Quoted:
Quoted:
My cousin is setting up a tool head on his 650 to deprime, size/trim (1200 trimmer) and neck size with an M die.
He was setting up the M die and was getting a belling on the case mouth that would open to the point that the brass couldn't fit back into the case gauge. He stated that the instructions included were less than adequate and called me to see what I thought. As I don't have any experiece with that die, I was unable to provide any advice.
What is the best way to set up an M die?
I can do better than that. I'll share how I tuned my XL650 tool head. First die to install is Dillon trim die, then sizer/decap die, followed with Lyman M die.
I use an M die to lightly flare case mouth by 0.002 over sized case mouth diameter. Once this is done, brass won't case gage in an L.E. Wilson case gage because of flare, just makes sense that it won't.
Setting XL650 tool head for size, trim, M die in the sequence I set dies.
1.) Install Dillon trim die in station # 3. Run die down until brass will case gage using either Dillon or Wilson gage. I use Wilson and by the way, my gages are rust free. When set, secure lock nut. To keep trimmer from "torquing" trim die out secure trim die with another lock nut from under tool head. I use a Lee lock ring. Most use Hornady lock ring, which ever, one works as well as the other for me.
2.) Install RL1200 trimmer. I load a trimmed to my desired trim height bottlenecked brass. My preference for .223 is 1.750. Load trimmed brass in shellplate and extend ram. Then back locking nut off trimmer and run trimmer down until trim blade touches brass. Secure lock nut. Adjust as needed. I cheated a bit last time I set mine. I ran trimmer down until blade touched brass, lowered ram and loaded an untrimmed, but previously sized piece of brass, turned trimmer on while securing with one hand and extending ram with the other. This was an up, down, on and off flip of trimmer switch until trim height was dialed.
Then I secured lock nut. Better have a good grip on the trimmer is my advice.
3.) I have a Dillon carbide sizer in station one. After setting trim die and trimmer I extend ram with trimmed brass loaded in trim die. That done I run down sizer die until base firmly touches shellplate and secure lock nut.
4. With stations one and three loaded, ram extended I set M die to bell 0.002 over sized case mouth diameter.
Now you're set to load 2nd tool head with Lee Universal decapper. Suggest to your friend that he either case gages occasionally at station four or move M die to second tool head.
Not everyone will agree with this method. This is my method for my operation. We set the bar for standards within our operations. Anticipating an antagonistic response or three I'm going to say a few things. I don't worry with work hardening brass seeings I anneal every other firing. For those who don't anneal your first pass will be different than mine. Instead of questioning my method, explain your own method and reasoning but whatever you do don't poison this thread. You do and you might feel some teeth where a door might swing. Keep it upbeat and constructive, please.
dc.
No it doesn't make sense.....
The LE Wilson rifle case gauge is cut to accept a fired case without resistance(.254" neck ID), so a resized case with only .002" flair(~.248" at the flair) should fit back into the case gauge with no problems after being sized and flared, if it doesn't you're not doing something right.