to do some reloading. Started full length sizing once fired Norma. First forty went smooth then I started getting neck cracks and tearing apart. Not every time, but ended up with 12/100 with small cracks to catastrophic failure.

Is this a problem with die, setup, technique, or brass? I'm new to this so any help appreciated! I just did a bunch of Win 30-06 with no issues at all.

Norma, new Lee full length, Rock Chucker Supreme, lubed lightly with Fluid Film

Thanks!

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Those are definitely unique case failures. Are you also lubing inside the neck as well? Sometimes the expander ball could will cause excessive force if the inside case neck isn't lube still it should cause it to shear like that. Are you using the correct caliber die to size? The shoulders doesn't seem right for a 6.5x55swede. somethings funny for sure.
 
Yes, lubing inside the neck. The die says 6.5x55 on it, as does the box. I'll compare with my factory ammo.

Edit - the shoulders match the profile of the PPU I have.

There wasn't much force involved, they would just come out that way. Most were fine.
 
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Did the de-priming pin/expander button get pushed up so its nearly inside the neck sizer? On mine the pin stickes out of the nut on top by about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Much higher and it will start to pinch in the neck sizer bore.
 
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Fluid film is not a good lube for necks, Imperial sizing wax, RCBS case lube would be my pick, if the brass is old it may need to be annealed before sizing.
 
My first guess (like the others here) is inadequate lube inside the neck.

I use the Shake and Bake lube technique, and it leaves a little dab of lube on the case mouth, which lubes the expander.

 
More lube then. My first few 30-06 had shoulder dimples from too much lube. Maybe I've cut back to too little lube. I'll check the deprime pin height too.

Looks like I need to eat a tub's worth of nuts now.
 
Purple shoulder said:
Did the de-priming pin/expander button get pushed up so its nearly inside the neck sizer? .
Click to expand...

That would be my guess as well. Trying to pull the case from the die while the neck is pinched between the expander ball and the neck portion of the die would rip the necks off just like that.
 
Not more lube, use the correct lube for it's intended purposes and leave the fluid film on the shelf with all the other automotive stuff.
 
Are those 6.5 cases from TradeEx? I bought some once fired norma 6.5x55 cases from them and had some what I would consider premature neck cracks, some being radial. I was a bit suspicious about some being truly once fired.
Lee dies have a long, tapered expander, not a button. If the assembly gets pushed up it won't decap.
I wonder if the Fluid Film has gummed up in the die, I have not heard of using it for case lube. I started using Ganderite's meathod a while ago and never looked back!
 
Took the die apart this morning. Think I found the problem. Right at the widest part of the expander there are machine marks from manufacturing. The pic doesn't show it well, but it is really rough, like the lathe, or cnc, whatever, was skipping. I don't think any amount of lube of any kind would have helped. It is really rough, like a wartime Mosin barrel.

I've been buying reloading kit since spring from several sources. I don't remember where I got the die or brass... Hopefully If I contact Lee they will send or sell a replacement pin.

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That's pretty bad QC, even for Lee to let that out of the plant.
Their customer service is excellent however. Send an email and they will actually get right back to you.
I found one of mine in the scrap bucket.
UZk0ERQ581LSNvkKHgVhwSBOK448KSnvE7a2e6tJfRvzZ5MNHr-NjHtsO2IxQw7Vg5sTjndR3J9X4h4pcNAkFV2NAJPBfuu_wOPI9voMWB729YDi3-MRSX4M6J00Y43ZD0kSvGFjdw
 
As for Fluid Film, if you do a google search for "Fluid Film case lube" you'll find tons of praise for it. So as a newbie I tend to read and watch as much as possible before I try. Worked really well with the 30-06. I like Ganderite's method though so I'll try that next.

I put the FF on my rolling pad, leaves a nice light film, and then press the mouth into the pad leaving a bit around the inside and outside of the mouth. Maybe not enough on inside, I don't know. Still too inexperienced.
 
kawicrash said:
That's pretty bad QC, even for Lee to let that out of the plant.
Their customer service is excellent however. Send an email and they will actually get right back to you.
I found one of mine in the scrap bucket.
UZk0ERQ581LSNvkKHgVhwSBOK448KSnvE7a2e6tJfRvzZ5MNHr-NjHtsO2IxQw7Vg5sTjndR3J9X4h4pcNAkFV2NAJPBfuu_wOPI9voMWB729YDi3-MRSX4M6J00Y43ZD0kSvGFjdw
Click to expand...

That sure looks like what I'm seeing. Maybe the brass is to blame too... I have ordered lots of stuff from Tradex, good chance that's where I got my brass.
 
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