Expander dies

[OctaRon1]

I reload a lot now .308 etc. but I am going to start reloading for 35-55 and 45-70.
I sized about 20 and the cases seem tight to get the bullet in when loading. Should an expander die be used after sizing .
Thanks Ron

 

[lister]

You can use an expander, like the powder-through-expansion die from Lee, but just be careful you don't flare the casemouth too much. You need very little expansion to seat the bullet. Unless you're shaving jacket (or lead) off the bullet when seating, it's not truly necessary. I use them on progressive presses because it allows for faster bullet seating.

 

[577-450]

Buy a Lyman -m die you can order them from Lyman directly to your house I have ordered two one for my 45-70 and one for my 44-40 they work great look them up on the Lyman web sight.

 

[BlackLabelBrad]

I have Lee dies for 45-70 and use the powder-through-expander to flare the case mouth a bit before seating bullets. I crumpled a few cases trying to seat bullets into new brass when I first got started, but after I started running them through the powder-through-expander die first I've yet to have any more problems seating bullets.

 

[BrotherRockeye]

iirc, all of my straight wall die sets are 3 piece with an expander included...that said they are all RCBS or Lyman die sets.

 

[Bitumen]

Redding titanium carbide 3 die set for straight wall cases is the bomb.

 

[tjhaile]

I have recently started to use Lyman M expander dies for rifle cases in lieu of the expander ball on the sizing die. It makes for easier sizing and the case necks don't seem to require lube on the inside. Since I am using a progressive press, there is no extra work.

 

[bigedp51]

Below, are type M expanders, they help greatly with lead bullets by making them start straight into the case and not tilting.

 

[bigedp51]

Oops, the dreaded double post.