Neck Expander Ball: Too small?

[Gun Geezer]

Loading 348 Win. using RCBS 2-die set. First time for me to rifle or bottle neck brass loading.

I note that after full length resizing, the neck ID is too small to slide the bullet in by hand. It's beyond snug. So I measure the expander ball and find that it is 0.001" smaller than the bullet.

Clearly I will want to use the seater die to do it's job, I was just checking by hand.

I would have thought a 0.348" expander ball for a 0.348" bullet would be ideal. This seems odd. I bought these dies off Ebay and now wonder if this is why they were being sold.

Question: Is the expander ball SUPPOSED to be smaller than the bullet?

 

[rhinoh]

I reload about 8 pistol calibers and 3 rifle calibers- I've never seen a case where I could slide a bullet in by hand.
So my answer to "Is the expander ball SUPPOSED to be smaller than the bullet?" is YES.

 

[lightman]

Yes it is. It won't work otherwise.

 

[kwg020]

A smaller neck inside diameter is what makes the neck tension that holds the bullet in place. You will not be able to push the bullet in by hand. You will need to seat it with the press and seater die.
kwg

 

[Gun Geezer]

Consensus opinion.

Thanks. I'll holler back when I get perplexed again. Shouldn't take too long!