expanding

[Kerplow]

I'm processing all my 45acp brass and moving on to the expansion step. how deep do i need or want to expand the case mouth? does my projectile choice effect this at all?

[bruce381]

exspand enough for the bullet you use to enter the case without shaving the sides off. I use just enough that the bullet can just start and balances on the case

[jwest]

Expanding can reduce the life of the brass - so you don't want to overdo it. Check your load with a case gauge.

[BigBronco]

Do you mean belling or flaring the case opening? That is different from expanding. If belling / flaring keep it to a minimum. Expanding is a whole other animal. you can expand the entire length of the seated portion of the bullet. Expanding as I understand it ( with a powder through expander die) is sizing the inside diameter of the case to give correct press fit. Since various makers of brass may have different case wall thickness sizing from the out side will have inconsistent inside measurements.

[Beelzy]

Only enough flare on the case to barely detect with your finger. This step is so the bullet
starts into the case straight.

[gau17]

What Bruce said.

[bumpo628]

I'm processing all my 45acp brass and moving on to the expansion step. how deep do i need or want to expand the case mouth? does my projectile choice effect this at all?

As to the last part of your question, FMJs do not require as much belling of the case mouth as cast lead projectiles.

[xrMike]

Just enough to get your bullet to sit straight on the case neck, and no more.