Source of "M" Dies

[jjohnson]

Hi, Gents!

I need to buy "M" dies - for 7mm, .30, and 8mm.

Does anybody keep those in stock other than Midway? I haven't been all that happy with them, to be honest, and I'd be happy to send a couple bucks elsewhere, but in my usual search at places like Graf's, seems like nobody's in stock.

Also - it looks like there's a couple brands out there - any real advantage of one over the other? I'm getting that classic "shaving" when I try to seat cast bullets, so it looks like the "M" die is the first thing to try - right?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[1hole]

The "M" is the original and it's great for both cast AND jacketed bullets.

The only alternative that I know of is Redding's handgun dies, since Lyman's patents expired they have copied the M.

[oneokie]

CH-4D makes them.

[JRW]

Might try buffalo arms co. up in Id.

[oso]

Lock Stock & Barrel, http://www.lockstock.com

[mtnman31]

Call Lyman. I have ordered a couple dies directly from them. There are really only two different dies - a long one and short one. Two die bodies and two of the threaded rods that the buttons screw onto are all you need. After that you just get the appropriate size of button for the caliber you need. The buttons or plugs that screw onto the end of the threaded rod are all you need to order from Lyman. It saves you a bunch of money over buying the whole die. Their customer service was very helpful to me when I ordered. While you are on the phone with them order some of the orange mold storage boxes. I got a ten pack and saved a few bucks.

If you have access to a lathe you can make the buttons for the M dies as well. I made the one I use for 9mm Makarov. It took two tries because I made it just bit too small the first time. But I ended up with one that works great for jacketed and the other I use with cast.

[GabbyM]

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

http://www.grafs.com/index.php

http://www.buffaloarms.com/

Those are three of the places I shop at besides Midway. Which I also use.

[GBertolet]

RCBS makes one. You buy the body and you can put what ever plug diameter in it you want. You can get most calibers in one thousand increments. I got mine several years ago from Huntington Die Specialties at www.huntingtons.com.

[bruce drake]

Lee's Universal Sizing Die sets a nice flare to my brass. I like it because it can size all my cases from 22 cal to 45 cal. You need to set the depth of the flare but once thats done, you can go to town with it.

Bruce