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Thread: Lyman M-die for 38 Special

  1. #1
    Boolit Master PBSmith's Avatar
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    Lyman M-die for 38 Special

    I see these advertised as Part # LY7341801 but none of the sellers nor Lyman give the two diameters of the expander plug.

    There's a chart kicking around somewhere on this website that gives expander plug dimensions. I'd rather get the numbers from someone who owns this particular M-die and knows how to read a micrometer.

    Thanks.

    Edit: No need to waste ink in telling me about the NOE product. I have them and know their merits. Just interested now in the Lyman product.
    Last edited by PBSmith; 07-29-2022 at 02:28 PM.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master

    Rattlesnake Charlie's Avatar
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    The Lyman pistol through M-die has correct for .38 spl.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Ed_Shot's Avatar
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    My Lyman 38/357 M1-Die expander plug (die set purchased in the late 60's) reads .355" on the first step and .360" on the second step. The expander plug stem is stamped "38P".
    COME AND TAKE IT
    Let’s Go Brandon!!!!

  4. #4
    Boolit Master PBSmith's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ed_Shot View Post
    My Lyman 38/357 M1-Die expander plug (die set purchased in the late 60's) reads .355" on the first step and .360" on the second step. The expander plug stem is stamped "38P".
    Ed, Thanks.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master bedbugbilly's Avatar
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    OP - I have a set of the old Lyman AA (All American dies - steel. Unfortunately, they are in AZ and I am in MI right. If I remember correctly - and someone can correct me on this if I am - the expander die in the old AA set is the same as the M-die - so if you are looking for the M die and can't find one in stock, you might be able to pick up an old set of the AA dies cheaper?

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
    Ed_Shot's Avatar
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    Is this what you are looking for?

    http://ps-2.kev009.com/ohland/Cast_B...Die_Plugs.html
    COME AND TAKE IT
    Let’s Go Brandon!!!!

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master uscra112's Avatar
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    Plugs for the M-die body are easily made if you have a lathe. Threaded rod comes from McMaster-Carr. Click image for larger version. 

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    Cognitive Dissident

  8. #8
    Boolit Master PBSmith's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by uscra112 View Post
    Plugs for the M-die body are easily made if you have a lathe. Threaded rod comes from McMaster-Carr. Click image for larger version. 

Name:	M-die Expander.jpg 
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    Nice work 112. No lathe here. At one time, I did fashion an expander from a bolt, using a drill press and mill file. The results were - shall we say - "primitive."

  9. #9
    Boolit Master PBSmith's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ed_Shot View Post
    Ed, I believe that's the source of information on which the Castboolits thread is base. My foggy memory relays an even foggier message about changes in Lyman products that might have included dimensions on some of the plugs. Of late, my successes on crap shoots have been nothing to brag about. Thus my interest in actual measurements.
    Last edited by PBSmith; 07-29-2022 at 02:26 PM.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master PBSmith's Avatar
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    Thanks Billy, MIght look into that.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    I use the seater plugs from Buffalo Arms or NOE.

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
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    The Lyman M die has a .355 expander and is made for jacketed bullets. This can be too small for less than rock hard cast bullets. The Lyman 310/Tru-Line Jr. expanders came in .357 and .358. I used them with the correct adapter in my reloading pressed. The second step usually runs around. 360.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master PBSmith's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Char-Gar View Post
    The Lyman M die has a .355 expander and is made for jacketed bullets. This can be too small for less than rock hard cast bullets. The Lyman 310/Tru-Line Jr. expanders came in .357 and .358. I used them with the correct adapter in my reloading pressed. The second step usually runs around. 360.
    Thanks Char. Better to know now than later.

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master uscra112's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jtarm View Post
    I use the seater plugs from Buffalo Arms or NOE.
    The NOE plugs for use in the mis-named Lee Universal Expander die are so cheap that I idon't make my own anymore.
    Cognitive Dissident

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check