RCBS electronic trim pro issues with pilot binding.

[ChrisO]

So when I go to trim my .308 Brass my .30 cal pilot seems to be binding in the case mouth on my RCBS power trim pro II. I'm indexing it right off the shell holder. The only thing I can think of is the expander ball in my RCBS small base resizing die isn't quite doing it's job? I have it set so the depriming pin is .400 out of the base of the die per factory recommendation. Any ideas?

[GILMORE619]

Sounds like the expander ball is not opening up the case mouth. Do you have another sizing die you can try?

[Whiterabbit]

mic the pilot. If the pilot is good AND you are happy with the neck tension you get off your expanding ball, polish the pilot till it runs smooth.

[ChrisO]

I'm using a RCBS small base AR die set... I'm fine with the tension just starting to think the expander isn't maybe out of spec...

[Whiterabbit]

If you are fine with the neck tension, then spec or not the expander is just fine. Then you polish your trim pilot.

If you don't like your neck tension (maybe shaving copper on the bullets, or bullets are loose, or you "need to crimp" to get performance you want..), then start by fixing the expander (polish, replace, etc) then tune the pilot to match.

Guns are still very much a cottage industry, if you expect fine enough fitting of everything (and many of us do!). Extra fitting of all our accessories is normal, and when done well shows in downrange performance.

[ChrisO]

Checked the pilot with my calipers and it's just fine the expander ball I'm thinking is on the small side so I'm having a new one sent by RCBS. Not to mention it actually looks like my decapping pin/assembly on the die looks to be slightly off center now that I'm really looking at it.

[Whiterabbit]

Good luck to you.