lead shaving while seating cast

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

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Just finished up a batch on .303 brit. Noticed that when seating the case shaved off a notifiable amount of lead on most of the rounds. Some was just a small amount that created a small lip if lead, others was a noticeable shaving. i had about 40 cases charged already so I finished them up but I know they wont shoot as well as they should, but these were destined to be plinking rounds so not too concerned.

So, I understand that a beveled case mouth will solve this. Pistol dies come with a die specifically for opening the mouth slightly but what can be used for rifle calibers?

Thanks.
 
Lee makes a universal Neck expander tool that fits in your press. They can be found here at Midway but may be available elsewhere.

ht tp://www.midwayusa.com/product/140461/lee-universal-neck-expanding-die

I have used it for seating .30-30, .308 and 30-06 cast bullets. You don't need to expand the mouth much, use carefully.
 
I've used various dies to flare case mouths before, if you have any die with a .35cal expander just run the .303 case up into the die and see if the expander will flare the case mouth a hair...

You could probably use a 9mm expander die if it had a good taper on the bottom of the plug.... You don't need much of a flare on the case mouth just a very slight flare you can remove with some tweaking of the .303 seating dies built in crimping provision.
 
If you're going to reload a lot of cast bullets, I would suggest you check out Lyman's Rifle Case Neck Expanding M Die (Part #7349005 for .303 British). They work really well with cast bullets. The following is from the Lyman website:

The first step expands the inside of the case neck to just under bullet diameter for precise case neck tension in the finished reload.
The second step expands the case mouth to bullet diameter or slightly over. This allows the jacketed or cast bullet to be started perfectly centered in the case mouth and properly aligned with the axis of the case neck.
 
Otto V said:
If you're going to reload a lot of cast bullets, I would suggest you check out Lyman's Rifle Case Neck Expanding M Die (Part #7349005 for .303 British). They work really well with cast bullets. The following is from the Lyman website:

The first step expands the inside of the case neck to just under bullet diameter for precise case neck tension in the finished reload.
The second step expands the case mouth to bullet diameter or slightly over. This allows the jacketed or cast bullet to be started perfectly centered in the case mouth and properly aligned with the axis of the case neck.
Click to expand...

Yes im for Lyman as well, been using the 30 cal die for loading cast in 308, and 30.06. works great
 
heheh Haven't got around to getting an expanding die yet - I've been using an old ball point pen on my .25 brass...
 
I also recommend the M die. They can flare the case mouth for lead bullets or just expand the case necks for jacketed bullets, depending on how they are adjusted. I use them in place of the sizing die expander ball, as I find that expanding on the up stroke of the ram makes for a smoother operation with less growth in case length. Because I use a Dillon 550, there is no extra work in breaking the sizing process down into two stages.
 
I also recommend the Lyman type M die and it can also be used for jacketed bullets and reducing neck runout during bullet seating. I just got one two weeks ago for loading .223/5.56 and it works great. Below you can see the .226 "step" it creates inside the case neck and allows the bullet to slide in the case like it was on wheels.

Various3_zpsi85oz4p6.png


Rifle (M) Die 31 L (.303 British)
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/dies/rifle-die-details.php?brand=3&cartridge=36&die=76

mtype_zpsd7a1881f.jpg


Below is a exaggerated drawing of standard case mouth flaring and the Lyman type M die, and how it aids seating. The Lyman patent ran out and many pistol dies now have the same setup.

bulletseatingflaresands_zps1aff9c57.jpg


Below is a set of Redding pistol dies with the type M expander.

typeM_zpsab079dc2.jpg
 
Not to derail the thread fellas but I've been unsuccessful in locating a lyman m die for my 35 whelen. Anyone able to point me to a canadIan dealer that has them? Will order from the US if I can't find it here.
 
Otto V said:
If you're going to reload a lot of cast bullets, I would suggest you check out Lyman's Rifle Case Neck Expanding M Die (Part #7349005 for .303 British). They work really well with cast bullets. The following is from the Lyman website:

The first step expands the inside of the case neck to just under bullet diameter for precise case neck tension in the finished reload.
The second step expands the case mouth to bullet diameter or slightly over. This allows the jacketed or cast bullet to be started perfectly centered in the case mouth and properly aligned with the axis of the case neck.
Click to expand...

:agree:

I consider the Lyman M die a must have for loading lead rifle bullets.
 
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