Lyman M die question

[Steve in TN]

Fellows, I'm thinking about ordering a Lyman M die to start loading cast boolits in 30/30 and 30/06. Can I use 30/30 M die for 30/06 or do I need to order a die for each. Also the same question for 7.62x39 and 303. Thanks, steve

[LarryM]

I've used the long/wrong "M" die for .30-30 but I really have to run it out to its extreme but it will work. unless your a serious tightwad like me then I'd recommend getting the correct dies for each length cartridge.

[Johnch]

30/30 and 7.62 x 39 for the short one
30/06 and 303 for the long one

John

[Nueces]

I'm another serious fan of Lyman M-dies. One of their advantages is that custom stems can be made on a small lathe, like for 0.460 boolits. Just today, though, I found that Buffalo Arms sells custom stems also, for $18. I could just be the last to know this, but here is a link:

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/2,180.html

Mark

[1hole]

I've used the M die for .30 carbine for all thirty calibers for years, works fine. You will, of course, have to readjust the die and expander plug for the different lengths.

[grumpy one]

I used to use a single M2 (i.e. long-style) die for both 30-30 and 30-06. I did this simply by making a second lock-ring of width exactly equal to the difference in case length between 30-30 and 30-06. I screwed the extra ring on for 30-06, and removed it for 30-30 - no actual adjustment was required to change between the two calibres.

It worked well, but it had to be set up so that when the extra lock-ring was installed (for 30-06) I didn't quite get full thread engagement in the press - pretty close, though.