[tvc15]

NOW THAT I HAVE EVERYTHING TO reload. I FIGURED I TRY TO DECAP AND RESIZE MY OLD .270 BRASS. FOLLOWED ALL DIRECTIONS AND EVERYTHING FEELS GREAT. QUESTION 1. THE CASE OPENING MEASURES .270 BEFORE RESIZING AND .260 AFTER. CAN THIS BE THE CALIPERS? THEY SEEM TO BE ZEROED. QUESTION 2. I ASSUME WITH THE FULL lenght DIES THE NECK IS RESIZED ON THE UPWARD MOTION AND THE EXPANDER BALL FINISHES THE JOB ON THE DOWNSTROKE. QUESTION 3 HOW LONG DOES THE EXPANDER BALL LAST. (THESE ARE USED RCBS DIES.) FYI iamb NOT RELOADING YET JUST PLAYING AROUND FIGURE I CAN'T SCREW TO MUCH UP JUST RESIZING. THANKS IN ADVANCE, tvc15

 

[butlerford45]

First, please release the CAP'S LOCK, it makes your post hard to read.
The sizing die reduces the size of the neck so that when you seat the bullet the tension will hold the bullet in place.
I don't reload 270 but the numbers SOUND correct.
With a little lube inside the neck the expander ball should last a long time. I have never worn one out.
You'd be suprised just how much you can screw up just resizing!! I know this for fact!
A GOOD reloading manual will explain what's happening and why it's happening at every step and what some of the more common mistakes are, why they are occuring and how to correct them.

 

[stimpylu32]

#1 - I think you have a caliper problem a standard 270 bullet measures .277 so if you are getting .260 it will never fit .

#2 - Yes the dies work as you think , they are squeezed down on the up stroke and pushed out to the proper dia. by the ball on the down stroke --kind of a crude exp. but you get the idea

#3 - As long as you use a little lube on the inside they will last and last

 

[tvc15]

Thanks for the info. I cleaned and re-zeroed the calipers. Now all the measuerments match the manual. One more question. The cases are once fired factory ammo and they already measure the size the manual says is the max, so I should trim the cases .001 below this measurment like the manual suggests? Thanks in advance TVC15

 

[GregP42]

Thanks for the info. I cleaned and re-zeroed the calipers. Now all the measuerments match the manual. One more question. The cases are once fired factory ammo and they already measure the size the manual says is the max, so I should trim the cases .001 below this measurment like the manual suggests? Thanks in advance TVC15

TVC15,

Yes, trim the cases! If they get too long they can jam in the throat of the chamber, when you fire the bullet is stuck because of the extra clamping force, yes the bullet will leave, but not until the pressure has gone past what it should. This could result in a stuck case, stuck bolt, blown primer etc. I always measure after resizing, then I trim to minium length, or -.005 which ever is greater.

Greg

 

[jbmauser]

The die and the expander will last indefinetly in that grit and dirt in the neck is the only thing that can degrade them. Working the brass will never effect them as brass is as soft as putty compared to the steel. Dies can be scored and thus worn by other extraneous material and matter. The advice on cleaning and lubing the necks is spot on. JB

 

[Throckmorton]

Cleaning the inside of the case necks,and then applying a dab of lube in there will prevent the expander ball from stretching the brass out .I have a set that will jerk the oal out several thousandths. Next time I have to use them I will mike and polish the ball and see if that helps.I mean it REALLY is a tight fit.
IF you are firing cases fired in YOUR rifle only,there are neck sizing dies that can save ya some time and effort.Not reccomended for semi-autos and 30-30's though.They benefit greatly from full length sizing.

 

[tvc15]

Thanks for all the great info. After lubing the sizer and the brass how do you clean it? I am afraid of contaminating the powder. thanks again, TVC15

 

[stimpylu32]

I just throw them back in the tumbler for about 15 min. but if you don't have one then just wipe them down with a peace of old bath towel and use a q-tip on the inside 8)

 

[DPRinks]

Cleaning neck

I just get a nylon percolator brush , fits just about anything.