Lee “M” type Expander Plug. Where’s the Magic?

[CQB45ACP]

I bought the new fangdangled M type expanding plug for Lee’s PTX and used it this AM.

All I can say is what the title above reads—where’s the magic?

Glad it didn’t cost but $3.50 plus shipping cause I could’ve easily gotten along without it. Could’ve just slightly turned down standard plug to “barely flare.”

What am I missing? What should I have been expecting?

(FYI—For 45acp I use Redding’s version of the M when I expand, which isn’t often, so I’m not unfamiliar with it in theory.)

 

[GW Staar]

The M feature is a step in the neck expander to allow bullet feeders on a progressive to set the bullet "in" to the neck a 1/16 to allow is to stay vertical to the next merry-go-round where the bullet is seated. Just a flare as Lee has always done in the past, too often left bullets on an angle or even let them fall off on the trip to the next seating station. I haven't seen Lee's new "M", which is about time for Lee, but my RCBS ones and Lyman ones work great. If you're using a single station press or turret....not much magic or usefulness.

BTW boat tail bases work as well, but may or may not require ball bearings in a different hole, and the weight of a stack in the bullet feed tube helps them stick better.....last bullet maybe not stick as well. And of course bullet diameter matters.......

 

[CQB45ACP]

The M feature is a step in the neck expander to allow bullet feeders on a progressive to set the bullet "in" to the neck a 1/16 to allow is to stay vertical to the next merry-go-round where the bullet is seated. Just a flare as Lee has always done in the past, too often left bullets on an angle or even let them fall off on the trip to the next seating station. I haven't seen Lee's new "M", which is about time for Lee, but my RCBS ones and Lyman ones work great. If you're using a single station press....not much magic.

BTW boat tail bases work as well, but may or may not require ball bearings in a different hole, and the weight of a stack in the bullet feed tube helps them stick better.....last bullet maybe not stick as well. And of course bullet diameter matters.......

Thanks

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

The M feature is a step in the neck expander to allow bullet feeders on a progressive to set the bullet "in" to the neck a 1/16 to allow is to stay vertical to the next merry-go-round where the bullet is seated. Just a flare as Lee has always done in the past, too often left bullets on an angle or even let them fall off on the trip to the next seating station. I haven't seen Lee's new "M", which is about time for Lee, but my RCBS ones and Lyman ones work great. If you're using a single station press or turret....not much magic or usefulness.

BTW boat tail bases work as well, but may or may not require ball bearings in a different hole, and the weight of a stack in the bullet feed tube helps them stick better.....last bullet maybe not stick as well. And of course bullet diameter matters.......

I like to use the plain old M-style for rifle on a single stage to help hold the bullet in place on the trip from the loading block to the seating die. Not quite as necessary for boattail but it saves a lot of searching for flat-based bullets.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I like to use the plain old M-style for rifle on a single stage to help hold the bullet in place on the trip from the loading block to the seating die. Not quite as necessary for boattail but it saves a lot of searching for flat-based bullets.

Now that I think about what you both said…I feel pretty dumb for not recalling the “holding the bullet straight” feature.

I pretty much do that carefully myself but will certainly take advantage as often as possible.

Thanks

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Now that I think about what you both said…I feel pretty dumb for not recalling the “holding the bullet straight” feature.

I pretty much do that carefully myself but will certainly take advantage as often as possible.

Thanks

My Lyman .357Mag/.38Spl dies have the M-style expander. Not sure why - maybe they came that way? - but my Lee set doesn’t; it has the plain PTX. For those cartridges it really doesn’t make much difference.

 

[Charlie98]

I pretty much do that carefully myself

It's a nice feature. I've caught my finger... either cutting it, or trying to mash it between the shellplate and the press. M-die expanders are very nice!

 

[IWAC]

I used my Lyman"M" die for my rifles to make seating bullets easier, and in my pistols also,along with a mild chamfer of the case's interior to remove trimming jaggedies, and ease seating, particularly cast and plated bullets. Now, RCBS has included an "M" style step on their size/expand/deprime die. Just a smidge...as said...1/16" is plenty. No magic...just a handy assist that keeps brass from being overworked.

 

[Gillie Dog]

I bought the new fangdangled M type expanding plug for Lee’s PTX and used it this AM.

