Dillon handgun expander dies and m die dimensions

[lightload]

My question is do Square Deal B and 550 expander dies in handgun calibers have M die dimensions? If not, are these die sets likely to size down cast boolits? Asked another way, do these dies work ok for loading cast boolit ammo without being concerned with, say, reducing a .359 boolit to a smaller diameter--which might then cause leading?

[dudel]

There is nothing magic about the M dies. The M does not stand for "Magic" (maybe "Marketing"). The M die just makes a stepped opening in the case mouth instead of a flare. The more oversized your boolit, the more likely it is to get swaged using standard dies. If your need for oversized boolits is beyond what can be handled with standard dies, then you will also need a custom sizing die along with a custom M die.

For me, and my boolits, the standard Dillon powder funnels work great.

[OS OK]

Try a Lee universal expanding die with an aftermarket NOE expander inside the Lee die. Yes…cases expanded with typical die sets made for the j-type projectiles can size down your carefully made oversized lead boolits. If you suspect this then take one of your loaded rounds apart and measure the boolit.
RCBS makes die sets for Cowboy shooting enthusiasts and these have larger diameter expanders. That little bell at the top is necessary also.
If you use the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die…you will be certain to ruin that cast oversize boolit too.

OS OK
Universal Case Expanding Die (http://leeprecision.com/universal-case-expanding-die.html) … LEE
Expander Plug (Rifle) (http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=88) … NOE
Expander Plug (Pistol) (http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=89) … NOE

Lyman M dies are made/sized for J-type bullets.

[runfiverun]

here is what I do.
load some ammo and try it.
if it works cool.
if not then I measure stuff and look for the solution.
I load almost everything on a Dillon and haven't had to buy an aftermarket expander yet.

[gnostic]

Do you load 9mm and can I swap my 38/357 expander for the .356 expander that came with my 9mm set-up from Dillon?

[vernm]

Using an M die or oversize cowboy expander is not a good solution when loading on a Dillon 550.

I load 9mm on a Dillon and need a .358 bullet for my .3572 barrel. I had a friend make a new powder funnel
the correct diameter (.002-.003" under bullet diameter). Also made the "nipple" a little longer to make sure the case was expanded deep enough to not squeeze the bottom of the bullet. I think Dillon will make a custom powder die for you. Before you spend money, cast a few with #2 or harder alloy or water quench wheel weights. Seat the bullet and crimp. Then pull the bullet and see if they are still full diameter. You may not have a problem with harder alloy.

[r1kk1]

here is what I do.
load some ammo and try it.
if it works cool.
if not then I measure stuff and look for the solution.
I load almost everything on a Dillon and haven't had to buy an aftermarket expander yet.

+1

r1kk1

[lightload]

Thank you for your experience based and well thought out replies.

[r1kk1]

Lyman M dies are made/sized for J-type bullets.

Actually they work for both cast or jacketed.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/dies/pdf/dieInstructions.pdf

i do wish Swede made plugs for 50 cal rifle and Linebaugh pistol.

take care

r1kk1

[LUBEDUDE]

I load .359 without issue on my 550 and 1050 using stock Dillon powder funnels.

[runfiverun]

I just done a run of over 9,000 9mm rounds.
you can swap the funnels from the 38 to the 9m.
I'm using a spare 9m funnel to load some 40 S&W's for my SIL.

I don't use the Dillon size/deprime die for cast
I am using a Hornady carbide one for the 40's and a LEE for the 9's [along with the Dillon seat and crimp dies]

[OS OK]

Actually they work for both cast or jacketed.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/dies/pdf/dieInstructions.pdf

i do wish Swede made plugs for 50 cal rifle and Linebaugh pistol.

take care

r1kk1

That little flair and bell at the top only prevents shaving the lead. The rest of the neck is still only expanded enough to hold a J-type properly and will squeeze down an oversized boolit. That is what we are talking about here.
Sure, you can cast at 16 BHN and harder and not be affected as much if at all…I prefer softer PC'd alloy and try to handle it with some care.

OS OK

PS…don't use a Dillon press…and did not mean to imply in any way, 'how to' on this press.
Just talking 'expansion'.

[imashooter2]

I've loaded many thousands of .360 diameter boolits on my SDB without issue. You should be fine.