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Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? #7006081 12/21/17 11:36 PM
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Big Fitz Offline OP
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I've been reading where some don't use the expander ball when using bushing dies. Kinda makes sense to me but not sure. Thoughts from those who are using bushing dies?


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Big Fitz] #7006159 12/22/17 12:33 AM
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to me, an expander ball defeats the whole purpose if a bushing die. if you use one, it is setting your neck tension and not the bushing size.

Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Big Fitz] #7006242 12/22/17 01:22 AM
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Originally Posted By: Big Fitz
I've been reading where some don't use the expander ball when using bushing dies. Kinda makes sense to me but not sure. Thoughts from those who are using bushing dies?


Have not really worried about it.


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Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Big Fitz] #7006254 12/22/17 01:29 AM
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Good topic I’m currently trying to decide if I want to go with a bushing sizer or not. I know I want to FL size my brass every time but not sure which die I want to use for my 6.5 yet

Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Big Fitz] #7006262 12/22/17 01:34 AM
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First thing I do is pull the expander. It screws up the sizing your bushing just did.


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Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Judd] #7006332 12/22/17 02:33 AM
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Originally Posted By: Judd
First thing I do is pull the expander. It screws up the sizing your bushing just did.


^^ Exactly.


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Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Big Fitz] #7006338 12/22/17 02:37 AM
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Thanks. Makes sense but just wanted to get confirmation from those who have been down this path.


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Big Fitz] #7006342 12/22/17 02:40 AM
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When you get a set of bushing dies, it should have a replacement plug (or whatever you call it) that replaces the expander ball, so you don't expand the neck out after the bushing. I know Redding and RCSB have these plugs.

Just make sure you have enough neck tension on the bullet. And, don't seat the bullet touching or jamming into the lands this way. I have seen guys pull the bolt back on a loaded round, and the bullet stick in the rifling during a competition, and the rifle is out of commission until you remove bullet and spilled powder, which is a PITA.

KISS= Keep it simple. I stopped messing with the neck only sizing with light neck tension and such. Ammo will shoot just fine with a FL size or partial bump with .003"-.006" neck tension (or more in some cases) with a FL size.


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Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Big Fitz] #7006355 12/22/17 02:49 AM
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Thanks Chad. My Redding and Whidden dies do have them. Now that I've learned this final secret, I'll be competing with Judd with my mega-accurate 6. aim


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Big Fitz] #7006366 12/22/17 02:55 AM
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You bet, Tim! The name of the game is consistency. Keep everything the same, and the ammo will be consistent. The case prep is a key factor (and my least favorite!!).


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Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Big Fitz] #7006393 12/22/17 03:09 AM
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Thanks for the info guys! Can ya'll point me toward a good micrometer seating die and a good FL sizing die? I don't think I want to mess with bushing dies unless I can be convinced I need to. There are a lot of options out there so I'm looking for someone who's been in the game a lot longer than me to tell me exactly what dies they recommend. This will be for my 6.5 creedmoor.

Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Big Fitz] #7006462 12/22/17 03:42 AM
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^^ You can load some great match grade ammo with a standard FL die and regular seating die. The micrometer seaters are nice, but not needed. When I first started shooting comps, I loaded 300 WM ammo with a 1960's model CH Tool and Die press, FL dies, and an old balance beam. With the powder charges very consistent, it would shoot 1000 yards no problem. I find myself going back to keeping things simple again, and not messing with all the high end reloading techniques. (but then again, I shoot a TON of 308!!).

I prefer the regular Hornady dies. They have a nice tear dropped expander ball that I really like. The RCBS and Redding dies are more square at the bottom, and will sometimes catch on the lip of a case and damage it. Hornady seater dies are great to use. I love the hand adjustable seating adjustments. RCBS you have to use pliers and screw drivers to make adjustments, which slow me down and are annoying.


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Re: Bushing Dies - Use Expander Ball or Not? [Re: Big Fitz] #7006484 12/22/17 04:03 AM
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I've been using Lee dies in my .308 and with my very methodical approach I'm making some fantastic loads that shoot very well. I'm not entirely sure why I don't just buy a set of Lee dies for the creedmoor and call it good. It's probably because I have a hard time leaving well enough alone

I might try the hornady route

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