Neck sizing and then there is neck expanding. When I size a case the neck expander does not contact the inside of the neck when the ram is raised. My expander contact the inside of the neck when the ram/case is lowered.
Lube: I have had cases that required as many as three squeaks to pull the expander through the neck. Pushing the expander through the neck is different. When the expander makes that sound when being pulled through the neck the neck requires cleaning, requires annealing; when lubing the inside of the neck I lube to top of the expander (again) because the expander is inside of the neck when it contacts the neck.
And then there is forming/expanding the neck (necking up) or sizing a case that has been sized. there are benefits to using a carbide expander when necking up. Many years ago Dillon made carbide expanders for RCBS sizing die. instead of being round they started out with a triangle shape and then became round.
And then there is the pulling of the neck when the ram is lowered and that story told by reloaders that claim the shoulder is pulled out and that causes an increase in head space. No one measures before and again after with one exception; I have never experienced an increase in case length from the shoulder to the case head that was/is caused by lowering the ram while expanding the neck.
I have experienced a decrease in case length from the mouth of the case to the case head when necking up. Expanding the neck shortens the length of the case, I have wildcat cases that have shortened .045" in the process of forming, necking up before firing.
F. Guffey
Lube: I have had cases that required as many as three squeaks to pull the expander through the neck. Pushing the expander through the neck is different. When the expander makes that sound when being pulled through the neck the neck requires cleaning, requires annealing; when lubing the inside of the neck I lube to top of the expander (again) because the expander is inside of the neck when it contacts the neck.
And then there is forming/expanding the neck (necking up) or sizing a case that has been sized. there are benefits to using a carbide expander when necking up. Many years ago Dillon made carbide expanders for RCBS sizing die. instead of being round they started out with a triangle shape and then became round.
And then there is the pulling of the neck when the ram is lowered and that story told by reloaders that claim the shoulder is pulled out and that causes an increase in head space. No one measures before and again after with one exception; I have never experienced an increase in case length from the shoulder to the case head that was/is caused by lowering the ram while expanding the neck.
I have experienced a decrease in case length from the mouth of the case to the case head when necking up. Expanding the neck shortens the length of the case, I have wildcat cases that have shortened .045" in the process of forming, necking up before firing.
F. Guffey