Preparing .303 Brass

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All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should be treated as suspect and not used.

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nfarmer

Preparing .303 Brass

#1 Post by nfarmer »

During the course of Neck Re-sizing some fireformed HXP brass I had four failures out of approx 130. I am using Lee Pacesetter 3 Die set mounted in a Lee 4 hole turret press. As each of the four failures went into the die i noticed noticeably stronger resistance than for the others and then the resistance became much less and when I withdrew the brass they were squashed! Picture of two below.

Image

Any ideas as to why?

Cheers

Norman
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TattooedGun
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Re: Preparing .303 Brass

#2 Post by TattooedGun »

Did you lube the cases?
nfarmer

Re: Preparing .303 Brass

#3 Post by nfarmer »

No, the perceived wisdom seems to be that neck re-sizing dosent require lube
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Re: Preparing .303 Brass

#4 Post by TattooedGun »

Perceived from where...?

It seems to me that the case necks on these 4 out of 130 bound to the die and got squashed, whereas if they were lubed, there would have been less friction for them to bind...

I always lube, neck or full size.
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Re: Preparing .303 Brass

#5 Post by Rockhopper »

One of the advantages mentioned when the neck size / full length sizing debate comes up is that you don't need to lube for neck sizing.

How true this is in reality I don't know. I don't lube for .303 or .308.
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Re: Preparing .303 Brass

#6 Post by WelshShooter »

nfarmer wrote:No, the perceived wisdom seems to be that neck re-sizing dosent require lube
Here lies the problem. The Lee Pacesetter 3-die kit contains the full length sizing die, seating die and factory crimping die. You must always lube cases when using the full length sizing die. If you wish to neck size, then you must buy the separate lee collet neck sizing die, which does not require the use of lubricant.
nfarmer

Re: Preparing .303 Brass

#7 Post by nfarmer »

WelshShooter wrote:
nfarmer wrote:No, the perceived wisdom seems to be that neck re-sizing dosent require lube
Here lies the problem. The Lee Pacesetter 3-die kit contains the full length sizing die, seating die and factory crimping die. You must always lube cases when using the full length sizing die. If you wish to neck size, then you must buy the separate lee collet neck sizing die, which does not require the use of lubricant.
Sorry badly explained, forgot to say I had also purchased a Lee collet sizing die
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Re: Preparing .303 Brass

#8 Post by bradaz11 »

So which die did these get squashed in?
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nfarmer

Re: Preparing .303 Brass

#9 Post by nfarmer »

bradaz11 wrote:So which die did these get squashed in?
As stated in the original post the neck sizing die
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Re: Preparing .303 Brass

#10 Post by TattooedGun »

If you're not lubing the cases in a collet die, then you may need to be greasing the collet components inside the die for optimal performance and to stop binding.
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