Expander die for 38/56

[Bear Tooth Billy]

I got a 1886 Winchester in 38/56 a while back. I finally got some brass from Buffalo Arms, and got a 2 die set
from Lee. I have some flat based boolits at.379". After sizing the inside of the brass is .375". I have an old set
of 38 colt dies that I managed to flare the necks with to get the boolet to go in, but it's not very precision. Lyman
makes a 38/55 expander, but with the 38/56 being a bottleneck that probably won't work? Any suggestions
Thanks BTB

[stubert]

Lee universal expander die

[country gent]

I would have a new expander made at .378 and long enough to expand the full neck length ( my set of lee 38-55 die sets expander is on the short side. If its a powder thru expander a tapered punch and light taps with a ball peen ammer from the working end and checking with michrometers may open it up to 378. If you goe to far you may be able to chuck it in a drill press and polish it down to size. I think Trac of the wolf sells expanders for lee dies also.The tapered shank of a center punch or a drift punch that fits in the hole can be used to expand it the trick is light blows and checking often

[John Boy]

Track of the Wolf expander plugs with the Lee Expansion Die ... http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/1221/1
Lee Universal Expander plugs are for flaring the bell on cases only!

[Djones]

This is what I use for 38-55 and 375 win. Works well with my 0.380" Boolits. It should work with bottleneck cartridges. I use similar design for 32 win, 35 Rem and 358 win.

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=88&products_id=1123

good luck,

David

[Clay M]

I use Buffalo arms or CH4D

http://www.ch4d.com/products/dies

I prefer tapered expander plugs.

The key is to seat the bullet with the least amount of damage to the brass or bullet.

[.36navy]

Do you guys shoot smokeless or blackpowder in your .38-56 rifles?
I am currently using the lee universal expander which will get the job done, but i didn't know of the other options out there until now.