Lead Bullets: Do you load using the Lyman 2 Step Expander Die?

[RealGun]

I received mine yesterday and, in terms of bevel-based lead bullets, it is a real solution for getting those bullets (measured at .452) to stand straight for insertion.

While it is redundant in principle to the PTX in the powder measure, it does not replace any die in my setups, requiring its own station, so on my Hornady LnL with 5 stations, I removed the RCBS lock out die, which follows the powder charge. I was eyeballing every charge anyway and only loading .45ACP, which is easy to monitor visually, given the InLine Fabrications Skylight.

When I received the die, it was very clean, but I took it apart and flushed everything with One Shot.

 

[Springfield0612]

I found another one Dr. Z. Powder coating bullets. Come to the dark side! I now have zero leading in my 9mm's!

 

[sexybeast]

As the previous poster stated the 9MM case is probably the worst offender in regards to cast bullets and one that garners by far the most questions on the Cast Boolit board. The Lyman "M" die prevents the case from sizing the bullet smaller and is way better than most of the expanders in die sets which are designed for jacketed bullets. If any caliber really needs the "M" die or similar expander it is the 9MM!

Amen brother! 9mm has given me fits with lead. Seems I was "squishing" the bullet with the FCD. You can't make the carbide ring in the FCD larger, but if you use larger lead bullets then this is what you have. Most of my 9mm loads do have a little bulge where the base of the bullet is, then I squeeze it down and all the accuracy goes to hell. This is mostly with 9 simply because of the taper of the cartridge and the area/diameter of the bullet. With 40 it seems the base expands [obutrates] with the pressure and seals up the bore completly or at least much better than 9mm. By using the Lyman expander M die and switching at the same time to a tapercrimp die I have noticed an improvement in accuracy.
I still have some experimentation to do with both calibers. I'm also now using Dardas bullets sized to .357 and so far I'm happy with the results.

 

[nevadabob]

sexybeast...You mentioned that you use Darda's 0.357's. Awhile back I took advantage of their slug measurement program. I slugged the barrels on my four 9mm pistols and one pistol was "suspect". I kept getting a 0.355 to 0.356 slug reading on my M&P. I packaged it and sent to Darda's and they got a 0.356 reading. I then ordered the 0.357's from them. Did you get the THR discount?
I'm still playing around (probably not the best phrase to use when talking about reloading) with the Lyman m die. I can see where the Lyman drops into the case a little further than the Lee powder thru expander die. I see where that would insure a proper standing bullet. But I've loaded up a bunch of Lyman & non Lyman rounds, labeled them, gone out to the range, and both categories perform well. I've pulled several rounds and have not detected any squish factor or lead shavings. This has been a very interesting topic and I appreciate the responses.

 

[sexybeast]

sexybeast...You mentioned that you use Darda's 0.357's. Awhile back I took advantage of their slug measurement program. I slugged the barrels on my four 9mm pistols and one pistol was "suspect". I kept getting a 0.355 to 0.356 slug reading on my M&P. I packaged it and sent to Darda's and they got a 0.356 reading. I then ordered the 0.357's from them. Did you get the THR discount?
I'm still playing around (probably not the best phrase to use when talking about reloading) with the Lyman m die. I can see where the Lyman drops into the case a little further than the Lee powder thru expander die. I see where that would insure a proper standing bullet. But I've loaded up a bunch of Lyman & non Lyman rounds, labeled them, gone out to the range, and both categories perform well. I've pulled several rounds and have not detected any squish factor or lead shavings. This has been a very interesting topic and I appreciate the responses

Yo Nevada;
I did get the HR discount. I also shoot an m&p 9 and I just slugged my barrel with a soft 147gr .358 soft wadcutter that I had. I also slugged my glock too. Both came out to .356 or actually .3557 with my micrometer. So I went to .357 with Dardas bullets and so far with the 147's I am happy. Still doing some adjustments opening up the case mouth, first time I opened it up a little much but the 147's just slip right in.
I put them on paper next to some 122 gr trfp and they group better being a little larger bullet. My second order from Dardas arrived yesterday too. Great bullet maker, not too big and will size your bullets to several diameters. Great packaging too. Everything arrived intact! I have found a replacement for Missouri bullets finally.
I've been reloading for years! And have used the factory crimp die with every pistol cartridge but I just removed them from all my turrets and am replacing them with taper crimp dies.