Neck tension problems with .223

[palooka]

I recently started reloading .223 for a RRA Varmint Model (Wylde chamber) . The once fired Federal Brass all lack enough tension to hold the projectile after being Full length sized in new RCBS dies. Are the dies out of spec ( expander ball measures .224 but I don't have the most accurate Micrometer)?
Do I have an undersized batch of bullets (measure .224)?
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[918v]

The expander ball should measure .222"

 

[rsrocket1]

Make sure your dies are going all the way down to touch the shellplate (can't slide a piece of paper to reach the case).

.224 is the right size for the bullets.

If the neck is properly sized, you should not be able to push the bullet in with your fingers.

The expander ball may be OK at .224 because the brass is usually undersized with a die, then stretched back out by the expander ball, but there is enough spring in the brass to close up enough to provide the proper neck tension.

 

[918v]

Ugh, no.

Expander balls are not supposed to be at bullet diameter.

 

[joneb]

As 918v stated the expander ball should measure .222".

I would remove the expander/deprimer assembly and size a fired case. If that doesn't tell you anything I would send this to RCBS;
A fired shell casing.
A sized and de-primed case.
A sized case with the expander removed from the die.
A bullet.

If the bullet diameter is correct and dies are within spec. I would guess the wall thickness at the case neck is to thin.

RCBS has A+ customer service. Call them

 

[amlevin]

Take the expander out of the die, size a case, and see if it's still too large. If so the die is faulty. If not then you may want to just chuck the expander in a drill and "turn it down" with some extra extra fine wet/dry sandpaper until you get the desired neck tension.

It may be that your cases are not springing back as much as expected.

Max undersize of finished case mouth should be no more than .002 less than bullet diameter.