L.E. Wilson Neck Tension Sizing Mandrel Die Review! 07Feb2022

First video using my Apple iPhone 13Pro. Didn't notice one of the clips was oriented wrong! L.E. Wilson has once again proven extreme machining tolerances and near perfect finishing! Everything I have purchased from them has been a work of art! I have no affiliation with them other than paying full retail for their products.

[@stevefisher2121]

Excellent review and I couldn't agree more - L.E. Wilson makes top-notch reloading tools.

[@peteregger7928]

Thanks and thanks for watching!

[@cujo7240]

I bought the LE Wilson Mandrel neck sizer myself, but I had to abandon using it for setting neck tension for my 30 and .223 cal cases due to the lack of choices of the sizing mandrels available for neck sizing. For example Wilson simply sells a 30 Cal and a .223 cal mandrel, which I bought and attempted to use for my 30 cal and .223 cases. I found these mandrels oversized the case necks leaving the necks too loose to retain the bullets and in some cases I could easily insert and remove the bullet after neck sizing with Wilson mandrel. When I full length sized and neck sized the same cases with my Forster die the neck tension was fine. When I full length sized with the same die, but w/o the neck sizer ball installed and then used the Wilson sizer mandrel setup my neck tension was too loose. The sizer ball on my 0.308 Full Length Forster die measures 0.306" the Wilson 30 Cal mandrel measures 0.307". I had also expected to use this same Wilson mandrel for my 30-30 cases, which definitely need good neck tension , since they get loaded into tube fed magazines. The full length 30-30 sizer neck sizing ball measures 0.304", so using the Wilson 0.307" mandrel definitely was not the way to go! I had similar problems with the 0.223 mandrel from Wilson. The LE Wilson mandrel die is only good for straightening bent case necks before full length sizing with the included neck expanding ball or case trimming, not for setting final case neck tension. I still like the idea of mandrel neck sizing though, so I bought the 21 Century neck sizing die system that aloes you to pick the exact size mandrel necessary for the case your reloading. I really like LE Wilson's other products like the case gauges and headspace micrometer, but the mandrel die setup is no good for neck sizing with the mandrels they currently have available.

[@peteregger7928]

Wow! Great detailed comment! I have only used mine on cleaned and full length sized range brass 223/556 although I did buy the 30 cal mandrel with it. I think I have at least eight different head stamps. So far it has done a great job expanding the 223 to about .2215 to .222 which has been about .002" neck tension which is what I was looking for. I've been using Hornady, Winchester and Bob's bullet's 55-62 grain FMJBT's and have not had any issues so far. 21st Century does give you many more sizes to choose from and may be a better option for varying bullet diameters if your looking for a specific neck tension other than .002". So far though I've had no issues at .002" when full length sizing first. Never had anything I felt was loose. Don't know if you follow "Johnny's Reloading Bench" but he did a neck tension video a few years ago. All the way from none at all to about .010". He found no real benefit in accuracy. I mainly look for some neck tension and also very lightly crimp because I'm loading for semi-automatic AR platforms for similar reasons as you were saying for lever action. Maybe L.E. Wilson will start offering different mandrel sizes in the future? Thanks again for the great comment and watching!

[@TomColontonio]

I also am having this for 30cal. Redding dies , full length and you can pull the bullett out. Just realized this today and it may explain my poor rounds I made last week. I was looking at everything possible till I realize the necks were way too loose! I have read this is for new brass onky too. Not sure about that .

[@peteregger7928]

@@TomColontonio I called them about that and they said it's just fine for fired brass too! When I got the die the instructions also stated this so you shouldn't have any issues. Thanks for watching!

[@TomColontonio]

@@peteregger7928 maybe mine is defective then because the neck tension is too loose. My Sinclair and KM do a great job.

[@peteregger7928]

@@TomColontonio I was looking for .002-003" after full length sizing with either a Dillon or RCBS die. The brass was chamfered and de-burred prior to using the Wilson mandrel. All of my various head stamped brass ended up within this range. I would give Wilson a call. Maybe you just got one out of spec?

[@dougmccune9307]

Good video. Thanks

[@peteregger7928]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@yojimbo05]

Great video

[@peteregger7928]

Thanks! Much appreciated!

[@yojimbo05]

@@peteregger7928 have you had any issue by chance with the L.E. Wilaon Madanrel Die Set.

[@hybridmusclegarage4590]

Great info Pete!!

[@peteregger7928]

Thanks Hybrid! You haven't posted many videos lately? Everything good?

