M die is real deal!

[adam_mac84]

I have been fighting with my 9mm cast loads a bit. size issues, shaving etc. Have worked some things out, but my consistency is not there without shaving boolits.

So, i sprung on Amazon for the Lyman M die. What a difference maker!!! No shaving, no swaging of the boolit size i'd prefer vs what works with my Lee stuff.

Only problem now is the lack of space on my 4 place turret (no powder through on Lyman). I am thinking I will just eliminate sizing/depriming and do that bulk ahead of time. May have to go buy a cheapo single stage now

[SARuger]

I have the Lyman M dies for all of my calibers that I load cast for. The M dies are to flaring as the Lee FCD is to crimping!

[TexasGrunt]

The Lee FCD is a crutch. The Lyman M die is gold.

[Tom W.]

RCBS now puts an m die in their new sets. And they will send you a new plug for your older die for the asking.

[John Boy]

With all the calibers I reload and many different base diameters for for a given caliber ...and had to buy a M die for each ... I'd have to come out of retirement and get a job. I buy a fist full of compression plugs from TOTW - turn the custom sizes down on the lathe for $3 each

[Iowa Fox]

With all the calibers I reload and many different base diameters for for a given caliber ...and had to buy a M die for each ... I'd have to come out of retirement and get a job. I buy a fist full of compression plugs from TOTW - turn the custom sizes down on the lathe for $3 each

John Boy, From one old retired guy to another there are only three M die bodies Std & Long, and the Hornet uses a separate body or at least they did way back when I got mine. The great part is Lyman sells the expanders separately for not much money and their shipping is reasonable. Due to that fact and over the years I have one for everything I own. There is a chart with dimensions as a sticky on one of the sub forums here, both rifle & pistol.

Making your own custom sizes is even better.

I quit using the decapper with expander ball in the dies for bottle neck cases years ago. I don't care how well or with what you lube the inside of case necks with, all that expander ball does is stretch brass and pull the necks crooked. I proved that to myself with my concentrity gage. Run out with jacketed bullets using a Lyman M Die is superb, but lube the expander and inside of the necks well. It is an extra step but very much woth it. I can't afford bushing dies for everything I shoot but the M die is the next best thing.

[adam_mac84]

The Lee FCD is a crutch. The Lyman M die is gold. . I am working on being able to de-belling the case with my seating die, and still fit the chamber (which is fairly tight). So far FCD has given me most control under my de-belling. I don't apply 'crimp' so to say... just smooth it out ill it plunks

[DerekP Houston]

.... ok might be I'll finally order my M die for 9mm cast rounds. Another glowing review here it seems.

[Andy]

I had a lot of trouble getting cast bullets to work right, until I started using an M die with every cartridge I reloaded, now everything works like it should

[fatelvis]

I'm a huge fan of the M-die also. That being said, I would love to see properly sized "powder-through" versions for cast boolits offered to us lead heads.

[TexasGrunt]

I'm a huge fan of the M-die also. That being said, I would love to see properly sized "powder-through" versions for cast boolits offered to us lead heads.

That's the truth right there. I'm surprised that someone like NOE hasn't jumped on that. I'd gladly pay $20-$25 for a PTX that actually worked with cast boolits.

[Garyshome]

So what were you using before "M"

[Andy]

I think NOE does offer a few, but the last time I looked there were only a few sizes listed and most of them were out of stock. I think they were for the lee PTE dies.

[fatelvis]

After using Lyman's and RCBS's for years, I use NOE's solid M-type exclusively now. I love the ability to choose EXACTLY the amount of boolit pull to impart, and at a reasonable price. Myself and a few others have been bugging NOE to put out powder through versions, but they are a very busy shop. Thank God for NOE!