Lee expander dies ... SUCK!

[Howa 9700]

If memory serves, the bump or force is there by design. The purpose of the "bump" is to bump the powder measure that can be mounted above it and powder dropped thru the expander die. The bump is to get any residual powder to fall.

I notice when using the Lee perfect powder measure and very fine pistol powders, there is some powder that accumulates below the mouth of the measure. At first I thought it was powder leaking thru the cone of the measure..........then went back and checked setup......and there is mention of it in the instructions. As setup, there is a very small landing area where some fine powders can hang up. Instructions say you can remove the stop to get measure to rotate past that stop area to eliminate the landing area. Can't do that when powder measure is mated to a press and pass thru die. Helps to tap it to get powder to fall. Bump does the same thing.

 

[DukeConnor]

Off topic ..... but
I'm still learning reloading.
I assume meaning cleaning cases in tumbler, but what does "tumble with pins" mean?
Thanks!

Wet tumbling

 

[AJC1]

I don't know. And I said that was one reason, not the only reason. Didn't mean to step on any toes.

No toes stepped on... I ask because I want to hear you position or thoughts. That's the only way to grow and understand.

 

[Skgreen]

Don't know that acronym

Armor All Wash & Wax

 

[CQB45ACP]

If memory serves, the bump or force is there by design. The purpose of the "bump" is to bump the powder measure that can be mounted above it and powder dropped thru the expander die. The bump is to get any residual powder to fall.

I notice when using the Lee perfect powder measure and very fine pistol powders, there is some powder that accumulates below the mouth of the measure. At first I thought it was powder leaking thru the cone of the measure..........then went back and checked setup......and there is mention of it in the instructions. As setup, there is a very small landing area where some fine powders can hang up. Instructions say you can remove the stop to get measure to rotate past that stop area to eliminate the landing area. Can't do that when powder measure is mated to a press and pass thru die. Helps to tap it to get powder to fall. Bump does the same thing.

I think you’re correct up to a point—but the force sometimes with new or squeaky clean brass can be really really hard—galling or whatever it’s called occurs.

 

[Skgreen]

Bob: Tumbling with pins.
Here is an example of the stainless steel pins some use when wet tumbling:

 

[PapaG]

Normal for most of mine. I chuck them up in the drill press and polish to a mirror finish. Helps somewhat.

 

[jmorris]

Brand spanking new brass from Starline.

Lube them, tumble them with polish or whatever you normally do where they are not “squeaky“ clean. There’s a reason they call it that…

 

[Walkalong]

All my Lee expander dies require a LARGE downward upward force when removing the die from the case. My wife can hear it from clear across the house! Why would Lee design such a boneheaded die? Also, I have to believe this ain’t good for my Redding T-7 turret press.

They say it’s on purpose to help settle powder etc, but, imho, that’s just advertising to excuse poor machining, which of course saves money. Some are worse than others, I polished all of mine, and most (if not all?) have been replaced.

 

[jski]

You didn’t need to buy another brand die…but could’ve disclosed that factoid before we tried to help with old one

I use a Lee for 9mm and always have and expand squeaky clean cases. When I sense there is a required increase in force or other anomaly I know it’s time to clean/polish the expander.

I use a Redding for 45acp and the same holds true…periodically clean/polish.

I periodically maintain most every mechanical thing in my life or pay someone else to.

That's a wonderful theory but these are brand spanking new Lee dies ... just like the brass.
New brass, new dies, Lee is running out of excuses.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

All my Lee rifle dies have been replaced with RCBS dies. The finish on the Lee dies were not very smooth. The RCBS ones work much better. Only Lee rifle dies i kept were the ones for my Sons 243. They have a nice finish. All my hand gun dies are Lee. They work good. So no reason to replace them.

 

[CQB45ACP]

That's a wonderful theory but these are brand spanking new Lee dies ... just like the brass.

Not an idle a theory—proven time and again and mentioned several times by others on this thread. You asked for advice but aren’t really interested in any??

 

[CQB45ACP]

They say it’s on purpose to help settle powder etc, but, imho, that’s just advertising to excuse poor machining, which of course saves money. Some are worse than others, I polished all of mine, and most (if not all?) have been replaced.

I use 9mm on SS and it works fine since polishing & periodic cleaning—just like my Redding for 45acp.

