38-55 o/s expander for Lee die ?

[boxhitch]

Have seen reference to using a larger expander stem in a Lee sizer die to open the brass up for larger dia bullets
OEM seems to be .375+- and if using larger .380 leads can damage some brass
Someone? said they found a larger .379 stem somewhere? Found one in the states but am resistant to spend $40 on shipping for a $10 part
Has anyone here seen one?

or if anyone else is interested? maybe a group buy

 

[boxhitch]

No, I don't want to 'just buy RCBS Cowboy' thanks

 

[stewbud]

I ordered a Lyman "M" die and have been very happy with it. It was delivered quickly from Lyman direct and was easy to get into action for big cast boolits.

.

 

[Snider shooter]

My Lyman M die was 0.375. I made an expander out of brass in 0.379. 0.375 was too small for my cast bullets. The Lyman cowboy set comes with a larger expander. Lee does have larger expanders but as you already know shipping is going to cost a bit. Lyman dies are starting to look like a better option.

 

[vagrantviking]

You may run into trouble using the Lee dies to seat 0.380" bullets also. The crimp ring inside the seating die I have is smaller than that and the bullets get hung up in the die rather than staying in the case.

The advice to get RCBS cowboy dies is good except for the near impossibility of finding them these days.

 

[m777]

I'm using the Lee expander with no issues. Loading NOE 379-284 in 375 H&H, so 379-.380 on the rear band.
I've just measured the expander and .380 isn't even 1/2 way.
I've loaded 6-700 over the winter and haven't noticed an issue.

 

[boxhitch]

You may run into trouble using the Lee dies to seat 0.380" bullets also. The crimp ring inside the seating die I have is smaller than that and the bullets get hung up in the die rather than staying in the case.

Good point, so checked mine and .381 drops right through

I've just measured the expander and .380 isn't even 1/2 way.

So all-the-way only sizes a very short section below the mouth flare

No issue here so far with Starline brass, its thin enough to just bulge without crumpling
Other folk have troubles, the reason TrackoftheWolf bothers to make a special stem. May be the brand of brass, or age/condition, or maybe tougher with gaschecks, idk

 

[boxhitch]

I made an expander out of brass

easier than steel , I like that, will probably carve one up for the Lee, I don't use the powder-through function so solid stem will work

 

[Snider shooter]

I made mine similar to the Lyman with the slight step at the top. The bottom I made a taper as I was expanding 30-30. Cases to 38-55. I have a bass one made up for 303 which I know has over 10000 reloads done with it so they last awhile. I drill and tap mine and use a piece of threaded rod that fits the Lyman M dies. I’ve also made up expanders and bullet seaters for the RCBS dies. I have a small lathe so it’s fairly easy. Stuff could be done on a drill press with a file but it’s slow. I’ve done it before I bought my lathe.