Question for those who shoot cast bullets.

[felt]

Anyone using the Lyman 2 step m die?

I'm toying with the idea of pulling my powder check (Dillon 650) and putting one of these in its place. From what I've read it should tighten up groups even more? Just looking for some real world feed back.

Thanks!

[anachronism]

You can expect to seat your bullets a bit straighter that some dies will allow, and a bit easier as well. I do like the shape of the flare that the M dies puts in the case. I use a lot of M dies in cast bullet rifle loads, but not much in handgun loads.

[glynnm45]

The New Dimension Carbide Dies from Hornady will do the same, they are excellent.

[Linear Thinker]

I use the Lyman M-dies for all the rifle calibers I handload with cast bullets, including gas-checked.

The benefit for me is that the bullet goes into the case neck easily, and stays straight.

The only pistol caliber I use M-die for is 44-40. It helps to prevent the neck collapses with this thin-necked cartridge.

LT

Edited February 19, 2012 by Linear Thinker

[anachronism]

The New Dimension Carbide Dies from Hornady will do the same, they are excellent.

Hornady 2 die rifle sets don't include an expander die. As for handguns, M dies have a different expander step profile, and it seems to work better for me than the Hornady expanders, or anyone elses for that matter. I do use M dies for straight walled revolver cases such as 357 & 44 mag when I assemble loads intended for long range shooting, to remove another potential variable. I don't bother with autoloader calibers.

[noylj]

Almost all I shoot are lead bullets.

I have a couple of Lyman M-die expanders for 9mm and .45. Never did see any improvement using them over standard expander dies (Hornady/RCBS).

I do occasionally run an expander die (Hdy/RCBS/Lyman) in conjunction with a PTE (Lee/Hdy/Dillon) where the extra expanding step gets the case ID within 0.002" of the bullet diameter (generally 0.001") when the PTE doesn't quite expand enough. Note: not talking case mouth flare, talking case ID expansion to eliminate swaging down lead bullet or bullet seating crooked and bulging the case.

In fact, one problem with the M-dies are the expander plug screws onto the expander stem and will come loose, so I have had to use blue LocTite on the threads.

[G60]

In fact, one problem with the M-dies are the expander plug screws onto the expander stem and will come loose, so I have had to use blue LocTite on the threads.

Same thing happened to my 9mm M expander, I used a #10 split lock washer to keep the stem from loosening.

[98sr20ve]

tried it and sold it. Prefer the Dillon setup.

Edited March 2, 2012 by 98sr20ve

[mbopp]

I have a 357 Herrett barrel on my Contender. For practice I expand the case neck with a Lyman "M" die and load cast bullets. Haven't tried it for 357 Mag loads to see if it makes an accuracy difference or not.