LYMAN M DIE ?

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

lonewolf5347

Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2005
Messages
495
I like to ask how many reloaders here use the lyman M die over the lee neck expander die to seat lead cast bullets.
I was speaking with a few reloaders the other day they did state the M die is a better choice over Lee die.
I myself only expand the neck of the case ( 9MM) just enough to seat the bullet with out and shaving of lead of the cast boolet.
I was also told not to use the FTC Die only because with oversize lead ,I now run .358 cast in my 9mm
 
lonewolf5347 said:
I was speaking with a few reloaders the other day they did state the M die is a better choice over Lee die
Click to expand...
I prefer it as well, or the new RCBS & Redding copies (Near copies?), but it will work. Someone makes a great two step insert that fits the Lee die. Name escapes me now. Not a fan of the FCD.
 
Each to his own..
I DO use the M die on my cast rifle bullets. Seems to keep runout at a min on my 30 cal loads (30-30 + .308).
The Lee FCD is OK, as long as you do not overdo it..Too much FCD size will loose some neck tension on some cases.
IMO: .358" is a little large for 9MM cast..my Lee Six gang molds throw @ about .357". I power coat paint, and run through a RCBS .357" size die for my CZ's + Glock loads.
I like 124-125gr. for these, but again Each to His Own...Bill
 
For straight walled cases, I prefer the Lee dies over all others. The Lyman M die is fine, but I have shown before with both pictures and micrometer measurements that the expander plugs on my Lee dies for .38, .40 and .44 are all two step expanders, just like the Lyman die. And due to other design features of the Lee expander and die, I personally feel it is superior to the Lyman die.

I also have very little use for the Lee FCD, and I absolutely never use it for plain lead or plated bullets.
 
NOE Molds makes a two step insert for lee dies. I bored mine out to use with the powder through die. Works great I use it on cast and jacketed bullets.
 
The advantage of buying the NOE 2-step version is that they machine them in several sizes so you can order the one specific to your bullet size vs. just caliber. That way you are sure that you are expanding the case large enough so as not to shave your oversized bullet.

The 2-step expanders really help to insure that you are seating the bullet straight by creating an even step for the bullet to sit on before you seat it. You will notice less bulges on one side of the case because the bullet is being seated straight into the case instead of an an angle. I have them for all of my pistol calibers.
 
Last edited:
mdemetz said:
They only show 2 in the powder thru type.
Click to expand...

Yes. They stopped making the powder thru version. However, they will machine the expanders to any dimension you need. Therefore, I think there is also a good chance they might also be willing to create a powder thru version for a few extra bucks.
 
Last edited:
I'm with Billybob44 on the Lyman "M" dies as I've always considered them a must-have for loading cast bullets in rifle cartridges.
 
M-Die is a fine tool to have. I use them in all my pistol and rifle reloading, both jacketed and HiTek coated. Just makes my life a little easier. I start loading a new caliber, I buy an M-Die for that caliber. For pistol I actually have to expand less using these, which means less crimp. Only rifle Ive been testing using the M-die to do the neck expansion, vs using the expander ball. I do use a FCD, but only a kiss to take out any flare, both rifle and pistol.
 
I favor the Lyman M Die for loading, especially cast bullets, but it also works well for jacketed bullets. Most of mine are in handgun calibers, but the one for .45-70 is especially good for cast bullets in that caliber, and I can also use it on .45-120 Sharps by putting the M insert into the .45-120 die.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
The Lyman M-die is outstanding...enough that RCBS and Redding copied them and NOE makes copies for the Lee dies. A superior die to the Lee expander

It works especially well on a progressive press as the "seat" that it creates holds the bullet in alignment between the bullet feeder and the seating die
 
The M die works, but not so much better that I would run out and buy one for every cartridge I shoot lead in. I have two, .44 cal and .38 cal. and I have found that I don;t use them every time I reload that caliber and just use an RCBS or more often Lee flaring die...
 
Walkalong said:
Someone makes a great two step insert that fits the Lee die. Name escapes me now.
Click to expand...
hnusz said:
NOE Molds makes a two step insert for lee dies.
Click to expand...
That was it. Dang memory. :)

Anyway, they are good stuff, and much better than the typical bell the Lee expanders have.
9mmepiphany said:
NOE makes copies for the Lee dies. A superior die to the Lee expander

It works especially well on a progressive press as the "seat" that it creates holds the bullet in alignment between the bullet feeder and the seating die
Click to expand...
Indeed!
 
I have a sr9 that slugs at .356.7
I run .358 cast 122 FP Lyman #2
Mix.
Question come to mind the plug on the M die opens only to .357
I need .358 can I get by .001difference I spoke with Lyman they don't have a plug .358
38 Cal would be too large??
 
Last edited:
Yes , I also use the M die in the 3 calibers I load lead for and I am thinking about getting one for loading plated 9mm bullets . I did have to get a new expander plug for my new set of Lee dies . I could not get it expanded right , it was either to small or with a little press on the bullet with my finger it would drop all the way in the case , no in between . I called Lee and they sent me a new plug and it fixed the problem .
 
lonewolf5347 said:
I need .358 can I get by .001difference I spoke with Lyman they don't have a plug .358
Click to expand...
NOE makes their 2-step plugs in several sizes depending on your needs. I have attached a link below to their .359 expander plug.Most likely that is what you will need in you are loading .358 bullets.

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/produc...cts_id=1608&osCsid=ltn9ng78aaq3qonjk2srfm4ps6

They can machine these in a custom diameter as well if they don't already produce your size.
 
Last edited:
Those are the cats meow for installing in the Lee expander die body. A no brainer. The M Die style expander starts bullets straighter which means they get seated straighter. Sliding sleeves help, but only so much. If it is started straighter it will end up straighter, sleeve or no sleeve. Period.
 
Last edited:
They might make one powder through if you ask them to. It would be simple enough.
 
I use them in every caliber I load. Started using them in 1990 and will never use anything else. Bullets "snap in" straight and stay that way while seating.
 
I have both, I just recently got the M die and I can tell you, I don't know why I waited so long to get one! The Lee expander will collect dust now.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

P
  • Locked
Expanding or M dies for cast bullets
Replies
12
Views
2K
Quantrill
Q
V
  • Locked
Compatability with Lyman M die and Lee seating die
Replies
3
Views
661
243winxb
243winxb
nevadabob
  • Locked
Lead Bullets: Do you load using the Lyman 2 Step Expander Die?
2 3
Replies
54
Views
6K
sexybeast
S
L
  • Locked
Lyman m die
Replies
20
Views
2K
Mowgli Terry
Mowgli Terry
DMF38
  • Locked
Lee Universal Expander vs Lyman M
Replies
10
Views
2K
Noffsinger
N
Back
Top