Trouble with reloading 30-06 rounds - crushed shoulder and neck

[max384]

I am reloading 30-06 rounds for the first time (I reload other cartridges, just first time for this particular one) and I am having some trouble. I am using a lyman pro-mag II turret press and Lee carbide dies.

I bought new, unfired winchester brass. I full-length resized the cases, trimmed them to 2.484", primed, and charged the cases. I am using winchester 180 gr .308" diameter protected point bullets. I tried to seat the first bullet and it did not fit inside the neck of the case like other cartridges I am familiar with reloading. I used the press and tried seating the bullet and it and it crushed down part of the shoulder and visibly distorted the neck.

I doubled checked the diameter of the bullet with my vernier calipers and they are all either .307 or .308." The inside diameter of the cases at the neck were all 0.303."

Is there something special that is supposed to be done with the 30-06 round that is different from other rifle rounds like an expander die or anything? If anyone could help me out, that would be great. Also, I hope I posted this in the right section, as I did not see one dedicated to reloading.

I enclosed two pictures of the unsuccessfully reloaded round. Thanks.

[edstephan]

After you trimmed them did you use the de-burring tool on the mouth of the neck? Did you trim before resizing?
Use the tool on the inside and outside and get a taper on the mouth


An OC Activist and 1 of the 3%
Ed Stephan

[tl_3237]

I'm not familiar with the Lee rifle dies. Do they use a collet system to neck size or an expander plug?

If an expander plug, remove it from the die and check its diameter.

[max384]

Yeah, I did use the de-burring tool both inside and outside and put a taper on it. And I trimmed after resizing.

The lee dies (at least the ones I have anyhow) use a collet.

[Gunny1969]

Check the size of the collet to make sure it's the right one. Next adjust the collet according to Lee's instructions. If it isn't adjusted correctly, the die will try to resize the case both internally and externally at the same time. The collet re-expands the neck on the down stroke after the die sizes the neck on the up stroke. Lube the inside of the neck before resizing. I'm sure you know you need to lube the outside of the case when FL rifle resizing even when using a carbide die. The resizing "feel" should be pretty light and smooth, if you are feeling to much resistance somethings wrong.

Lee's website for instructions and video's:

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/index.html

[tl_3237]

Some confusion over vernacular.

Most full length sizing dies will undersize the neck on the upstroke and the narrowed neck passes through an expander (aka mandrel) of the desired final diameter on the downstroke. These operations are usually performed simultaneously with the decapping and body sizing function especially with a two-die set.

The collet, if used, is for compression only - it does not expand nor does it touch the interior of the case.

If you remove your the 'decapping' device you'll see that it is also the expander (mandrel). Check its largest diameter - if too small than its the problem.

Easy X Expander All Lee full length rifle dies now feature the new Easy X expander. This new expander differs in appearance from the original in that it is tapered.

The new expander pulls almost effortlessly though the neck and is designed use the maximum mechanical advantage of the bottom of the press stroke. Like the original, if the expander hits an obstruction, it pushes harmlessly through the decapping clamp which holds it in place. The shank is so strong that you can actually remove stuck cases by loosening the decapping clamp and using a drift punch of the same diameter to knock the case out of the die. The new design also aids in reforming dented or squashed case necks.

The Easy X Expander has been produced for some time and many dies already have them. If you would like to ensure you have one, check your recently purchased full length die set. If the Expander is not tapered, we can send the correct one. The Easy X Expanders are $3.00 each, plus shipping & handling.

Collet dies do not and never have used an expander.

[Kramer]

He might have to readjust the die, he might not have the "crimp" feature set correctly.

[lexnaturalis]

Originally Posted by Kramer

He might have to readjust the die, he might not have the "crimp" feature set correctly.

That's the problem I had with the 7.62x39 rounds I reloaded. The first few times I didn't have it set right and I ended up with a crushed neck. They looked almost exactly like the pictures the OP showed.

[Pete D.]

Collet dies do not and never have used an expander.

Yes. Glad someone said that.

I am unclear about which Lee die set is being used.

Lee carbide dies.

Did you really mean "carbide" dies? To my knowledge, Lee does not make a carbide sizing die for .30-06 cases (though their Deluxe set claims that no lube is needed. Is carbide used there?).
Lee makes steel full-length dies and they make their collet dies which size the neck only. (The Deluxe dies do both operations). As noted, the collet dies do not have an expander - at least mine don't. The collet presses the neck against a mandrel on the upstroke and the sizing is done, once released the mandrel slides out. Improperly adjusted, the die will squash necks and shoulders.
Pete

[dardascastbullets]

Typically, there should be approximately 0.002" for proper neck tension. Without knowing all the details of your setup, I will say that your problem lies in the neck expansion process (or absence thereof). Please do reread your die's instructions for the proper setup. Dies do look simple. However, they require proper setup in order to function properly. I am certain that you will realize great results once you have reviewed the instructions.