Case Mouth Expander Dies

[Walkalong]

At first I thought the lNL bushing thing was a waste of time and not enough faster to pay for, but now I think the float of the orings helps align things up.

 

[GW Staar]

Just one more suggestion:

Lots of people like speed contests when it comes to reloading......even to the point they try to beat their own records. IMO that's counter productive. The whole point of reloading is to make better ammo than commercial. Ammo that is custom fit for your rifle or pistol. The fact that it might be cheaper as well is gravy.......when it happens that is. Either way, racing can reduce quality, and sometimes even add dangerous to the mix.

The suggestions in my last post .....aligning...centering...etc. is less likely when cases are rammed at high speed into a die. You got to give it time to center and go in straight....pure and simple. Learn to relax when you reload, your ammo will be better.

At first I thought the lNL bushing thing was a waste of time and not enough faster to pay for, but now I think the float of the orings helps align things up.

I remember when the O-ringed Lee die nuts were ridiculed because of their O-rings.....and many still replace them with nuts having set screws. Me too until I started using a progressive where I could set a die plate once and leave it alone.

I think you are right....the O-rings help with alignment....especially beneficial on Hornady AP's as they have fewer other places that can give a little. No die plates/tool heads that are designed to do just that.

 

[Walkalong]

I remember when the O-ringed Lee die nuts were ridiculed because of their O-rings.....and many still replace them with nuts having set screws. Me too until I started using a progressive where I could set a die plate once and leave it alone.

Yep, when screwed down on a bushing or plate and left alone they work well.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

Right, the O ring in the Lee dies acted to keep the die tight. That was the purpose.

O rings: You can find some information on websites given over to long range shooting. It's easy to see the difference between the Lee lock ring and the O rings used for self aligning die settings. Mostly these techniques are used by rifle shooters.

 

[Walkalong]

Right, the O ring in the Lee dies acted to keep the die tight. That was the purpose.

But they advertise them to stay put when screwing them in and out of presses, which they do not. They do stay put if screwed down on a bushing or a die plate and left alone.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

Lee lock rings: Basically, I don;t like the things. So far there has been no problem for me yet (note yet). The only handgun cartridge I do is 357 SIG on Lee dies. The Lee lock rings have been swapped out for 1" Dillon rings. The Lee rings have been left on a T Mag. The FL sizer and collet sizer ( 257 Roberts, 7mm-08, 308, and 7mm Magnum used as needed.) are on this Lyman. Incidentally, that collet die is great for not screwing up brass. Over the years it been necessary to deal with dies attacked by Bubba. You learn how to remove lock rings that had been attacked with vice grips. Overall, my experience with major brand dies has been good. The only truly fouled up die to pass through here was a Lyman 45-70 where the sizer was not finished out. Lyman replaced that very quickly. One way to solve the alignment problem is to check out the Co-Ax press. This press allows movement with the shell holder and the dies. I have a long history of RCBS taking care of me, the customer. Most of the reloading manufacturers will take care of you. Don't ask Bubba how to set your dies!