All I can say is what the title above reads—where’s the magic?

Glad it didn’t cost but $3.50 plus shipping cause I could’ve easily gotten along without it. Could’ve just slightly turned down standard plug to “barely flare.”

What am I missing? What should I have been expecting?

(FYI—For 45acp I use Redding’s version of the M when I expand, which isn’t often, so I’m not unfamiliar with it in theory.)

I have been using the LEE square start expander plug for 45ACP for a short time now and to me it is well worth the $3.50. With it, the inline bullet feeder drops the bullet in and the bullet does not fall off, come out or tip when indexing to the seating die. I never touch the bullet as a collator feeds the inline feeder die and with just flare the inline feeder die was just about useless as many bullets did not stay put while indexing. With both item combined it is wonderful in my estimation. With no bullet feeder I would not have/use it either, no reason when placing the bullet as the case goes up into seating die. I guess it is only "magic" to me if I have a bullet feeder die.

My experience, your mileage may vary.

GD

 

[9mmepiphany]

When I first got my Lee Pro 6000, in .45ACP, it was before Lee introduced their Square Start expander or their In-line Bullet Feeder, so I pulled out an old Lyman M-die and popped it into Station 2.

It worked really well and helped me get the bullet into the case mouth straight after Station 4 (powder check). It took me a while to get used to placing bullets at the back stations (10 o'clock) as my previous progressive was a Hornady LNL where bullets are placed in front (7 o'clock). I really appreciated the "cup" securely carrying the bullet to the next station to be seated.

When I got the Lee Square Start expander, the powder measure moved back to Station 2 and the In-line bullet feeder went into Station 4. Gravity was much better about placing the bullet aligned with the case. I have the expander so that I can take the case out after the bullet drops and invert it without the bullet coming out of the case. I adjust my Redding Exanding dies to accomplish the same effect in 9mm and .38Spl.

The cup formed by the M profile expander, coupled with the Redding Competition Seating dies I use have all but eliminated seating crooked bullets or shaving the coating/plating/jackets in my loading rounds

 

[OS/N]

Does it work better with the lee powder measure. Im not crazy about the bump making type and working harder to get the press lever back up. Also sometimes the spring pressure makes the flare too big or not big enough.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Thanks everyone

I'm a SS loader so the benefits with a progressive or powder drop are lost on me. And, for quite a while I wasn’t expanding at all so holding a bullet in place was something I’d grown accustomed to—it didn’t bother me.

For a couple years I was using a .355” Extreme 115gr RN plated bullet requiring no expanding, even with an undersized sizing die. But, when they ran out, I bought some Berry’s which were .356” and I didn’t give a second thought to that size difference.

When I found I had to start expanding again, I thought why not, it’s only $3.50…I’m not disappointed, just didn’t know to expect.

Anyway, I’ll chug along. Thanks again.

 

[GW Staar]

CQ45ACP, I understand where you are. Me, pre-Obama time period, when I was getting tired of stroking my RockChucker II......and took a big chance buying my first progressive. I had no idea what it amounted to......just the promise of more ammo with way less wear and tear on me. Best decision I ever made, and on a less popular press than the expensive Dillons. (RCBS Pro 2000).

Here we are today with new capable, yet way less expensive, Lee tools, especially the new six station 6000, where with half the money you can go progressive and not be hindered like Lee users used to be. Think of it......after the first 6 single station press-like strokes.....each additional stroke gives you a finished round. So for pistol......
Stroke 1: Size the first case and deprime it.
Stroke 2: Prime then Expand/Create a straight (square) bullet "M" pocket, then Charge with powder.
Stroke 3: Powder check
Stroke 4: Feed bullet with a collator or tube into and through the feeder die. Because of the "M" pocketed bullet is vertical, square, it will be seated concentrically straight and will be more accurate.
Stroke 5: Seat bullet
Stroke 6: Crimp bullet......Cartridge completed.
Stroke 7: Second Cartridge completed.

Each stroke thereafter completes a round......at least for a 60 year old body that's a game changer, from done and retired as a reloader to a new lease still going at 74. Shucks.....that left me with the energy to learn new things.....like the 3D printing hobby that allows me to have 6 electric collators for the price of one and some caliber changes. And they work well.