Does Lyman M Die require lubing?

TTv2

TTv2

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Starline .32 S&W Long, brand new out of box... I mean bag. I had two cases get stuck on the expander and rip out of the shellholder while using the Lee APP, switched to my hand press that I recall using often with the M die. I figured maybe I wasn't pushing the case up against the stop on the shellholder on the bench. I took the M die apart, cleaned the expander with some CLP and paper towel, and put it in the Lee hand press. Using the hand press I tilt it 90 degrees and let gravity feed the case against the stop and then I run it up and down and no issues over 100 cases. I kept an eye on the expander to make sure it wasn't twisting, but I thread lock all my M die expanders because I've had that issue in the past and the expander wasn't moving, so that wasn't the issue.

I want to say I've had the same issue using the Lee Cast Turret, but it's been a few years since I used the M die on that.

So, what's going on here? Is the APP the problem, am I not pushing the case against the stop, or does the M die require some kind of lube?
 
Brand new shiny brass, or wet tumbled brass without any lube is going to have quite a bit of stiction on steel. I prefer to give my wet tumbled brass a quick spray of One Shot case lube before running it through the press. All my M die PTXs run smoother with a bit of lube - lube that’s safe for powder. I wouldn’t use CLP, that may have issues in the future.
 
I’ve had some .32swl stick on a Lee powder thru expander but not to that extent.

I dumped them in my tumbler with some walnut hull media with NuFinish wax and it greatly improved function.
 
Mouth expanding die should have a bit of lubricant. The components are generally steel and need some "help".

It depends on your reloading process, but it does not require much lubrication. Find the process that works for you. I find I dip the case mouth on a lubricant pad every 4 or 5 cases for neck sizing. You may prefer to us a lube brush and pre lube every case mouth.

Use what works for you, but yes, some lubricant is needed.
 
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What your are experiencing is very common with new brass.
Start by keeping your expander free from any brass buildup by using a good copper remover like “Bore Tech Copper Remover”.
Like materials tend to gall when put under friction so you when the expander has brass buildup the friction increases and that’s why your pulling cases out of your shell holder.

Spray the cases with a light coating of One Shot and check you expander every 100 or so to see if your getting any buildup of brass.
If you are you may need to spray more on the cases.

Another option is using Unique Case Lube and apply sparingly to the inside of the case mouths with a Q-tip. Do this to 25% of you cases and it should leave enough on your expander to keep the uncoated expanded okay. This may work for the Lee APP where your treated cases are loaded randomly.
If your loading on a press by hand just insert a coated case every ten or so.
 
A little OneShot goes a long ways and will make your life easier both for sizing and neck expansion. And it will not contaminate your powder once dry.
The APP should be enough press to expand necks.
 
Stihl weedwacker fully in hand(goin off into the weeds but heck,there's some discussion going on over there)

I make spuds for M dies. Pretty dang fun actually because it's a downright challenge hitting the #'s. Gassing up the Stihl....

I swear,a mirror finish on an M spud has noticeably more stiction, than one that's say,a little Lee'ish haha. I've seen others mention this as well so,it happens. Ideally, it would hit the #'s on diameter,but think hills N valleys(Lee,bwahaha) with the hills having the mirror finish. What happens in practice is the lube gets in the valleys and has a fighting chance of staying put...
 
I also clean, then polish the heck out of any die, regardless of brand!

You can't believe how some that are loaded up with chips, dirt or debris, and/or machining lubricant from the manufacturing process.
 
I have never lubed hand gun calibers at any stage. Always rifle cartridges.

I use a mix match of dies. Hornady, RCBS, Lee, I know I am forgetting a color somewhere.
 
I load on dillon 650 and wet tumble my brass. Tried about 3 different expanders but they all got stuck, even tried polished them.
Then I bought the redding pro expander that is TiN coated, no more sticking. Can't even feel the case getting expanded, it's well worth the added 15 bucks over the Lynman die.
 
New brass either tumble in dirty media or lube...M die, powder funnels, will sometimes stick coming out. 32s are the worse, lol
 
I don't purchase new brass but If I were going to lube my M-Die I would use this. Swipe some inside every 5th case with a Q-Tip.

www.midwayusa.com

Imperial Dry Neck Lube 1oz Powder

Imperial Dry Neck Lube is graphite based powder and is designed to reduce the drag and chatter of the cartridge case neck within the sizing die and...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com
 
Also this from the Starline FAQ: (along with the corrosion inhibitor)

Why is it very hard to get expander and powder funnel back out of case?​

There are two situations that create this problem. The first is one seems to be associated with the Dillon powder funnel and only a couple of calibers (45 Auto and 40 S&W). The land for expanding case mouth is too long and when you begin to bell mouth the bottom of expander gets into the thicker taper of case and wedges causing it to be very hard to get back out. We have modified several by increasing radius on end and slightly shortening expanding land and this eliminated the problem completely. Call Starline and we will take care of it if you wish. One other cause can be a burr at case mouth created by the final trim operation, which grabs onto expander as it comes back up. This situation does not often appear and can be fixed by deburring case mouth or inside lubing cases.
 
Like some above I don't lube any expander either.
Keeping the inside of the die very clean and shined up will.probably prevent any future problems.
 
One thing to remember is that the OP is wanting to use the Lee APP to expand with a M style expander.
I’m assuming with a pass through shell holder that doesn’t have the retaining strength of a standard shell holder.
If polishing the expander or using a TiN coated expander doesn’t work to reduce friction, the only option is to add lubricaction or move to a standard shell holder and slow the process down.
Would there be any other options for him?
 
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