Processing brass in Bulk

[ar15barrels]

Is it possible to set a Lyman "M" Die up to not flare the brass and still size the entire length of the neck???

Sure.
The expanding stem is about 5/8" long before the step.

[buffybuster]

If Dillon would offer a cutter that will chamfer and deburr like the Giraud.....nirvana!

Wonder if the Giraud cutter could be married to the Dillon setup?

[freakshow10mm]

Time and money.

[ZakAttackMan]

If Dillon would offer a cutter that will chamfer and deburr like the Giraud.....nirvana!

Wonder if the Giraud cutter could be married to the Dillon setup?

There is no need to chamfer and deburr with the dillon.

[buffybuster]

There is no need to chamfer and deburr with the dillon.

That's true for bulk 3-gun or blasting ammo. But for precision match ammo I don't want risk nicking the boat-tail.

[ar15barrels]

That's true for bulk 3-gun or blasting ammo. But for precision match ammo I don't want risk nicking the boat-tail.

The dillon trimmer die over-sizes the neck.
I don't use the dillon trimmer for precision rifle ammo.

I use my redding bushing neck die and a giraud for that.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Anyone have any feedback on the FLOATING DIE TOOLHEAD?

I PMed someone about this a while back (with a few other questions), but never got a response.

Anyone have any first-hand experience with this?

In Christ: Raymond

[JC Smith]

Interesting tool head. I wonder if it makes a real difference? I always wait to lock-ring my die body (Dillon 550B) until I have it adjusted and am on the upstroke with a case in the die.

On a different topic, I see no mention of lubing the inside of the case necks (except the dip in synthetic oil idea). Where does that get done in your systems, or does it even get done? I've tried two methods, the RCBS neck brush with just a touch of case lube and the Lyman dry mica lube. Neither is ideal.

[RaymondMillbrae]

JCSmith,

CLICK HERE to read a bit more about this tool head. (I don't want to steal this threads thunder).

Is seems to be a gret tool, and I have ordered one.

More later...on another thread!

In Christ: Raymond

[ar15barrels]

On a different topic, I see no mention of lubing the inside of the case necks (except the dip in synthetic oil idea). Where does that get done in your systems, or does it even get done? I've tried two methods, the RCBS neck brush with just a touch of case lube and the Lyman dry mica lube. Neither is ideal.

The dust from tumbling media acts as a dry lube for inside the neck.
It's not necessary to lube the neck when you are expanding on the down stroke as tapered expanders are more gentle than a traditional expander ball that pulls through on the up stroke.

Please take the discussion of that floating toolhead elsewhere.
It has nothing to do with this stickied topic.
You would get much better responses by simply starting a new thread for that subject.

[sigfan91]

Questions:

1. How much does this set up cost?

2. What powers it?

[JF99]

Randall and Joe,

Thanks for your excellent write-ups of your XL650 brass processing systems. I've set up a .223 processing toolhead following your examples (RCBS lube die, Dillon sizer/trimmer, Dillon powder die) and I'm wondering what kind of consistency as to headspace and OAL is reasonable to expect.

My first batches weren't very consistent at all, so I installed the Uniquetek toolhead clamp kit (http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1230) and a thrust bearing/washers under the shellplate bolt. Still getting iffy results though.

What sort of consistency do you get, and are there any tips/tricks to improve it?

Thanks again,
Josh

[ar15barrels]

Randall and Joe,

Thanks for your excellent write-ups of your XL650 brass processing systems. I've set up a .223 processing toolhead following your examples (RCBS lube die, Dillon sizer/trimmer, Dillon powder die) and I'm wondering what kind of consistency as to headspace and OAL is reasonable to expect.

My first batches weren't very consistent at all, so I installed the Uniquetek toolhead clamp kit (http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1230) and a thrust bearing/washers under the shellplate bolt. Still getting iffy results though.

What sort of consistency do you get, and are there any tips/tricks to improve it?

Thanks again,
Josh

Do you have two dies in the toolhead across from the dillon trimmer?
These two dies should be set down hard against the shellplate WITHOUT a case in the shellplate.
THEN adjust the trim die to proper headspace.
The two dies support the shellplate platform from flexing during sizing.
This will make the headspace length more consistent.

I would expect them all to be within about 0.003".

[JF99]

Do you have two dies in the toolhead across from the dillon trimmer?
These two dies should be set down hard against the shellplate WITHOUT a case in the shellplate.
THEN adjust the trim die to proper headspace.
The two dies support the shellplate platform from flexing during sizing.
This will make the headspace length more consistent.

I would expect them all to be within about 0.003".

Randall, thanks - I do have two dies in the toolhead across from the trimmer. But I hadn't tried setting them down against the shellplate before setting the headspace. I was trying to do that afterwards.

0.003" would be great. I'll give it a try.

[ar15barrels]

Randall, thanks - I do have two dies in the toolhead across from the trimmer. But I hadn't tried setting them down against the shellplate before setting the headspace. I was trying to do that afterwards.

0.003" would be great. I'll give it a try.

OK, no brass in the shellplate at all.
Run the ram all the way up.
Snug down the two support dies against the shellplate with all the force 2 fingers will muster.
Lock the dies there.
Then pull the ram back down, add a case and start adjusting the trim die for proper headspace followed by proper trim length.