Carbide die and 9mm

You read one set of instructions ... you've read them all ...right?
Gary

My thought was why would the Lee 4 die carbide 9mm set have different instructions than my Lee 4 die carbide .40S&W/10mm set, or my Lee 4 die carbide .38 SPL/.357 Mag set.
 
Just for grins I went and sized some FC headstamp cases with three different 9mm sizing dies. I sized three cases with each die. They were consistent within the three-case groups. Here's what I got:

Redding Pro Comp: .386 base .370 mouth
Hornady Custom Grade: same as the Redding
RCBS 1980 steel die: .386 base .368 mouth

The seemingly narrow base measurement is because of where I measured it. Since the shell holder blocks the die from going all the way down I measured with the case in the shell holder, along with a thin washer as a spacer to be sure I was measuring a sized portion of the case. I was really trying to quantify the taper and how the two carbide dies compared to the old steel die.

Not a spit's worth of difference between the three to me.
 
What's the part # for the RCBS tapered expander plug ? Thanks.


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I just checked my 1980's era Lyman die set. The carbide ring in mine is full length and tapered.
 
So, thanks, again! Due to this thread I am now aware that I can just obtain other Lyman M-type expander plugs to go with my Lyman M-type Die for other pistol calibers.

You can learn something new every day!

Cheers!

P.S. You can also obtain Lyman M-type expander plugs for use with the LEE Universal Expander Die. Search for M-type Expander and look for a links to ps-2.kev009.com.:cool:
 
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I just checked on the Lee web page and the 9 mm Luger die is full length sizing. I went to the bench and had three cases sitting on the bench. One is a Hornady nickel, one is a brass Blazer, and one is a brass CBC. I put them in the press and stroked it two time for each case. Then put the mic to each of them. They all showed .372 at the neck and .389 at the base. They were range pickups so probably shot out of different guns. My die has a full length carbide insert pressed into the die. So it is a full size die and not just a neck die like some suggest. Maybe they did in the old days but not now.
 
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