Lyman M die replaces Belling die?

[1longshot]

Can anyone tell me if I still need to use the bell die before using the Lyman M die when prepping cases?

[GARD72977]

no just on or the other. M die is better because when you bell the neck you end up with lost cases more often

[Hank10]

The M die is a bell die. If your die set came with a bell die,as all straight wall case dies do, you don't need an M die unless the size of the M die is more to your liking. With Lyman dies, the bell die is an M die. Hank10

[Doc Highwall]

Actually the Lyman M-Die is a neck expander and a belling die at the same time. When you just use a belling die you only allow the base of the bullet to enter the case mouth, and it does nothing for the amount of grip that the case neck has on the bullet. When you do not control the case neck tension you add another variable to bullet release/start pressure.

The M-Die allows you to control this and you can even change the tension by polishing it.

I make my own with the larger part being .001"-.002" larger then the bullet size, and the smaller part .001"-.002" smaller then the bullet size.

[JesterGrin_1]

[QUOTE=Doc Highwall;I make my own with the larger part being .001"-.002" larger then the bullet size, and the smaller part .001"-.002" smaller then the bullet size.[/QUOTE]

A Tutorial on how you do this would be Grand.

[Doc Highwall]

I cheat, I have a lathe and Bridgport milling machine. For 30 caliber you can buy a M-Die for the 303 British or 7.62x54 and chuck it in a hand drill and useing a file and sand paper make it the size you want.

RCBS will make you a custom size for their dies also, but I like the M-Die design better.

[Wayne Smith]

You can cheat too. Just PM Buckshot and he will make exactly what you need.

[357Ruger]

You can cheat too. Just PM Buckshot and he will make exactly what you need.

Who is Buckshot and is he up for the business?

Thanks, Scott.