Lee 6000 Personal Experience

[9mmepiphany]

Just got an email back from Al at NOE! He explained how to choose the proper P/T expander size in a caliber (go .002 over bullet size for the first number listed. The 2nd number denotes the neck tension. He said you might want to go .003 over on the first number if using a progressive with a bullet feeder. )

Having never gone this route before (adding after market attachments to dies). can someone explain:
1. Why are spacers needed?
2. Overtravel ring...which overtravel does it affect?

TIA

 

[drband]

Having never gone this route before (adding after market attachments to dies). can someone explain:
1. Why are spacers needed?
2. Overtravel ring...which overtravel does it affect?

TIA

I’m not sure, but the Lee P/T expander plug is twice as long as the NOE expander. I had the same question, so I took my Lee die apart to compare with the pic on the NOE site. As far as the overtravel ring, I’m somewhat mystified. Maybe it keeps the powder measure drop tube/actuator from dropping into the spacer or die. My guess only.

I think I’m going to order a few of these NOE expander kits to test out. Pricy, but it may really help loading coated bullets (9mm and .45acp).
And I have hope that it will improve neck tension on my .22TCM cartridges and make placing the bullet on top of those much easier. Currently I can get good tension if I barely flare the neck—if I don’t flare, there’s no hope for getting those tiny bullets to sit on top. A “M die” type expander should help with bullet placement.

 

[Tom Myers]

Having never gone this route before (adding after market attachments to dies). can someone explain:
1. Why are spacers needed?
2. Overtravel ring...which overtravel does it affect?
TIA

The spacers allow the use of an a specific diameter expander to be used in a larger range of Caliber case lengths using that diameter bullet.
Without the Spacers NOE would need to machine three times as many expanders of different lengths with the same diameter. The website specifies the number (or lack of ) spacers for the case length of the caliber you are going to load for.

The Over_Travel ring is used for the Lee Auto Drum. Lee cautions about excessive travel of the case up into the expander die that could crush the plastic parts in the Auto Drum.

Dispense position Note: slider drop tube should not make contact with top of slot

The NOE website provides a cutaway image of each caliber that is listed using the diameter range of all the expanders. This image details the number and position of spacers used (if any), the placement of the over-travel ring and the stepped powder through expander.
The image also indicates the initial turns up of the expander die from contact with the bottom of the die and the shell plate.

Hope this helps.

Respectfully,
Tom Myers.

 

[drband]

The spacers allow the use of an a specific diameter expander to be used in a larger range of Caliber case lengths using that diameter bullet.
Without the Spacers NOE would need to machine three times as many expanders of different lengths with the same diameter. The website specifies the number (or lack of ) spacers for the case length of the caliber you are going to load for.

The Over_Travel ring is used for the Lee Auto Drum. Lee cautions about excessive travel of the case up into the expander die that could crush the plastic parts in the Auto Drum.

Dispense position Note: slider drop tube should not make contact with top of slot

The NOE website provides a cutaway image of each caliber that is listed using the diameter range of all the expanders. This image details the number and position of spacers used (if any), the placement of the over-travel ring and the stepped powder through expander.
The image also indicates the initial turns up of the expander die from contact with the bottom of the die and the shell plate.

Hope this helps.

Respectfully,
Tom Myers.


View attachment 1127469

Thanks for the clear explanation!

 

[9mmepiphany]

Hope this helps.

Thank you, it really does....very clear

I didn't look at enough different cartridge diagrams, only looked at 9mm and .45ACP, to notice that the number of spacers changed. Obviously I completely missed the warning concerning the Auto Drum