Expanding case issue
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I'm guessing you didn't get it shoved all the way into the shellholder and the base of the expander hit the top and folded it down. I have done the same with a U-decap die on occasion. Be sure you push the case all the way into the shellholder (and be sure you press is level)
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The Lee shellholders are notorious for being "loose", meaning they don't hold the case snugly. When you go to use the expander, make sure the case is pushed all the way in. Don't have that problem with Lyman, RCBS, or Hornady shellholders as they are made for each caliber. For example, the Lee #19 "fits" 9mm, 38 Super, 40S&W, 10mm even though the cases are not the same dimension.
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Yea I just went back out to do a few more and switch from my turret press to my single stage and ruined another out of 15 I just did. not sure was the deal here.. it's happening with my 38/357 expander getting frustrated 😠.
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I believe I don't have the universal one it's the lee #1 for 38/357. I was wondering if it's the expander it self. I noticed is on my federal case and none of my remington or starline. I'm going to buy a lyman shellholders and another expander to see.
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yes.. if I hold the case and feel it out it expands fine but I just can't run them like normal .. it just started this after my 200 cases. I feel it's not really going in aligned. I'm here in Florida bored out my azz waiting on the Hurricane so I figured do some reloading. I'll probably jus load so 45's😒
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9,244 Posts
Could there be a rough spot or burr on the tip of the expander?
Grumpy
Grumpy
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I check it out & hit with a scuff pad and all. On some cases it will slide in and on other is like if it's same size.
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365 Posts
That's why I replace and Lee shell holders with Redding.
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The Lyman "M" expander die is your friend. Get the Lyman and ditch the Lee.
I use Redding and RCBS shell holders. They hold the cases very well.
I could never understand why Lee does not make a true 9mm shell holder. The one they make is designed to be used for both 9mm and .40 S&W. 9mm cases just flop around in there.
Both Redding and Lyman M die has the extra step in the expander plug.
Redding expander die:
Redding Expander Die 45 ACP 45 Auto Rim
Redding Expander Dies flare the case mouth slightly to facilitate bullet seating. These dies are held to strict manufacturing tolerances at all stages...
www.midwayusa.com
If you want to get fancy, you can get the Redding premium expander with a TIN coating.
Redding Premium Expander Die 40 S&W. 10mm Auto
The Redding Premium Expander die contains the unique Redding expander plug now coated in TiN, Titanium Nitride for added surface hardness, lubricity and...
www.midwayusa.com
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14,118 Posts
Something is not right at all here. The part about the expander hitting the edge of the case mouth makes perfect sense from an alignment standpoint and “folding” the edge. But now you have that same expander just going into the case with no effect?? Back everything off and unscrew the die. Reinstall it by following their instructions exactly and make sure the lock ring is tight. Try again. I have caught a case on the edge of the sizing/decamp die before but never on an expander die. You have to be waaay off since the tip of the expander is beveled. This is just weird.
Oh.. I just remembered.. There can be an "alignment issue" with your press, too...
I found info on this with the lee turret - I was banging the lip too damned often at flare and fiddling case alignment all the time.. Turned out the solution is to loosen the nuts on the support legs a little, run the case up the die and wiggle the turret a bit.. They can get marginally out of vertical alignment and this will let you realign. Lock down the nuts and make sure your depths are still correct.
This occured to me this summer and I've not had a "bang-over" since then.
I found info on this with the lee turret - I was banging the lip too damned often at flare and fiddling case alignment all the time.. Turned out the solution is to loosen the nuts on the support legs a little, run the case up the die and wiggle the turret a bit.. They can get marginally out of vertical alignment and this will let you realign. Lock down the nuts and make sure your depths are still correct.
This occured to me this summer and I've not had a "bang-over" since then.
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The Lee powder through expander die is ok and many used them with no issues at all, but I just never liked them, especially after being used to loading pistol ammunition with Lyman and RCBS expander dies. It's pretty easy to convert the Lee Universal or the Lee Powder Through expander die to a more useful die using one of the NOE two-step case mouth expander inserts. If you're using the Universal expander, use it the same as you normally would, you just simply replace the provided Lee expanders with the NOE expander for the caliber you're loading.
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So is trying to bash a large primer into a small P case that got through security somehow! 😡
I hope you fire your security.
That can easily be solved by using all small primer 45 brass. I believe they're easier and cheaper to find too.
Kicked him square in the nuts!I hope you fire your security.
That can easily be solved by using all small primer 45 brass. I believe they're easier and cheaper to find too.
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