Can you use the short rifle powder through die for 9mm?

[3006mv]

Lee says there is no universal powder through die for pistol. I am having an issue with the powder drum on the 9mm powder through expanding die in that it expands the case mouth way too much and on top of that the powder drum does not make a complete rotation enough to drop enough or consistent powder in the case. Is it because the 9mm is such a short case that the short rifle powder through die won’t work on it? I have the Lee Pro 6000 so I’ll have an extra spot for it. Thanks in advance

[Dan Cash]

Lee; still seems to be a project.

[jdgabbard]

So, no, you can't use the short rifle charging die. I know, I've tried....

Lee did make a universal charging die at one point that could do pistol, or rifle charging. I have used it with 9mm in the past. The problem is, it's no longer made. I have one, and I've been looking to buy a second one for several years. It had 2-3 brass spacers that went inside. Depending on which two you used you could do basically any cartridge - even .380acp. But again, I haven't seen another in years. So good luck finding one.

For now, I'm using the 9mm Powder Through Expander die. It works, and I have not had any issues with it. Matter of fact mine actually charges before it expands the neck. It expands in the last 1/2" of stroke on the press handle.

I still have my other powder through die, but I'm using it with a different die set, so this is the best I've come up with. I've also found that nearly all die sets need a powder charging die riser....

[3006mv]

Thanks good to know. Do you think I can use a 380 expander or something inside the 9mm die body?

[leadhead]

Do you know that Lee now makes the powder thru dies with the Lyman M die insert?
I just bought them for the .45 ACP and 9mm. They work great.

[3006mv]

Yes I got the 9mm don’t know if that’s the issue. I got the old NOE replacements before they stopped making them

[deltaenterprizes]

Check to see if the rubber O ring is still there or if you have 2 of them installed.
I had a problem like that and it was the O ring.

[44magLeo]

I don't load on a progressive or turret press, so I don't know how they work. So on saying this I don't powder charge through the expander die on the press. On a regular press if the expander die is over expanding a case, I adjust the die up so as to expand the amount I want.
From what I understand on charging through the expander die, as the case comes up it pushes up on the expander to charge the case and expand the mouth. So if you are over expanding the mouth, just adjust the die up higher so it expands the amount you want. Will this also change the operation on the powder charging?
It seems like if the die is adjusted up it would lift the expander up higher so the powder measure would activate sooner and you would get a proper charge.

[poppy42]

Honestly I have no idea what’s going on. I wish I had an answer or a solution to your problem. My personal experience is that I’ve been loading 9 mm for about 10 years now all I use is Lee dies, Lee auto desk, this is mounted on a Lee turret press. I have never had not s single issue! I would say either there’s an issue with the dice that you were using or somethings not set up properly. And unfortunately without actually seeing it I have no answers to your problems. Maybe give Lee a call. I had an issue loading 556 and using their powder through die for rifles and I got on the phone and talk to a technician and we were on the phone close to an hour. He worked with me and it turned out that was it an issue with the die. Lee just sent me another one. I’ve called Lee several times and I’ve always been very helpful but I emphasize call don’t send an email! There’s a woman that works in customer service and she’s been there forever her name is Brenda. If she can’t handle your issue she get somebody on the phone with Can. Good luck I hope you get it figured out

[Rickf1985]

Interesting that Brenda's last name is Lee. She has turned me down on a warranty on a brand new Lee progressive press. I sent her a copy of the warranty and also pics of what was happening and I told her it is not worth fighting over but if she wanted to deny a warranty that is obviously covered I would paste it all over the gun forums. I got my coverage and have never dealt with them again. It is a shame because some of Lee's products are quite helpful and well made.

[deces]

Lee makes the pistol charging dies caliber specific. If you want to use Lee's universal charging dies for 9mm, I think you will need to enlist the help of NOE.
327006

[Moleman-]

I didn't like the old Lee drum measure so I haven't got their newer style one. Their pro auto disc measure is fantastic though. If your through expander sleeve is belling the case is it the short section acting like a M die or the bevel at the top which usually means the measure travel has stopped the die sleeve and the only thing that can move is the case which gets belled. If it's the short section that fits inside of the case expanding your cases, it can be sanded/filed down lightly by spinning it in a drill.

[Green Frog]

I’ve come to really like the Lyman combination through the die system. It comes with a variety of M-type inserts that are of course hollow to allow the powder to pass through, and if the set doesn’t have exactly the size you need, they also sell other size inserts to add on. I also like the fact that the top is threaded 7/8X14 so I can use my Little Dandy or the (lamentably discontinued) Lyman Accumeasure with appropriate rotor to drop consistent volumes of powder. One stays set up for 32 pistol rounds on my All American press, and I have a second set for backup.
This thread is on the verge of outside the thrust of “Hand” tools, but I sometimes use this die on a press and then seat and crimp the bullets with a 310 Tool... stay on topic!
Froggie