 

[reddog81]

I use Hornady One Shot case lube and a little gets inside the case when being sprayed. This helps some.
Another trick I have found is to find something you can use as a spacer inside the die to prevent the expander from moving. A wooden dowel about half an inch long of the correct diameter inserted on top of the expander and then screw the top back on snug. This prevents the expander from moving and makes the process a little less jarring. This negates the powder through functionality but I don't use that anyways.

 

[drband]

New brass will stick on an expander… every time, no matter the brand of die. It’s just not an issue. Use a little lube if it bothers you. More smoothly finished dies may help.

Is there a difference in loaded ammo results between those dies? Not sure there is.

I get what you are saying (having personally bought a couple of “m-type” ptx expanders from NOE to address another loading issue). If a different die smooths out your process and that’s important to you, go for it. I’m just saying the ammo produced will not be distinguishable from that produced using the Lee die.

—Which is why Lee continues to successfully market those dies.

 

[The Bushmaster]

How much are you expanding the case mouth. Only need to expand them just enough to start the bullet.

All my die sets are Lee. From .380 to .45 ACP and none of them give me a problem with sticking.

 

[Chief TC]

All my Lee expander dies require a LARGE downward upward force when removing the die from the case. My wife can hear it from clear across the house! Why would Lee design such a boneheaded die? Also, I have to believe this ain’t good for my Redding T-7 turret press.

Hmmm, I use all Lee products and have had no problems with expander dies. I have the dies for each caliber and I have the universal expanding die. Seems your dies would not be set properly or there is a a problem with using them in a Redding?

 

[jski]

Not an idle a theory—proven time and again and mentioned several times by others on this thread. You asked for advice but aren’t really interested in any??

You've misconstrued my comments. ALL my frustration is directed solely at Lee.

 

[CQB45ACP]

You've misconstrued my comments. ALL my frustration is directed solely at Lee.

Okay then.

Please take the expander plug from your die and do what folks here have suggested whether it’s polishing or whatever and then try it again on brand new brass. Does it fix the issue or lessen it?

 

[mdi]

I experience some "shudder" when extracting a powder through die from a squeaky clean case (but I normally dry tumble and have a but of auto wax in the media. Leaves a thin, light coat of wax that retards tarnish and provided a small amount of lube). Even with "clean, nekkid" brass the shudder isn't loud nor distracting. It has been tossed around reloading forums that the shudder is actually a plus; is shakes powder granules/flaked off the die and case walls...

Yep, it's one of those "terrible" Lee junky dies. They do this on purpose to keep new, mechanically disinclined reloaders confused (not!!!!).

 

[berettaprofessor]

New brass will stick on an expander… every time, no matter the brand of die. It’s just not an issue. Use a little lube if it bothers you. More smoothly finished dies may help.

This^^ Necks need lube too.

 

[Mark_Mark]

All my Lee expander dies require a LARGE downward upward force when removing the die from the case. My wife can hear it from clear across the house! Why would Lee design such a boneheaded die? Also, I have to believe this ain’t good for my Redding T-7 turret press.

time to step it up to M profile dies! Straight true rounds!

 

[Soonerpesek]

Brand spanking new brass from Starline.

Starline tells you on the card that it is a good idea to dry tumble their brass to get rid of the anti-corrosion stuff they apply to it thst causes the cases to “stick”…..

 

[CQB45ACP]

Starline tells you on the card that it is a good idea to dry tumble their brass to get rid of the anti-corrosion stuff they apply to it thst causes the cases to “stick”…..

Wisdom from the heartland

 

[Howa 9700]

Screw the die in until it touches the shell holder; then back out one full
turn. For magnum cases, back out the expander die an additional 1 ¾
turns. Finger tighten the lock ring, adjust the flare to your liking; turning
inward increases the flare. For maximum case life, flare only enough to
easily accept a bullet. In use, the expander plug travels approximately
3/8 ” within the die and comes to an abrupt stop at extraction. This helps
to shake the powder through. However, we recommend you check to b

Does the above......from the instructions for Lee expanding die.......not address and explain what is going on with OP's die?

I would have to check to be certain, but if no flare is being applied and there is no resistance.......that only showing up when flare is being applied, then if extraction is a problem I'd be looking into how much flare I was applying. I feel it rub a bit, but I'm following the instructions. Only enough flare that I can press a bullet in the case and it will stay there without falling over.