.300 Savage Neck Tension

[skidooman603]

Hi Gents
I've been reloading 25+ Years and have myself stumped..Just started loading .300 SAV..No matter how I set my Sizing die or Seating die..or what bullet design I try, I'm not getting enough neck tension..I know getting a crimp die would solve this but I don't crimp any of my other bottle neck cartridges and have no issues..Any clues?
Thanks

 

[stringnut]

Loaded one for years for my dad and never had an issue. Several questions come to mind. How do you know you don't have enough neck tension? What bullet, dies, and brass are you using? Have you checked the expander to make sure it is the correct diameter and has no burrs that would overexpand the neck? Boat tails tended not to work very well as the bearing surface is often short due to taper on both ends. I could push the bullets if pushing hard enough. However, we didn't have any issues with bullet creep while in the magazine when hunting or shooting. As mentioned you can crimp if needed. There are bullets with cannalures that your seating die should work with.

 

[wild willy]

I'd take the decapping pin out of the sizing die and size a case to make sure the die is sizing the neck down.I had a 244/6mm die than didn't touch the neck at all.If its sizing the neck down enough then you will have to reduce the dia.of the expander.

 

[skidooman603]

I am able to move the bullet into the case with a light push against the bench..tried another half turn in on the resizing dies with little or no improvement..generally the system of turning the sizing die in to touch the shell holder then backing out a quarter turn works well for me..

 

[243winxb]

generally the system of turning the sizing die in to touch the shell holder then backing out a quarter turn works well for me..

FL die should contact the shell holder to size the neck correctly. There is a slight taper to the neck. Depending on the die, some more than others.

 

[Walkalong]

I'm not getting enough neck tension..I know getting a crimp die would solve this

Not really.

Try sizing without the expander and see if neck tension is good. If it is, polish it down until you have good neck tension using it. If it doesn't give good neck tension without using the expandert, replace the sizer.

 

[FROGO207]

My RCBS 300 SAV dies are on the tight side and I have had no problems with neck tension. I also think running the brass through the die without the expander to see if it is sizing the brass down enough is the first step. Then see if the expander ball is opening the neck too much. Polishing the sizer ball down some will help if it is expanding too much. Also the brass neck tension could be less with brass that has work hardened necks after several firings. Yes the necks are shorter than with the 308 and neck tension will be slightly less due to a shorter length surface area. I have a Model 99 and a bolt action, neither one has shown any signs of the bullet moving under recoil or loading so I have never actually delved into the neck tension amounts much.

I see Walkalong is a bit faster than I am.

 

[Blue68f100]

I'm assuming your not using a neck sizing die.

Measure the bullets and make sure they are the right size. You may have some bullets out of spec. Then measure you neck ID to see what the difference is. This is best done with inside mics or the use of pin sets. You should have 0.001"-0.002" difference. If your using a lube on the inside of the necks, cleaning this off would help increase the friction. Like mentioned above you can turn down the expander if needed to get proper fit. But if the body of the dies is not taking the necks down far enough, you have a bad die.

 

[sugarmaker]

Thin brass on the neck? Bad sizer?

 

[JackSprat]

You may have got your brass too hot if you anneal..

 

[skidooman603]

Thanks for all of the good tips..I will try all of the advice above..

 

[rcmodel]

Lee dies by any chance??

Thier expand dies are universally too big & rough as a file, on every set I have.

Your .308" expander stem should measure no more then .306", and polished smooth as a baby's bottom.

If it isn't, make it so.

rc

 

[skidooman603]

RC..You hit the nail on the head my friend! Thanks Guys..Should have thought of that myself!

 

[Walkalong]

What did the expander measure?

 

[skidooman603]

.307-.308