Lee classic turret and expanding die

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eroc1l

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When I try to pull the loaded and expanded brass out of the expanding die on the down stroke it kind of hangs up into the die. I have to put alot more force to pull the brass out. When it does come out it, it comes out with a clunk. Is this normal ? Is the purpose of this clunk on the down stroke to stir the power in the powder measure? I have the die set up for a min amount of flare to just fit the bullet before it is seated.
 
By chance are u also using a Lee disc powder measure with a spring return?? I had this same problem years ago but it wasnt the die hanging up, but the powder measure disc return spring. It may not be returning fully and this can also result in undercharged cases. It may take a bit of tweeking with the tension screw but u definately want to resolve that problem.
Cheers:)
dB
 
I had the same problem with my lee 45acp dies when turning them in to what the manual suggests. The case mouth was getting over expanded.

Try backing the die out until you can see and feel minimal expansion on the case mouth. Don't go too far or you'll find bullet seating isn't too easy.
 
Yes I am using a Lee disc powder measure, but I tried expanding with out it, just with the die it self and still have brass hanging up.
 
I think that you have received the 2 main potential problems.
Possibly over expanding the case mouth making for a large case mouth to come back down out of the die.
Or the powder measure sticking & then releasing.

I have had both issues over the years.
 
I backed out expanding die so bullet would just enter mouth with out shaving. Case is easier to remove but still has a pop when coming off die. Its hard to see whats going on with case in the way. It looks to me like the expanding plug just holding on to the case on the way out. It not hanging on at the mouth of the die, lots of room. Maybe the slight pop is normal
 
The pop should not be there. It should be a smooth release on the upstroke. I think you need to do a few things. Firstly, take the expander die out and clean the plug and the die to be absolutely sure there isnt a piece of crud in there. Then have a look at your Powder measure and spring mechanism. I am pretty sure the problem lies there. If the assembly is not straight vertical it can hang up as it can also do if the tension on the T or L bar isnt right. It may be as simple as the springbushing being in backwards but it should not hang up. Those pops can knock the powder around pretty good and give u false throws and in some cases, the disc is not fully returning resulting in no powder being thrown at all. Do some dry runs and you will determine where its hanging up. I was plagued by squibs as a result of this very thing and I did manage to solve but it took some time to diagnose properly.
Good luck
dB
 
Well I backed the expanding die out to what I thought was way out, but to my surprise the bullet still seated very easy. Looks like I had way to much expanding going on. Thanks for the help. How much should the expanding plug travel into the case ?
 
U only need to bell(flare) the case mouth just enough to allow a bullet to fit in without shaving..It doesnt take much. Glad to hear u isolated the problem. Just keep an eye on the powder measure for future reference(assuming u have the spring type vs the newer chain type).
Cheers
dB
 
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