Lathesmiths dillon custom powder funnels

[mto7464]

I am in the process of having Lathesmith make me a custom powder funnel. I am loading heavy 9mm boolits from 135 to 147. I size at around .357. Has anyone had a funnel made?? We are thinking making it to .354 and also .250 in depth. Can anyone give me any feedback on what they have done?

[Greg S]

I've been using an RCBS 38/357 Cowboy expander after the standard 9mm expander on a single stage as an experiment with a MiHec 359-147 Z GC mold. No problems so far with boolits size .357/8. Looking at ordering a Dillon 38/357 powder funnel to use with my 9mm tool head after i get back home and measure the diameter. If it is 354 I was going to do the same and either make one or have lathesmith make me one.

[mto7464]

I mentioned on another site getting a 38/357 funnel but was told it would not work as it is too short, or something like that. So Iam having one made, besides its cheaper.
What is the measurement of the cowboy expander?

[jsizemore]

Chris made me one for 9mm. Expander measures .3560 x .250. I size my Hi-Tek coated bullets to .3578 or .3585. Pulled bullets measure .3575. Alloy is COWW + 2% pewter/tin. I usually wait 2 weeks before I load after cast, coat and size.

[pastera]

Made my own on my 7x lathe for a modified Lee 356-120TC mold (removed lube groove and opened to drop @ ~.358)

The length should be determined by your seating depth - radius at the end should fall at the same depth in the case as the base of the bullet when seated (a little further for flat base bullets).

Seating depth = (bullet length + case length) - COAL
(Bullet diameter + 0.005") X 0.020" deep for the flare section
Bullet diameter remainder with ~.010" radius at the end.

[mto7464]

Chris made me one for 9mm. Expander measures .3560 x .250. I size my Hi-Tek coated bullets to .3578 or .3585. Pulled bullets measure .3575. Alloy is COWW + 2% pewter/tin. I usually wait 2 weeks before I load after cast, coat and size.

what bullet are you using?

[fredj338]

I do fine with the funnel from MBF in all calibers.

[jsizemore]

what bullet are you using?

NOE HTC356-135-AH2, Accurate 35-115Y, Accurate 36-125D and a couple H&G molds. I used the published starting loads for that weight bullet for what ever powder I'm using which is around 25K psi. That pressure and bullet alloy brinell hardness seem to work well together. The Accurate 36-125D bullet is actually for 38 special/357 mag and has a crimp groove. Still works in the 9mm.

[mto7464]

NOE HTC356-135-AH2, Accurate 35-115Y, Accurate 36-125D and a couple H&G molds. I used the published starting loads for that weight bullet for what ever powder I'm using which is around 25K psi. That pressure and bullet alloy brinell hardness seem to work well together. The Accurate 36-125D bullet is actually for 38 special/357 mag and has a crimp groove. Still works in the 9mm.

does your depth include the flare portion? or is it .250 and what ever the flare is? Your bullet design is real close to what I plan on shooting.

[Burnt Fingers]

http://www.uniquetek.com/product/T1582

No need to reinvent the wheel. I use this funnel and it works awesome, even with .358 boolits.

[Petrol & Powder]

I have not had one made for 9mm but Lathesmith made a couple of 38 Special Dillon powder funnels for me and they are AWESOME !

They are absolute game changers and I highly recommend them.

I like to incorporate the Lyman "M" die style "step" when using lead bullets as I feel that is superior to a simple flare on the case mouth when loading un-jacketed bullets. Lathesmith can do that for you as part of the package.

I also have a uniquetek powder funnel for 45 ACP and it works fine for my particular load but I wouldn't hesitate to go to Lathesmith for a Dillon powder funnel.

[sigep1764]

When Lathesmith made my funnel, I had him make .358 with an M step to flare a bit. Brass springs back a little for neck tension. Haven't had any set back in 10's of thousands of rounds. It works beautifully with .358 boolits that weigh 150 grains or so.

[jsizemore]

does your depth include the flare portion? or is it .250 and what ever the flare is? Your bullet design is real close to what I plan on shooting.

Depth doesn't include the flare. The part that's .356 is .210 long and the rounded portion at the tip is .040 long for a total of .250 from the end to where the flare starts. I hope that makes sense. I found the taper inside the case varies and didn't want the expander portion too long so I could flare enough for flat base bullets and not push the case wall out where the taper starts and have chambering problems. It started life a little longer but I shortened it a little to not get into that case taper. Case mouth crimp is set at .378.

[mto7464]

Depth doesn't include the flare. The part that's .356 is .210 long and the rounded portion at the tip is .040 long for a total of .250 from the end to where the flare starts. I hope that makes sense. I found the taper inside the case varies and didn't want the expander portion too long so I could flare enough for flat base bullets and not push the case wall out where the taper starts and have chambering problems. It started life a little longer but I shortened it a little to not get into that case taper. Case mouth crimp is set at .378.

Just what I asked him to do. Thanks for the advice.

[jsizemore]

Chris is the man.