Resurrected 8mm M die thread

[Shiloh]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?59639-Lyman-8mm-quot-M-quot-Die-size&p=632380&viewfull=1#post632380

Last week, I sent an email to Lyman asking the diameters of the expander mandrel for the 8mm M die.
Nothing.
Lyman is frustrating as heck.

Anyone have the diameters of the M die expander for a .325 boolit??
I am getting the long die. From the old thread, the size of .319 seems to small. What say you guys??
I am thinking I would need at least .321 as the initial size, maybe .322. Probably .328 for the flair. .319 seems like it would size the boils down.

Shiloh

[EDG]

Try this thread or copy and paste for future use

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?4351-Lyman-M-Die-Measurements-Needed

[Shiloh]

Thank You.

Thats what I needed. I'll probably have Buckshot turn me a custom size expander mandrel.

Shiloh

[HangFireW8]

OK so you found the answer. Off the top of my head, I already knew... "too small".

With the Lyman, the 31 expander is almost large enough for .309-.310" cast boolits... Almost, meaning not large enough.

NOE's Lee-style expanders get it right with a nice selection around the 30 calibers, but still wrong for most other calibers.

I'll say it again, cast shooters are not well served by the dimensions of off the shelf reloading equipment.

[Shiloh]

Correct^^^

I have had machinists tweak molds or make or alter parts. A email is being drafted to one of teh board machinists.
Once one gets what they need and properly tuned cast boolits can deliver superb accuracy. My rifles are military relics. I have seen hunting and rifles specifically set up for cast deliver sub 1" groups.
The latest being a .222. Now it's my turn.

SHiloh

[EDG]

I thought I had a Lyman 32R M die plug. It turns out that I did though I found it by accident.

The main plug diameter is .320 and the short flare step is .3235. This is not so good for the 8X57 with .325 bullets.