First attempt at using 308 Win Lyman M Die - FAIL

[fremont]

I'm loading RCBS 150 FNGC (sized .310") for a 308 Win BLR. Because of tight chamber issues, I always use a RCBS Small Base X-Die for sizing. I then trim .020" under max for 1.995" case OAL. My problem is I can't expand the mouth enough to easily seat the bullet. I've run out of travel on the expander plug.

The die body lightly touches shellholder per instructions.

Advice? Many thanks. :veryconfu

[EDG]

Lyman makes a longer stem for the plug and shorter body for shorter rounds.

Do you know which combo you have?

You can cut the base of the die off if it is close to working. If not you need a shorter body and or a longer stem.

With the wrong combo of die components you can also get the opposite condition.
The case will be too long unless you back the die way way up in the press threads.

[Artful]

What does your box show for product
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/dies/RifleNeckExpDies.php



30-06 (7.62 x 63mm), 308 Win, 307 Win
7349002



You could try taking the nut off the expander and threading it deeper.

What does it say on the top of the adjustable expander?
compare to these
http://ps-2.kev009.com/ohlandl/Cast_Bullet/Lyman_M-Dies/Lyman_M-Die_Plugs.html


Lyman M die bodies M1 on left, M2 on right. The threaded portion of the dies are the same

M1 - OAL 2.872, knurl length .931 (C.F.Plinker - 2-7/8" long for cases 1.3" to 2.25")
M2 - OAL 3.347, knurl length 1.380 (CFP - 3.34" long for cases @ 2.0" to 2.95" long)

CFP - Either body works from 2 to 2.25 inches . Example: .308, 30-30, and 303 Savage.

Lyman M die stems, threaded portion is same
Long stem - 2.627 OAL (extension .858") Pistol and revolver cartridges
Short stem - 1.754 OAL Rifle cartridges.

Lyman M die Rifle expanding plugs
Plug 1st 2nd Bullet dia
22R .222 .225 .222 .226 P/N 7129055 (22R Short)
24R .242 .246 .243 .244
25R .255 .259 .256 .257
26R .262 .266 .263 .265 P/N 7129059
27R .276 .280 .277 .279
28R .282 .286 .283 .285
30R .307 .311 .308 .310 P/N 7129101
31R .310 .314 .311 .313 P/N 7129064 (31R Short)
31AR .318 .322 .319 .321
32R .320 .324 .321 .323 P/N 7129065
33R .337 .341 .338 .340
35R .357 .361 .358 .360
37R .374 .378 .375 .377
41R .407 .412 .408 .411 (40-65, thanx to EDG)
43R unknown, (reported by Guesser)
45R .455 .459 .456 .458 P/N 7129078
50R (50-70)

Lyman M die Pistol expanding plugs
Plug 1st 2nd Bullet dias
25AP .249 .253 .251 --
30P .307 .311 .308 .310
32AP .310 .314 .311 .313
32P .313 .317 .314 .316
38AP .353 .357 .354 .356 P/N 7129050
38P .356 .360 .357 .359
10MM .398 .402 .399 .401
10MM .408 .412 .409 .411 (typo???)
41P (41 Rem Mag) (useable w/40-65)
44MP .427 .431 .428 .430
45AP .450 .454 .451 .453 P/N 7129051
45P .453 .457 .454 .456

check this link
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?243728-Lyman-M-die-Expanding-plug-part-numbers

[fremont]

First off, thanks--very helpful. It is the 30-06/307 Win/308 Win M-die. Expander is 30R. I'll remove the nut, and, if that doesn't work, maybe order that 30P (pistol) longer expander plug?

[fremont]

Took the nut off (down to last one or two threads!) and it worked. Probably will call Lyman and see if I can get the 30P.

[brassrat]

Figure out what you need because they don't seem to be too familiar with reloading or M dies, just take orders. That was my experience a couple yrs back.

[Fishman]

May just want to get the m1 die body so you have it for other calibers you may wish to load. That is the body I use for 30/30 for example.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Just a suggestion, but NOE sells Lyman M-die style expander plugs for the Lee Universal expanding die. My experience so far has been a higher level of satisfaction with the Lee/NOE combination product for less money than with the Lyman and when you call NOE or Lee, you get someone who knows the product on the phone. NOE also sells the Lee Universal expanding dies on their website very reasonably, so you can order both at the same time.

All that said, the information Artful posted above is very, very helpful when selecting what you need and ordering it, including from NOE, who references the Lyman numbers.

[Motor]

It's not the expander it's the die body. You need the short die body. If you are using. 310" boolits you may want to try the "31" expander too.

Motor

[Sam Casey]

Brings back memories of my early Belgium BLR 308. Nice gun in many respects, but always a problem when it came to reloading. My recollection is that it was oversized in all respects and empties were expanded and stretched so badly that they were beyond abilities of dies and press I had at the time.

[popper]

Use the short body for 308, long for 06,30/30.