Armory Sponsor
Posted: 4/30/2012 4:55:58 AM EDT
| I am looking at getting an rt1200 trimmer for my RL550 press. I am unsure how the case prep process will now work. I understand that the trimmer will also resize, but what do I do about removing spent primer, and nexk expanding? This will be for .223 and .308 reloading. |
|
I use a RT1200 for most of my trimming. I follow up the trimming with a pass through a full length sizing die set short of bottoming so it doesn't do any additional sizing but it removes the primer, resizes the neck and tends to iron out the minimal burr left by the carbide trimming cutter.
For my precision loads, I still use a conventional chamfer and deburring tool. but for bulk ammo, I don't bother, especially with boat tail bullets. |
|
i use an lnl ap but here is how i do my prep.
universal decapper and deprime all brass for wet tumbling prep set up 1 blank or universal decapper 2 rt1200 trimmer 3 blank 4 redding full length sizer with decaping pin removed and set to just touch the shoulder 5 blank i think the trim die on the rt1200 gives too much neck tension so i use the redding to expand the neck so i have consistent neck tension. |
|
The "normal" set up is to buy another tool head and mount a decapper, trimmer, expander if you want on it. Then delube and do any other brass prep needed. Once case prep is over, put in your tool head with the reloading dies and load your prepped brass. So it's a 2 stage process with bottle neck cases. |
|
So I can set my sizing die to Just expand the neck by taking off the decapping pin and setting it lower than the sizing part of the die itself? How would you go about making sure your not resizing after trim?
I had planned on ahveing two toolheads, one for case prep, and one for reloading. ETA: I am using an RCBS die. |
|
Quoted: So I can set my sizing die to Just expand the neck by taking off the decapping pin and setting it lower than the sizing part of the die itself? How would you go about making sure your not resizing after trim? I had planned on ahveing two toolheads, one for case prep, and one for reloading. ETA: I am using an RCBS die. The method I use (on a LNL AP) is to have a RCBS Lube/Decapping die on station 1, RT 1200 on station 3. First pass decaps, and resizes the case; tumble for 10 minutes or so afterwards to get rid of the lube. Then I have a Lyman M Die on station 1 during my next pass w/ all the other dies needed for loading a cartridge. The Lyman M die deburs and sets neck tension correctly (without the need for lube!). This process yields VERY accurate rounds IMO and is the fastest. Maybe not F class or Palma level accuracy, but definitely High Power level accuracy (94-5X RP, and 193-4X SP this weekend  ) |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
So I can set my sizing die to Just expand the neck by taking off the decapping pin and setting it lower than the sizing part of the die itself? How would you go about making sure your not resizing after trim? I had planned on ahveing two toolheads, one for case prep, and one for reloading. ETA: I am using an RCBS die. The method I use (on a LNL AP) is to have a RCBS Lube/Decapping die on station 1, RT 1200 on station 3. First pass decaps, and resizes the case; tumble for 10 minutes or so afterwards to get rid of the lube. Then I have a Lyman M Die on station 1 during my next pass w/ all the other dies needed for loading a cartridge. The Lyman M die deburs and sets neck tension correctly (without the need for lube!). This process yields VERY accurate rounds IMO and is the fastest. Maybe not F class or Palma level accuracy, but definitely High Power level accuracy (94-5X RP, and 193-4X SP this weekend )I saw those 'M' dies over at Midwayusa. That would take care of my question, thanks! |
|
Quoted:
So I can set my sizing die to Just expand the neck by taking off the decapping pin and setting it lower than the sizing part of the die itself? How would you go about making sure your not resizing after trim? I had planned on ahveing two toolheads, one for case prep, and one for reloading. ETA: I am using an RCBS die. I use a full length die with the decapping stem and pin in it after the case has been sized and trimmed in the Dillon die. Neck sizing and less than full length sizing can be done with a FL sizing die by not threading the die in all the way. Full length sizing doesn't actually take place until the die is nearly 100% bottomed out. |
|
Your RCBS size die will work just fine. There are a couple of ways you can do it. 1 You can buy a universal decapping die (this is what I have) and put it in station 1 of your case prep toolhead . Case trimmer goes in station 2 or 3. Remove the decapping pin from your RCBS size die, and adjust it up (out) about a turn, so that it sizes only the neck, not the shoulder or body, and put it in station 4. 2. Put only the trimmer in the prep toolhead. Primers stay intact until the loading phase. Again, adjust your RCBS size die up (out) about a turn, so that it sizes only the neck, not the shoulder or body, and put it in station 1 with the decapping pin intact. |
|
Quoted: While the RT1200 is the topic, I have been thinking of picking one up in the near future, but I neck size only for my precision loads. Does Dillon or anyone make a trim die that would allow me to just size the neck? .223 and .308 in particular? I'd contact Dave at CH4D HERE. |
|
I experimented with several different .223 sizing/trimming/loading arrangements, and then crunched the numbers with statistical software. The only "capable" process (Cpk>1) was as follows:
For rifle ammo, I load in two passes: A1) Deprime (RCBS Neck Sizer die) A2) Empty A3) Full length resize and trim (Dillon RapidTrim 1200 trimmer/size die) A4) Empty A5) Flare (Lee Universal Expander die) ... then I tumble the brass to remove the lube and flash from the trim operation, swage the primer pockets if necessary, then: B1) Deprime to remove any polishing media from the flash hole (Lee universal depriming die) B2) Prime and dispense powder (Dillon powder die) B3) Powder Check (optional) B4) Seat bullet (RCBS seating die) B5) Crimp (Lee Factory Crimp die) - almost nothing I found that sizing AFTER trimming was actually less consistent. |
Armory Sponsor