Question for reloaders - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

mmlreiner · 07-02-2022, 02:17 PM

So, I inevitably got a case stuck and in the process of getting it unstuck……I scratched the expander ball on accident. I was holding it with a pair of pliers so there’s a scratch where the pliers “bit”.

I used a pad to sort of sand it down so I can’t really feel any ridges anymore but I want to make sure this is still ok to use.

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Walker · 07-02-2022, 02:22 PM

Rcbs?? Expander balls are cheap.

Hotrodd · 07-02-2022, 02:38 PM

Have you check it with your calipers where you ”fixed it” to make sure you didn’t take too much off of it? I would say it’s good to go as long as the rough edges are gone and it measures out ok.

db@100 · 07-02-2022, 02:41 PM

I would replace it. You sanded some off, the question is how much and is it still round and concentric?

softpoint · 07-02-2022, 02:55 PM

If the scratch wasn't really deep, just polish it off with fine sandpaper and use it. I used to polish all the expander balls on new die sets with 600 paper and then compound so they would work easier. I have seen some that were so rough when they were new that they scraped lots of brass out of the necks, even when the necks were well lubed. The size isn't critical down to the last thousandth anyway, the neck conforms to the bullet as it is seated. The expander just helps insure that the neck is close on various thickness brass. If you use bushing type dies, or collet dies, you don't even need an expander.

Mike D · 07-02-2022, 03:52 PM

Replace it. I would do a carbide one.

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mmlreiner · 07-02-2022, 05:51 PM

I measured it with the calipers and zero difference. I also looked into it and apparently a bunch of people recommend polishing it from the get go so basically that’s what I did. Took the ridges out and ran it like normal.

Nothing notable under a magnifying glass on my brass so I loaded.

Then, I noticed there’s a second pin that came with the set lol.

Oh well. Now I know I have a backup I guess. I also learned a good technique for getting the brass unstuck.

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kck · 07-04-2022, 08:40 AM

Throw it in the trash and use mandrels. I don’t put expander balls on my dies but that’s just me.

6.5 shooter · 07-04-2022, 09:07 AM

I buff down my expander balls anyway. No need to over work the brass.

Mike D · 07-04-2022, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kck

Throw it in the trash and use mandrels. I don’t put expander balls on my dies but that’s just me.

Same here.

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muzzlebrake · 07-04-2022, 09:38 AM

Throw it away. You have already changed the size of it by sanding and it may even be out of round. They are cheap so get a couple more. You will not be done sticking cases. It happens.

JakeGraves · 07-04-2022, 10:16 AM

You did yourself a favor. Now throw the expander ball in the trash where it belongs and use an expander mandrel if needed.

07-02-2022, 02:17 PM	#1
mmlreiner Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Magnolia, TX Hunt In: Kerr County, Tx	Question for reloaders So, I inevitably got a case stuck and in the process of getting it unstuck……I scratched the expander ball on accident. I was holding it with a pair of pliers so there’s a scratch where the pliers “bit”. I used a pad to sort of sand it down so I can’t really feel any ridges anymore but I want to make sure this is still ok to use. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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07-02-2022, 02:22 PM	#2
Walker Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Antonio	Rcbs?? Expander balls are cheap.

07-02-2022, 02:38 PM	#3
Hotrodd Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Conroe Hunt In: Central Texas	Have you check it with your calipers where you ”fixed it” to make sure you didn’t take too much off of it? I would say it’s good to go as long as the rough edges are gone and it measures out ok.

07-02-2022, 02:41 PM	#4
db@100 Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2009	I would replace it. You sanded some off, the question is how much and is it still round and concentric?

07-02-2022, 02:55 PM	#5
softpoint Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Wixon Valley, Texas Hunt In: anywhere I'm allowed	If the scratch wasn't really deep, just polish it off with fine sandpaper and use it. I used to polish all the expander balls on new die sets with 600 paper and then compound so they would work easier. I have seen some that were so rough when they were new that they scraped lots of brass out of the necks, even when the necks were well lubed. The size isn't critical down to the last thousandth anyway, the neck conforms to the bullet as it is seated. The expander just helps insure that the neck is close on various thickness brass. If you use bushing type dies, or collet dies, you don't even need an expander.

07-02-2022, 03:52 PM	#6
Mike D Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: North Texas Hunt In: Haskell County, TX	Replace it. I would do a carbide one. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

07-02-2022, 05:51 PM	#7
mmlreiner Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Magnolia, TX Hunt In: Kerr County, Tx	I measured it with the calipers and zero difference. I also looked into it and apparently a bunch of people recommend polishing it from the get go so basically that’s what I did. Took the ridges out and ran it like normal. Nothing notable under a magnifying glass on my brass so I loaded. Then, I noticed there’s a second pin that came with the set lol. Oh well. Now I know I have a backup I guess. I also learned a good technique for getting the brass unstuck. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

07-04-2022, 08:40 AM	#8
kck Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: La Grange, TX Hunt In: Fayette, Colorado and Maverick County	Throw it in the trash and use mandrels. I don’t put expander balls on my dies but that’s just me.

07-04-2022, 09:07 AM	#9
6.5 shooter Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: San Antonio Hunt In: Montell, Hondo, Laredo	I buff down my expander balls anyway. No need to over work the brass.

07-04-2022, 09:38 AM	#11
muzzlebrake Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Euless, Texas Hunt In: Sterling County	Throw it away. You have already changed the size of it by sanding and it may even be out of round. They are cheap so get a couple more. You will not be done sticking cases. It happens.

07-04-2022, 10:16 AM	#12
JakeGraves Ten Point Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Hunt In: Bronte, TX	You did yourself a favor. Now throw the expander ball in the trash where it belongs and use an expander mandrel if needed.