I am starting to start reloading again and it has been quite a few years. I am going be mostly loading cast bullets into 44 mag, special and 38's. I know I want to get carbide dies but I think i remember reading that one particular die does a good job of expanding the throat of the shell for lead bullets. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Rich
44 mag dies for cast bullets?
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Lees are the cheapest and Ive been using them in 44s/44 mag,38/357 and 45 colt for years with no problems ( my 45 acp dies are RCBS)
smousefam5
Member
I believe all pistol die sets have a die that expands the case to aid in bullet seating...yes?
jepp2
Member
When shooting lead in revolvers where they headspace off the rim, I use the Lyman M die (or the Redding equivalent since the Lyman patent has expired) for all my expanding needs.
fredj338
Member
All dies can be used for the 44mag & lead bullets. All I load are lead bullets in all my magnums, no need for a special M die IMO.
44 mag dies
44 Special dies will reload 44 Spl and 44 Mag. 44 Magnum dies only reload 44 mag because the 44 mag seater die will only crimp the mouth of a 44 mag case (44 spl case length is too short to reach the crimp step in the die).
Buy a 3-die 44 special set and you will be good to go. The best setup is a standard 3-die set and a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die. This will allow to seat the bullet and crimp the case mouth in separate operations.
44 Special dies will reload 44 Spl and 44 Mag. 44 Magnum dies only reload 44 mag because the 44 mag seater die will only crimp the mouth of a 44 mag case (44 spl case length is too short to reach the crimp step in the die).
Buy a 3-die 44 special set and you will be good to go. The best setup is a standard 3-die set and a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die. This will allow to seat the bullet and crimp the case mouth in separate operations.
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Thanks again! Couple of questions. If the Lyman M die is used do you have to lube the case? I see when looking at Midway that it is not carbide.
Thanks Engineer, I was not aware of the 44spl 44mag die difference. I definitely want to do both.
Thanks Engineer, I was not aware of the 44spl 44mag die difference. I definitely want to do both.
Vulcan Bob
Member
Hey there, the Lyman expander die is not a resizeing die and thusly does not need a carbide ring as a sizer die would. The Lyman M type expander die is a two step procedure, first it expands the inside of the case to just under bullet diameter and then will flare the case mouth for easy insertion of your cast bullet. This is a ideal way to seat your cast bullets as the case is formed to accept the bullet and will not deform or size the bullet down to fit the case. I use the M type expander for all of my calibers using cast bullets. One tip for the Lyman die, the expander "ball" that sizes the case is threaded onto a shaft, it will come loose and cause havoc with your setting! Just unthread it, put a dab of blue Loctite and snug it back on and your good to go! Hope this helps!
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TAROMAN
US Veteran
Another vote for the Lyman M die.
While I've loaded 10s of 1000s with regular flaring dies, the M die does make for a nicer job. May even be easier on the cases.
I've swapped the expanders on most of my die sets for one.
While I've loaded 10s of 1000s with regular flaring dies, the M die does make for a nicer job. May even be easier on the cases.
I've swapped the expanders on most of my die sets for one.
jepp2
Member
I would be the last one to tell you that the Lyman M die expander is a requirement. But with this illustration courtesy of Unclenick, which do you want?
[URL=http://s860.photobucket.com/user/jepp2/media/LymanFlare_zps8fcdfd48.jpg.html]
[/URL]sevt_chevelle
Member
On my Dillon 650 I use Redding's Pro series carbide dies which are capable of doing both specials and Mags. I've only loaded Missouri bullet companies 240 gr Keith bullet and their 240 gr round rose with no problems...Eric
Maximumbob54
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I too thought I didn't need the Lyman M die for seating lead bullets.
Then I bought one.
Now I need them for everything I reload.
If you still think you don't need one then don't ever try one.
Then I bought one.
Now I need them for everything I reload.
If you still think you don't need one then don't ever try one.
Larry from Bend
Member
So you're saying that RCBS 44 Mag/44 Special dies are really 44 Special dies????? I've loaded Mags and Specials for many years with the same set ----- they crimp just fine.
Nothing wrong with a separate crimping operation but NOT required -- I like the Redding model ---
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Can you even buy a 44 Mag. only set of dies? RCBS, Hornady, Redding and Lyman are all labeled and sold to load both.
gregintenn
Member
Lee works great for me.
I guess I am confused: I thought the Lyman "M" die was for rifle calibers... as I understand it and in my experiences, expanding the neck of cases works best in rifle calibers, and is unnecessary in handguns. As a matter of fact, brass/case tension in handgun calibers is what keeps a bullet from moving under recoil, so the case has to be very tight against the projectile. The "M" die would absolutely eliminate the capability of doing this.
I have shot thousands of handgun rounds loaded with conventional handgun caliber dies and never used a "neck" expander for a single case mouth, primarily because handgun cartridges typically have no true "neck". I have used the standard "expander die" to flare the mouth of the case prior to seating a projectile, but that is it.
And as for the photo above, the seating plug in the seater die will square the projectile during the seating process if the proper profile for the seater plug is selected.
Finally, I have to believe that the die manufacturers would offer an expanding die for straight wall handgun cases rather than just a mouth flaring tool if there was any benefit to using one for handgun rounds. But I may be completely out to lunch...
I have shot thousands of handgun rounds loaded with conventional handgun caliber dies and never used a "neck" expander for a single case mouth, primarily because handgun cartridges typically have no true "neck". I have used the standard "expander die" to flare the mouth of the case prior to seating a projectile, but that is it.
And as for the photo above, the seating plug in the seater die will square the projectile during the seating process if the proper profile for the seater plug is selected.
Finally, I have to believe that the die manufacturers would offer an expanding die for straight wall handgun cases rather than just a mouth flaring tool if there was any benefit to using one for handgun rounds. But I may be completely out to lunch...
