necks splitting please help

[robertras]

Hey guys
I just started reloading 25-06 and every single piece of brass i tried around 15 has split at the neck. this is all once fired brass that is about 6 months old. Also i am using rcbs group a dies.

[ExtremeX]

I don’t know much about that cartridge… but you may need to consider annealing the necks before sizing.

[robertras]

what temp/time do you guys normally anneal for?

[tamalpias]

My friend reloads a 25/06 and he gets about 3-4 reloads before the brass splits. His experience is to stay away from Winchester brass because they are a bit thinner than Remington brass. Also if you are max loading these rounds they will greatly wear down your brass. If you have a micrometer measure to make sure the brass wall thickness is uniform, if not it is possible you have defective brass.

[ExtremeX]

I don’t anneal any of my brass at this point in time... the cartridges I load for have easy to source brass so it’s not really worth doing. I just recycle it at the end of its service life.

Depending on the type of rifle you are loading for, like a bolt action, you could also try a different neck sizing die that works the brass less… like the Lee collet neck die.

The RCBS uses an expander ball to expand the neck after it has been undersized which works the brass more than a collet die or bushing die with a bushing selected for minimal sizing and correct neck tension.

[thospb]

There are some excellent videos on YouTube about annealing brass. Several different methods ranging from complicated machines to just spinning the brass in front of a torch. Very informative, watch several and draw your own conclusions.

[robertras]

I have looked into annealing a bit more, and it seams like it is normally not necessary for once fired brass. Im thinking that the expander ball may be the wrong size, does anyone have a 25-06 die and a micrometer that they could measure the ball with?

[gunboat]

As a reloader you should have at least a vernier caliper --
a $10 one from harbor freight will do -
your expander button should be about .255 dia.

Is your brass reformed 06? if so it may be a bit work hardened - that would require annealing --
Annealing is not something a novice should do -

[Germz]

or you can go HAM and buy one of these.

[robertras]

I actually have access to calipers, micrometers, depth micrometers, and even gauge pins. The Problem appears to have been the brass. prvi partizan brass all split, however Remington all worked just fine. I actually have a lot of experience with annealing (not with brass but with other materials) and i may go ahead and make an annealing machine like the one in that video to prolong my brass life.

Also the expander is little under .256 according to a mititoyo micrometer.

[robertras]

I would like to thank you all for your advice and help.

[zoid52]

Annealing does help; I was reloading 22/250 & getting splits after 1 firing; I annealed & got 15 reloads after the initial firing