Problem with Lee powder through expanding die

My powder through expanding die for 32 S&W is rolling over a section of the shell rim, which ruins the case. I took the plug out of the die and sanded and polished the portion that goes into the rim to expand it, but it's still doing it on occasion. When it happens the Autodrum powder measure will make a sudden pop as the rim gets folded over.

Any other suggestions, or just send it to Lee?

 

When the powder through expander is actuated by the case, how far the case is pushed up is determined by the resized case length and die adjustment.

Perhaps the cases that are "rolling over" and causing "sudden pop" are longer cases? If so, you can either trim the cases to same length or use longer resized cases to set the powder through expander.

 

You mean the case mouth? —just checking to be sure.

 

My suggestion is to completely re-setup your powder-thru expanding die and Lee AutoDrum measure. Are you using the powder-thru riser as well?

It just sounds like some setting has changed/slipped.

 

Yes, the case mouth. I guess rim would be the other end.

I'll try backing the die out a bit, but I'm already getting hardly any flare on the mouth.

 

Set the flare you need before installing the LeeAutoDrum. Confirm cycling and flare before installing the LAD. If using the riser, tighten it all the way down before installing the LAD. Then, install the LAD, only far enough in to ensure full actuation of the drum. It is possible to thread it in too far and have it bottom out travel on the case mouth (not a good thing for the case or the LAD). Once adjusted for drum travel, then tighten the locking nut to hold the setting.

I suspect the LAD was screwed in just a little too far and put too much pressure on the case mouth when you ran it. You should be able to find an adjustment that cycles all your cases without damage even if a few odd ones are a little long.

Hope this helps. And, of course, if you find another solution, just ignore.

 

I don't have the riser. I guess I could screw the fitting in to use the funnel and set it.

 

But you posted you are "rolling over" the case mouth to the point of ruining the case ...

That's why I posted whether your resized case lengths are different.

 

It's just one spot on the rim where it's happening, but it folds it over onto itself. It's like the expander plug is getting stuck on a section of the rim, like the case is not centered. I'm using a Pro 1000. I've bent the retaining "finger" that holds the case into the shellholder thinking that it may be due to case not being centered in the shellholder, but it's still happening on occasion. If I can find one from the garbage I'll post a picture.

 

Grind file or sand the taper at the bottom of the die do it as much as you can till its almost sharp then polish it,Both my .32 Mag and 32/20 die would catch and fold in a section of the case mouth.The .32 mag. rarely the 32/20 a lot.Neither do it ever now.

 

I'll have to find a way I can mount it in a drill and give it another go. The first time I just used a strip of sandpaper and then polished it on a buffing wheel afterwards.

 

I turn all my powder through inserts to completely remove any flair. I expand in the station before powder. I use an “M” die or mandrel to expand

 

I heard back from Lee today.
"Because the 32S&W is such a short case the design of the powder through expanding die dictates that the expander nipple on the expander plug extends from the bottom of the die body. Because it does there is no opportunity for the die body to help the case align with the expander nipple. If the nipple is misaligned it will roll the case mouth. The only real solution is to slow down at the bottom end of the lever stroke on the press to allow the case more time to find its way onto the nipple and to give yourself the ability to do a finger assist to align the case if it is not aligned as it should be.. "

Based on that, making the diameter of the nipple smaller by grinding it down and polishing it and bending the retaining finger to put more pressure on the case to help center it in the shellplate is about all I can do here.

 

It's good to hear they got back to you and explained everything

 

My smallest case is 32ACP. I use LEE dies so I checked and the expander plug nipple does indeed stick out. It also sticks out on 38S&W but not on 9mm Luger. Everything else is longer and the plug's up inside the die. Regardless, I've never had a problem with the short cases aligning with the plug. From what you said about the Autodrum pop, I'll bet it's the culprit. I've been using LEE's Perfect Powder Measure - that way I don't have to prime the case until charging and bullet seating.

 

I do not load 32 auto but do load 380 and agree with what LEE said. You have go slow and be sure the case lines up on sizing and powder drop. If not it will destroy the case, I have mushed many a 380. Can't imagine 32!!

 

So, when you mush a case, what do you do with the primer?

 

I crush them on resizing before the primer. If there is a primer I just toss it, Not worth the trouble.

 

If I'm feeling thrifty I'll take it over to the vice and put it on top, adjust the jaws so there's enough of gap for the primer to go through and take an extra decapping pin and punch it out with a hammer and catch it.

 

I guess I'm confused here. If you're using the powder drop when you expand th case mouth, don't you have to have a primer in to keep powder from falling through? If the case isn't primed, can you remove the powder drop? I think I understand the powder drop, but I've never used one.

 

Punching out a live primer seems scary to me, especially for 3 or 4 cents.

 

I hand prime, but you are correct, by the time you get to the powder drop there would be a primer in the case. Rule3 was saying that he usually crushes one at the resizing step, before a primer gets seated.

You're applying the force from the other side of the anvil. It doesn't take much force to pop out an unfired primer, but you are correct, there is some risk involved.

 

I would go along with the alignment of the case that Lee suggests. I had the issue with .380 Auto on my Lee Classic Turret. The first thing I did was to get a better shell holder (Redding) but with your Pro 1000 I don't know that that will help you. That solved 99% of my issues but I found the best method was to remove the Index Rod and manually turn the Turret. That assured that everything was lined up perfectly. A little slower but no more crushed cases.

Dave

 

When I set out loading my .44 Colt Original, I replaced the Powder Thru Expander Plug with a Custom Built Expander Plug.
Made a smooth Bell, I didn't make it hollow as I planned on charging in a separate step.
AntiqueSledMan