Beta testing Lee Precision stepped "M" style powder through expander

[ReloaderNoob]

It looks like NOE has figured out how to do .223 with Lee's dies. Maybe a drop tube extension would help aerate the powder before binding up.

.223 Remington Powder Through Expander Kit w/Die | NOE Bullet Moulds

noebulletmolds.com

The NOE powder through expander kits work great, especially for 223 and 300 BO. Bought 8 of the kits for all my reloading calibers, much better than the stock Lee expanders.

 

[LiveLife]

The NOE powder through expander kits work great, especially for 223 and 300 BO. Bought 8 of the kits for all my reloading calibers

When I suggested Lee Precision consider start doing R&D of stepped "M" style powder through expanders (PTX), NOE powder through expander was one of several that were referenced.

Some "M" style expanders included flare above the step and some did not. Calvin and I discussed the pros and cons of each and I suggested flare may help with slightly larger sized lead/coated lead bullets. In the end, I left Lee Precision to make the final decision on which to incorporate for their "Square starting" powder through expanders. If you look at the R&D and final production samples of Lee's PTXs, you will notice slight flare incorporated above the step.

Lee Precision is replacing current PTXs with stepped "M" style "square starting" PTXs under the same part number and an official announcement will be made once sufficient numbers are manufactured. In time, I anticipate "square starting" PTXs to be available for most other calibers.

 

[vepr12]

After speculating that I might have better luck with the Lee auto disk when using CFE BLK, I put together one and charged a couple case. Wow, this is the ticket for fine ball powders.
Anyone ever try the Auto disk with 3 inserts? I'm thinking 2 disks for capacity and the adjustable bar to dial it in.

 

[LV Gun]

I got my hands on some CFE BLK and tried loading some cases tonight with the NOE PTX and wow! The powder was falling out of the die and Auto-drum leaked like a sift. I don't think I will be using either for ball powders again.

If you want to stop the leaking take the drum out of the body , take a file or grinder and shorten the drum shaft about a 1/16 of an inch or possibly a little more if needed. Before you put it back in tap the body on a piece of wood to remove any loose powder that may be in there and blow it out also , lastly put some graphite on the drum, once in and tightened put some graphite in the well in the drum and cycle it a few times with a cartridge with a spent primer . By shortening the drum shaft you can pull the drum into the body more I can now load #7 or Ramshot Enforcer without it leaking but whenever I switch out the drums I repeat the above process this has worked well for me.I use Noe PTX die also have not had an issue with it leaking only with flake powders bridging in it and not falling into the cases.

 

[curlysir]

I placed an order earlier this week with Lee and added a 40/10MM and a 9MM expander just to see what I would get. Received them to day the 9MM was the new style and the 40/10MM was the old style. Will install the 9MM and see how it works on 357 Sig. Would have preferred it to be the other way as I am currently loading 10MM.

 

[LiveLife]

Received them to day the 9MM was the new style and the 40/10MM was the old style. Will install the 9MM and see how it works on 357 Sig. Would have preferred it to be the other way as I am currently loading 10MM.

The official announcement won't happen until they produce enough of new stepped "Square Starting" powder through expanders.

So until then, you HAVE to call customer service and specify whether they have the new expander in the caliber you are ordering.

 

[curlysir]

I placed an order earlier this week with Lee and added a 40/10MM and a 9MM expander just to see what I would get. Received them to day the 9MM was the new style and the 40/10MM was the old style. Will install the 9MM and see how it works on 357 Sig. Would have preferred it to be the other way as I am currently loading 10MM.

Placed another order with Lee last week. Added the 40/10mm expander. Received the order today and it was the new style. Just installed and will test shortly.

 

[curlysir]

The official announcement won't happen until they produce enough of new stepped "Square Starting" powder through expanders.

So until then, you HAVE to call customer service and specify whether they have the new expander in the caliber you are ordering.

I knew that when I ordered. It was a last minute decision to order the expander and it was after hours. But it was just $4 so no big deal if it wasn't the new style.

I just installed it along with the upgraded Auto-Drum. I had to back out the expander a full turn, not sure if it was the new expander or upgraded Auto-Drum with the new tube that caused that much back out. More than I was expecting. So far on the limited testing I am please with both of the upgrades.

 

[LiveLife]

This is "open" collaboration between manufacturer and customer base at work and I received a long insightful email from president John Lee with some history behind various product development regarding Super Tray, never produced "Dillon 550 killer" press, stepped "M" style powder through expander, and Ultimate Turret Press.

The official announcement won't happen until they produce enough of new stepped "Square Starting" powder through expanders.

Here's the portion of email regarding the stepped expander:

John Lee​

Staff - 03/01/2024 12:48 pm​

​

< Snip of rest of email >​

​

... The stepped expander is making its way through the lineup [Now becoming regular part of Lee die sets] and is just an added feature of Lee dies that doesn't add any cost to the product.​

​

Another reason Lee stuff costs less and really isn't built to a "price point".​

​

Sincerely,​

​

John Lee, President​

Lee Precision, Inc.​

 

[res45]

Ordered and receive my Lee expander plugs in 9 mm, 10 mm, 45 ACP and 38/357 Mag. off the website this week, and they were the new two-step variety. I just ordered the plug only by selecting the appropriate caliber powder through expander die and ordered the expander part. Looking forward to trying them out over the weekend and seeing how they compare to my other version of solid and powder through expanders.

 

[vanfunk]

I too just ordered the new “M” expanders for .38/.357, 10mm, .44 Special/Magnum and .45 Colt. I couldn’t find them all on their atrocious website so I emailed friendly customer service. They put the order together for me and sent the invoice. Perfect. I also specified with them that all of them need3d to be of the new “M” configuration and they assured me that they were. I’ve been thoroughly happy with my Lyman M dies but the powder through expander will save me a die slot. Hopefully I get the right ones!

 

[res45]

I too just ordered the new “M” expanders for .38/.357, 10mm, .44 Special/Magnum and .45 Colt. I couldn’t find them all on their atrocious website so I emailed friendly customer service. They put the order together for me and sent the invoice. Perfect. I also specified with them that all of them need3d to be of the new “M” configuration and they assured me that they were. I’ve been thoroughly happy with my Lyman M dies but the powder through expander will save me a die slot. Hopefully I get the right ones!

To find the expander only part, go to Reloading Dies then click on single dies, then click on Handgun Powder Through Dies. Select the powder through die of your choice, then right below on Product Information, click on here for parts. From there, you can select the powder through expander only.


Current list of available two-step expander plug, there may be additions since the list was published.

 

[vanfunk]

I just received mine for .38/.357, .44sp/mag, .40/10mm, .45ACP and .45 Colt. I was using Lyman “M” dies but will switch to the Lee units today. I am loading 200 rounds of .44 Magnum today (wadcutters and LSWCHPs from Rim Rock) and am looking forward to seeing how they do.