LEE M Style Expander Plug

[fordson]

FYI : For those interested, LEE has a new M style expander plug (apparently similar to Lyman’s M expander). You can buy just the expansion stem for $5-$6.00. Flat shipping rate of $7.00, regardless of order size and no tax. Below is the link to the cartridges that currently have the M style expander. I just placed an order for several. I am not associated with LEE. Just passing info to loaders.

https://support.leeprecision.net/en...b0830c0cc5b777bd6fe7da945f5/preview?size=full

 

[6string]

This is good to know. Thanks.

Lee will do a lot of different types of custom work. The prices are pretty good, too! They’ll make custom expander plugs to your specified diameter.
If you’re a bullet caster, you can order custom made bullet sizing kits. Any sized bullet diameter you want for $50!
Want a .456” sizing die for your S&W .455 Second model Hand Ejector? No problem!
Got a .44 Mag with .433” cylinder throats? Again, no problem!

Not bad at all!

 

[mikerjf]

What does an M-style expander do? Asking for a friend…

 

[ACORN]

My understanding is that it expands the mouth of the case slightly oversized to start and seat cast bullets so as not to shave the base.

 

[fordson]

From what I’ve read, it expands the case mouth without flaring it for all bullets: cast, jacketed or plated.

 

[Funflyer]

The "M" type expanders have two steps which help soft non-jacketed bullets seat straight and also prevent swaging. Lower step expands the case down the length of a bullet while the upper expands a few thou larger so the bullet can be placed easily into the case mouth. The problem with Lee is that some have a terrible finish and shave brass from the case. I've had to polish more than a few to correct this which typically makes the expander undersized and defeats its purpose. If you want to avoid the aggravation of getting a poor one from Lee I suggest you spend a few bucks more and buy NOE expanders which fit in the Lee universal expander die. You'll thank me later.

Expander Plug (Pistol) | NOE Bullet Moulds

 

[leadhead2]

I've bought 2 of them from Lee .45acp and 9mm, and they work great.

 

[glenwolde]

I've been using them for six months and like them. I wish they were caliber marked. The only way you can figure out what they are for is by length.

 

[leadhead2]

Mark them with a felt tiped marker on the side.
Works for me.

 

[GypsmJim]

The dozen or so handgun calibers I load with Lee dies all come with expanders. ALL of my loads use home-cast lead boolits. I have no issues with shaving lead.


I would ask what this new part does that isn't already done.