[@bertcremers3134]

Thank you, verry convincing video

[@peteregger7928]

It worked out well for the sizing I was after! Very well machined! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@fencingcoach3w]

Hello Peter et al, Should the mandrel be cleaned before use? The first time I used my 308 mandrel, the bullet (167gr Lapua) was so loose it fell into a sized case. BUT, on the second and subsequent uses, all was perfect! Did the first time remove a preservative oil film? Thank you for the video, it was the deciding factor in my choosing the L.E. Wilson mandrel die. I agree, it's a thing of beauty and am now very happy with the output, albeit I had doubts after the first use!

[@peteregger7928]

Can't say as to why that happened? Maybe the bullet was the issue? The case neck wasn't clean or maybe just a defective case neck because of metallurgy or heat treat? I was wiping mine down between every 10 and 20 rounds depending on how much residual case lube there was. Glad the Wilson worked out for you and thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Chevy2U]

What were the results....did it measure .002? I'm leaning towards L.E. Wilson too, but I gather this tool is not meant for regular reloading usage, meant for new brass only.

[@peteregger7928]

They do advertise it for new brass but it also states in the instructions "However the uses for this die are not limited to this specific operation." I also called to verify that the die was adequate for reloading fired brass and the girl I spoke with stated that so long as the brass was properly cleaned and sized the desired spring back and neck sizing of .002" to .003" should be achieved. We also discussed expected results on fired brass would at some point probably require annealing for proper spring back. The mandrel seems to be very good quality stainless so I'm thinking it should last a while either way. I will also be using a Ballistic Tools neck gauge to determine neck size and spring back to .002" under .224". Haven't used it yet but will do a video showing the results on fired brass. Short version... you can use it with confidence on fired brass so long as it's properly cleaned. L. E. Wilson Ph# 509-782-1328. Thanks for commenting and watching!

[@Chevy2U]

@@peteregger7928 Thanks, I just took the plunge with Midway ordering. The cost isn't high and if the neck tension is consistent I can replace the mandrels as needed.

[@peteregger7928]

@@Chevy2U Should of thought of your question when I did the video. Don't think you will be disappointed when it shows up. Thanks again!

[@Chevy2U]

@@peteregger7928 The L.E. Wilson came in today...6.5, 308, and 7mm. After inspection, the body is Stainless Steel but the cap and mandrels are of some type of alloy. I tested 5 pieces of new Starline .308 brass and the results have me of the fence. Neck round-out measured .0005 - .0015 untouched, afterwards .0015 - .004......didn't expect that. Bullet seating was effortless to the point you could almost do it by hand. Hope to have some numbers on FPS & SD soon.

[@peteregger7928]

@@Chevy2U Thank you for the update! I just had eye surgery yesterday so it might be awhile before I figure out the results using mine in 223/556. I wonder if sizing first would make a difference? Sounds like the Starline brass was pretty good to start with? When you say round out do you mean concentricity or neck tension? I was planning a light crimp in addition to neck tension because I'll be running semi-automatic vs bolt action. Thanks again!

[@chrischiampo7647]

Hi Pete 😀

[@peteregger7928]

Ha! Ha!

[@alannaofrann6767]

Ok, Pete...I, from time to time, see evidence of a bit of OCD! A Dillon power trimmer...!! You gotta be kidding me! Oh...uh, hmph! I'd better shut up...I have a Dillon Power Trimmer myself!! Yep, had a Forester hand trimmer the same overall design as your trimmer! It's a small world! Oh yeah, is that mic traceable to The National Institute of Standards Technologies?

[@peteregger7928]

OCD! Oh yes! I started out as a jet engine mechanic in the Navy. Got out for about 3 years and worked oil field construction. Went back into the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician specializing in Precision Measurement Equipment for the last 16 years. After I retired from the Navy my first job was with EIL Calibration which became TRANSCAT and then to Solar Turbines owned by Caterpillar and which has nothing to do with sunshine. Solar Turbines at the time made up to 30,000 shaft horsepower industrial gas turbines. Worked the cal lab there and maintained 16 different test cells for 3 years. Moved to Vegas for wife 1.0's job promotion and worked for National Calibration for awhile then Scenic Airlines for a year and then 15 years at Clark County Water Reclamation District as the Senior Control Systems Technician. Prior to my Naval training it was measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a piece of chalk and cut it with a chain saw! I always said I wasn't going down the precision reloading rabbit hole and would just stick with SAAMI dimensions but I seem to keep moving towards the precision side of things. Looking forward to trying out my Dillon power trimmer! Really got tired of hand cranking in a hurry! Seems great minds think a like! The Navy really did a number on me as nothing is close enough anymore! They actually had me believing that a straight line can exist! Lol!