TiN coating: The golden middle ground
The Sinclair TiN Expander Mandrels form the ideal compromise for reloaders who want more than standard stainless steel but don't want to immediately invest in carbide mandrels. The titanium nitride coating offers several advantages:
The coating significantly increases surface hardness, making the mandrel more resistant to wear. When processing large quantities of cases, you'll notice this difference: the TiN version maintains its dimensions longer than an uncoated mandrel.
Titanium nitride naturally has better lubrication properties than stainless steel. This means smoother operation and less chance of galling, the adhesion of brass particles to the mandrel. While you still need lubrication, the process runs noticeably smoother.
The characteristic gold-coloured finish makes TiN mandrels instantly recognisable in your tool kit. Useful when you use multiple mandrels of different materials.
Applications in the reloading process
Like the standard Sinclair expander mandrels, the TiN versions are designed for multiple purposes:
For neck turning, the expander mandrel forms the first step. By expanding the case neck to .001" under bullet diameter, it fits perfectly on the turning mandrel (.002" under bullet diameter). This prevents galling during the turning process and ensures more uniform wall thickness.
When setting neck tension, the mandrel provides a consistent method. After resizing with a bushing die, you can uniformly expand the neck. This provides predictable bullet pull for every case, essential for precision shooters striving for low ES/SD values.
With new brass, the mandrel removes dents and irregularities that may occur during shipping. The TiN coating makes this process smoother, especially when processing larger batches.
Compatibility and usage
The Sinclair TiN expander mandrels fit the Sinclair Generation II Expander Die Body and all Sinclair neck turning tools including the NT-1000, NT-3000 and Premium models. They are also compatible with expander dies from PMA Tool and 21st Century.
For use, apply a thin layer of lubricant to the mandrel. Imperial Sizing Wax, Hornady One Shot or Imperial Dry Lube all work well. Despite the improved lubrication properties of the TiN coating, lubrication remains necessary for optimal results.
Available in calibres from .17 to .338. Choose the mandrel that is .001" smaller than your bullet diameter. For 6.5mm (.264") bullets, you would use the .263" mandrel.
Specifications
- Type: Expander Mandrel with TiN coating
- Material: Stainless steel with titanium nitride (TiN) coating
- Colour: Gold (characteristic of TiN)
- Diameter: .001" (0.025 mm) under bullet diameter
- Available calibres: .17, .20, .22, 6mm, .25, 6.5mm, .270, 7mm, .30, 8mm, .338
- Compatibility: Sinclair Gen II Expander Die, NT-1000, NT-3000, PMA Tool, 21st Century
- Application: Neck expanding, neck turning preparation, neck tension setting
- Manufacture: Made in USA
