How to test for proper neck tension

[AKMac]

I loaded some 30-06 rounds for the first time today. With .223 I would always put the bullet tip into a soft spot, and press against the back of the case to see if I could get any bullet set back. I could apply all my might (by hand) and never had any setback with .223.

When I did this with my 30-06 rounds, I was able to move the bullet with what I would call fair amount of force. When just a "moderate" amount of force was applied, I couldn't get any movement.

So should I be able to move the bullet at all by hand?

 

[243winxb]

So should I be able to move the bullet at all by hand?

Really depends on how strong you are. 223's have a bullet pull weight of 35 to 45 lbs. Check your expander diameter on the 30-06 die, it should be about .002" smaller than bullet diameter. Measure a sized cases neck diameter after its expanded. Next, seat a bullet, has the neck diameter expanded by .002" or more? If it has, you have OK neck tension.

 

[USSR]

Depends upon the platform you are using the ammo in. For my Garands, I like .003" to .004" neck tension. My boltguns get 001" to .002". I use bushings, so I can set my neck tension accordingly.

Don

 

[AKMac]

My expander ball measures .307" and my bullets come in at .308"

243winxb's - I tried your method on a dummy round and came up with .001"-.002" in neck diameter growth.

I have no doubt that these would be ok in a bolt gun, and probably would be ok in a box magazine. What does concern me a little is if I were to run them through a garand.

USSR - Who sells these bushings and how does one use them?

 

[243winxb]

My expander ball measures .307"

Turn the expander ball down to .306" Brass spring back is different between bushing and expander buttton, i guess??? Bushings make the brass spring out,the expander brass springs in. Its been said brass wants to return to its original place. But before you do anything, check to see if your full length sizing dies is doing its job. Remover the expander and size a case, is the neck diameter smaller compared to a case used with the expander? Or are you using a Lee collet die? Redding Type-S Full Length Sizing Bushing die is what i use for 243 Win. Click pic for larger.

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[ironhead7544]

Over the years I have found certain brass pieces that would not hold the bullet tightly. This could be any indivivual piece. Thats why I use a bullet with a crimp groove for any serious purpose. If you look at Elmer Keith's cast bullet designs you will see a good tapered crimp groove. With that type of crimp even a loose bullet will not fall out. I check all my hunting loads for a loose bullet using your method. Also run all the hunting loads through the action (in a safe area) to make sure there are no problems. You can get a bullet thats not seated correctly or is defective in some way. I have had bullets stick in the throat when unloaded from the chamber. Could ruin your day. Just my .02.

 

[rcmodel]

My expander ball measures .307"

That right there is your problem!

As 243winxb said, you need to turn down the expander .001" - .002".

To do so, chuck it up in a drill and use some emery paper wrapped around a file or other flat hard surface to worry it down to .306" or slightly less.

With proper neck tension, there should be no way you can push the bullet deeper with your bare hands.

rc

 

[10 Spot Terminator]

You can always use a Lee factory crimp die to add tension if they are not too loose. An improperly adjusted neck sizing die can tend to be the cause of reduced neck tension in some cases and can be corrected as well .

 

[rcmodel]

A crimp, even a Lee FCD crimp, is no cure for improper neck tension.
If it's too loose, it's too loose.

Need to fix the problem, not put a bandaid on it.

rc

 

[243winxb]

A crimp, even a Lee FCD crimp, is no cure for improper neck tension.
If it's too loose, it's too loose.

Need to fix the problem, not put a bandaid on it.

RC is 100% correct , ironhead take note.

 

[AKMac]

Well you guys were, once again, correct!

I took out my expander ball, chucked it in a drill and touched it against some fine emery cloth rolled against a file. The results are about .003"-.004" of neck tension. I put all my 250lbs on the bullet and was unable to move it (though I did deform the tip!)

One side effect that I have noticed. I was using a 165gr hornady boat tail for my dummy round. I noticed a small hump where the boat tail begins in the case neck. This only measures out to be about .002" (at most maybe .003"), but I can see it in the reflection of the brass.

I tried to capture it with my camera to show what I'm talking about. Is this anything to be concerned about?

Ignore the seating depth of the bullet and the scratches on the bullet from not chamfering. This was just a quick dummy round I through together.

 

[USSR]

USSR - Who sells these bushings and how does one use them?

Redding sells bushings, but you need to have one of their dies that is designed to use them. To select the bushing, measure one of your loaded rounds at the neck using the brass you will be using. Subtract the amount of neck tension you want from your neck measurement, and use that size bushing. Note: if the neck measurement of a fired case is more than .005" greater than the measurement you want to resize to, you will likely get a neck dimension .001" smaller than the bushing size. Take that into consideration, or use an intermediate size bushing prior to using the final size bushing.

Don

 

[243winxb]

You have plenty of neck tension now, should be ok. Proof is in the shooting on target. When you try to seat a flat base bullet, you may have to chamfer the case mouth more,or maybe not. The boatail does act as its own expander on bullet seating.