Trimming brass

[kestak]

Greetings,

When I trim my brass with my "orange" lathe (Lyman), the pilot pin most of the time will not penetrate into the mouth of my 223 brass. It is too tight. I tried to lube it and it still is too tight.

I know using the pilot ensures the case is trimmed straight.

I use the Dillon decapping/sizing die. Is there something I do wrong?

I was tinking to remove just a little bit of material off the pilot pin...

Thank you

 

[Cajun CB]

The Lyman comes with a whole bunch of pilots. Are you using the right one?

 

[loadedround]

My question exactly. I use the same equipment(Dillon & Lyman) and have no problems with my 223 cases.

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

I think I am using the right one. To fit the 223 mouth, it is the smallest one.

Thank you

 

[Walkalong]

It won't hurt a thing to polish down the pilot a bit. Just realize that you may end up needing a new one for different cases, but maybe not. I have polished down a pilot or two over the years.

 

[SASS#23149]

Do you brush your case necks first? I find that this helps quite a bit.

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

I deburr and chamfer. Even if I brush, it will still not fit.

When decapping and resizing, maybe, do I need to screw down the decapping pin more so it expand the mouth? I don't think so...but maybe I do somethign wrong.

Thank you

 

[edelbrock]

You don't need to deburr and chamfer before trimming. Make sure you have the right pilot and if it is still too tight then polish it a little.

 

[Walkalong]

do I need to screw down the decapping pin more so it expand the mouth? I don't think so...

Your right, that won't help. The expander ball is plenty deep enough in the case if it decapps the brass.

Like edelbrock posted, you don't need to deburr and chamfer before you trim. You do that after you trim.

 

[Knucklehead2]

If the pilot fits when the case is not locked in the trimmer, then probably you are off center when you tighten the case. With the case loose run the pilot in the case and rotate the cutter backwards gently as you tighten the case. It will now be concentric.
You will not dull the cutter on brass turning it counterclockwise.
Machinist for 42 years, trust me, do not turn down the pilot if it fits the case when it is not in the lathe (trimmer).

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

I chamfer and deburr after trimming.

I thought about that for the pilot that it was because the case was not straight. It does not fit when the case in not in the lathe. I tried to lube the pilot with imperial wax and it did not slide too. It looks really a little to big to fit.

Thank you

 

[edelbrock]

Maybe you are using the .243 pilot. But if that is the case then it should not go in any of the .22 cal cases.

 

[rcmodel]

Might consider measuring it with your calipers.

It should measure about .220".

If it's much bigger then that, it is too big and will need turning down.

(Drill & emery paper)

rc

 

[moosehunt]

There are 2 likely possibilities here, and a good micrometer will most probably provide the answer. 1) Your pilot may be a bit oversize, certainly possible. 2) Your expander ball may be bit undersize, also certainly possible. Well, I reckon you could be snake bit and have a minor case of both of the above, but most likely one or the other.

 

[bobotech]

Lyman trimmer, are you pushing the brass ALL the way? LIke so that it can't move at all any more? If you are pushing the brass all the way into the collet as far as it will go, then you are doing it wrong.

The collet has 2 jaws and you can shove a case way too far past the 2 jaws and it will lock down but then the case will not be inline with the pilot at all. If you manage to shove the pilot into the case mouth, it will trim at an angle.

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

I solved the mystery!!!!!!!!

I measured the pilot : .2205

I measured the case mouth of many cases. : .214 to .215

I removed the decapping pin, called Dillon and there is no expanding ball!!!!:banghead:

Dillon is sending me an expanding ball right now.

Thank you

 

[bobotech]

LOL. Wow. That sure does explain it!

 

[Walkalong]

That is almost funny. PIA to wait in a new one though. At least you solved the mystery.

 

[lgbloader]

That is almost funny.

yeah it is.

LGB

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

I was laughing me too when I was one the phone with the Dillon guy. But Jee! I lost sooooo much time trying to figure that out.

I am not experienced with rifles reloading. With handguns, I did tens of thousands of rounds in many calibers, but rifles I have only 3 sets of dies...

Thank you