Description
KM Custom Grind Machined Expander Mandrels – for controlling case neck tension
- These are special ground expander mandrels to be used for obtaining more precise bullet seating tension. “BT” stands for bullet tension (But please read important notes below)
- These are custom undersize expanders to help reloaders control neck tension better. Particularly when you are not doing outside neck turning of brass which uniforms wall thickness.
- These custom expanders are available in 1/2 thousandths of an inch increments of BULLET TENSION being the size under (or less than) the calibre size.
- It is important to remember these are made and marked to take into account brass springback. So the size and the part numbers stamped on them refer to “bullet tension RESULT”. Not the actual measured size of the mandrels themselves!
- For example -0.0025″ of Bullet Tension (BT) on these KM expanders means to achieve a bullet grip on neck tension of 0.0025″ and after using that expander, the brass should normally spring back to leave the internal neck size of around 0.″. This is why they are marked and identified this way. This is an assumption by KM based on “normal” brass springback. This also means, if using a neck bushing style die you should use a smaller bush than the regular size recommendation.
- We at BRT do know that brass springback can vary too. So if you are aware of this too and want to know what the actual measured sizing of these expanders is, I have listed that a chart below for you. Therefore you can correlate this information to the actual part numbers listed.
- These expanders screw into the KM Press adapter (sold separately) for general reloading presses. For those long cartridges (eg 30-06 length) the addition of the KM Window Riser (sold separately) is also worthwhile.
It does NOT refer to the actual measured size of the steel expander itself. But I am listing the actual measured sizes which I have taken, so for those people who want to know this you can correlative a choice based on this knowledge. The “BT” listed doesn’t guarantee this is the result which you will get because springback of different types of brass varies, often significantly.
These tools are especially helpful for those reloaders who choose not to outside neck turn their brass to uniform wall thickness. If you are also using the reloading dies with the interchangeable neck size bushing those dies usually do not have an internal expander system at all. So you will probably need to use something like this to gain much more consistent bullet grip. (neck tension). Consistent bullet grip plays a critical role in consistent accuracy and velocity. If you are using with reloading die having the interchangeable neck bushings, a smaller size bush than regular will work best for you when combined with using these expanders. In other words resize slightly more so that these expanders can…expand the neck out just a little. How much more? Maybe a bush size down 2 numbers down. Resizing bushes are usually 0.002′-0.003″ under the measured neck with bullet seated. So for this operation i think you will find that should now be 0.004′-0.005″ under. A bit less for the calibres of 6mm and smaller.
- There are no Exchanges or Refunds on this item as manufacturer deems these non exchangeable.
