Problem? flaring 9mm cases

[max503]

I've been reloading for years, and I just started reloading 9mm.
I shoot cast bullets so the case mouths get flared.
So --- the case goes into the die and gets flared. At this point it takes a good nudge on the handle to lower the ram and retract the case from the die.
Is this normal?
Lubing the inside of the case mouths with Hornady One Shot lube got rid of the problem but then I had to clean that stuff off. I'd rather not add those steps to the process.
Would it help if I polished the button in the die that does the actual flaring?
I use Lee carbide dies on a single-stage press.

Thoughts?

 

[Rule3]

Yes there is a little "tug" when resizing and flaring. I lube my brass also with light spritz of water based lube and do not wipe it off. Super surgical clean brass will have more tension when sizing and flaring.

9mm brass has a slight taper to it. Flare just enough to get the bullet to start.

 

[reddog81]

I usually try to spray a bit Hornady One Shot into the case mouth when spraying the exterior. I do this even when using a carbide sizer. The Lube helps make sizing and flaring a bit easier. I use a small enough amount that I don’t worry about removing it.

I have replaced most of my Lee pass through expanders that float in the die because they often require a tug to get the case to drop free. I use a Lyman expander for 9mm.

 

[growr]

I've used Hornady One shot since it first came out and never have I cleaned the casing after sizing.....that is a huge part of it's appeal!

Randy

 

[Jellybean]

That is typical for Lee dies with the powder through expander. If you aren't dropping powder though the die open it up and drop in some nuts, washers, bushings or etc. that will keep the expander from moving and still allow the die to be reassembled. This makes them work a lot smoother.

 

[WR Moore]

I've never used Lee dies. The Lyman M type expander and the now similar (patent expired) RCBS dies* don't need any substantial or noticeable effort to expand the case. I suspect that you may be over sizing the case or the expander ball isn't designed/adjusted properly.

OK, the post above indicates the Lee die is a powder dispensing die. If that's the case you're probably experiencing the "bump" from the powder drop function. BUT, you still might not have the die adjusted properly.

I do believe that reddog81 has the right idea. Sometimes, you're not just paying for a name and like NAPA implies in their ads, "parts ain't necessarily parts".

* The expander ball has a slight step at the top that allows a very slight flare at the case mouth to help with bullet seating. Usually a flare about 1/32 in deep is sufficient.

 

[mikld]

I have reloaded many thousands of rounds with my Lee dies and the Powder Through Expanding die. Yep the stem does stick and it feels "rough" when removing it from the case. The "shudder" seems to be more prevalent on some cases than others and my 44 Magnum comes to mind. It is rumored that Lee designed this to give the die a little more "vibration/shaking" to make sure no powder sticks in the drop tube/expander. I have used a nylon bolt cut to length to keep the sleeve from moving, but for me at least, the shudder when lowering the handle of my press(es) is no big deal, I don't even notice it anymore...

 

[Nevada Ed]

I check the case expander now and then to make sure there is no crud or build up that might hamper belling.

Clean is a good thing...........
proper setting for the die, is another.

With the proper shell holder, you should be good to go.
I once had a 38 spl. that was a tad loose !!

Good luck.

 

[dswancutt]

I had this problem when loading 9mm on my Hornady AP. You need to back the flaring die back just a bit.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Cases that are not "Bright & Clean as New" on the inside, have a "carbon" residue on the inside of the case. If you have cases with that residue inside and they still cause problems, regardless of die brand, you are not adjusted/set up correctly!

Ivan

 

[andy52]

Lee dies are meant to hang slightly on case removal, the idea is that if your using a progressive loader the slight jar causes the powder to fall better.

 

[Kiwi cop]

Cases that are not "Bright & Clean as New" on the inside, have a "carbon" residue on the inside of the case. If you have cases with that residue inside and they still cause problems, regardless of die brand, you are not adjusted/set up correctly!

Ivan

I use Lee dies and the problem is worse with new cases. It can cause the powder to “jump” from the case and spill out. Two or three pumps of case lube in a container of 200 or so cases then shake and the problem is gone.

 

[H Richard]

I load on a Dillon 550B using RCBS carbide (sizer) dies. I have never noticed any difficulties, and I don't lube the brass, just loaded 100 rounds yesterday.

 

[SMSgt]

I load on a Dillon 550B using RCBS carbide (sizer) dies. I have never noticed any difficulties, and I don't lube the brass, just loaded 100 rounds yesterday.

Ditto, except for the press.

 

[max503]

Thanks. I'll fiddle with the adjustment and maybe get some spray One Shot. I've got the wax-type you have to apply with your fingers or a q-tip, etc.

 

[trapper9260]

I use Lyman M die and RCBS and Hornady expander and do not lube the expander to flare the case.I do load 9mm with cast and have no problems .Like stated you do not need much of a flare on the mouth just enough to have the boolit to start to go in the case with out shave.

 

[Univibe]

I use RCBS carbide dies on all handguns, and never bother with lube. And I flare all revolver and semi cases for hardcast bullets. Never an ussue.

 

[Forrest r]

lee dies aren't made for cast bullets. the lee expanders are extremely short with a wide taper. That wide taper means there isn't much adjustment in them. They go from flaring for the .355" jacketed bullets to sticking in a hurry when expanding for the .356"/.357" cast bullets.

A lee factory expander next to a lyman m-die.

If you look at the lee expander you can see a high water mark/brass ring where the mouth of the cases reached when flaring. The m-die is made for cast bullets and has a step in the top of it that makes a small shelf that the bullet sits on and starts strait when seated.

The custom expander pictured above next to the unused lee factory expander I made. It also has a step built into it.

You'd be better of using a lee expander made for the 38s&w or buying a expander ball from neo bullet molds. NEO expanders are excellent quality, extremely cheap and use the lee universal expanding tool as a die body. Hence buy the lee tool and the expanders can easily be changed out for any and every caliber you reload cast bullets for.
.357 x .353 (P) Exp. Plug Auto Pistol, NOE Bullet Moulds

 

[Hasbeen1945]

RCBS dies in the gray box have the Lyman M type expander. I also use Redding dies and you can feel the difference. Redding also has a new improved expander that is coated. It’s around 50 bucks. Have not tried it yet. Reloading is about saving money , that’s what I tell my wife. ��

 

[fredj338]

I load on a Dillon 550B using RCBS carbide (sizer) dies. I have never noticed any difficulties, and I don't lube the brass, just loaded 100 rounds yesterday.

The carbide sizer has nothing to do with the case flaring. If you use new brass or wet cleaned, they are sticky. I dry tumble, zero issues with case sticking during powder thru flaring.
Remove the expander & polish it mirror brite, it helps but sqeaky clean brass is the problem.