Why No Micrometer Adjusting Expanders?

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CQB45ACP

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I dislike adjusting and readjusting expander depths. (For my purposes 45acp or 9mm on different expander’s obviously.)

I’ve come to like very much Redding’s micrometer adjusting seating and taper crimping dies. And Redding even has a micrometer to add to a standard die—I have one of those too.

So looking through catalogs it’s surprising (to me) no one sells a similar adjustable expander.

Am I wrong? Or, have any of you made one or have ideas on how one could do so?

Under what circumstances would such be valuable? Expanding a batch of .888” 45acp brass and then some .898” and then some .893” each to get the expansion but no actual flare.
 
CQB45ACP said:
I dislike adjusting and readjusting expander depths. (For my purposes 45acp or 9mm on different expander’s obviously.)

I’ve come to like very much Redding’s micrometer adjusting seating and taper crimping dies. And Redding even has a micrometer to add to a standard die—I have one of those too.

So looking through catalogs it’s surprising (to me) no one sells a similar adjustable expander.

Am I wrong? Or, have any of you made one or have ideas on how one could do so?

Under what circumstances would such be valuable? Expanding a batch of .888” 45acp brass and then some .898” and then some .893”
Click to expand...
Because the necessary adjustments are not that fine. That said, if they thought we would buy them...........
 
Walkalong said:
Because the necessary adjustments are not that fine. That said, if they thought we would buy them...........
Click to expand...
Well I’ve been experimenting and the edit on my original post says it—I use my Redding expander without going deep enough to begin a flare. That changes with case length.

But you’re right, if we’d buy it they would build.
 
Try using die shims...

benchrite.com

Skip's 7/8-14 Sizing Die Shims

This set of seven 7/8 die shims enables you to set the die up once, then adjust the die in small, exact increments without loosening the die lock ring and starting over.
benchrite.com benchrite.com

They're what I use for minor sizing and seating adjustments when making test loads. No reason why they wouldn't work under an expanding die.
 
Well, here is why I think it would be pointless. First, case wall thickness can vary wildly even within same manufacturer and same lot. Second, case length/trim length can vary quite a bit as well. So, though you can set the die as precise as you want, there's still gonna be a pretty big variance in how much flair you get. Third, it isn't terribly critical to how good your ammo is so long as your die doesn't move while you're trying to get consistency.
 
Chuck R. said:
Try using die shims...

benchrite.com

Skip's 7/8-14 Sizing Die Shims

This set of seven 7/8 die shims enables you to set the die up once, then adjust the die in small, exact increments without loosening the die lock ring and starting over.
benchrite.com benchrite.com

They're what I use for minor sizing and seating adjustments when making test loads. No reason why they wouldn't work under an expanding die.
Click to expand...
Right Thanks

I obviously wasn’t clear—I’m looking for instant or near instant and precise adjustments. These would be even more complex than using current expander adjustments.
 
longdayjake said:
Well, here is why I think it would be pointless. First, case wall thickness can vary wildly even within same manufacturer and same lot. Second, case length/trim length can vary quite a bit as well. So, though you can set the die as precise as you want, there's still gonna be a pretty big variance in how much flair you get. Third, it isn't terribly critical to how good your ammo is so long as your die doesn't move while you're trying to get consistency.
Click to expand...
Not quite. Actually not at all.

I already sort by mfr. headstamp.

And I now sort by case length—because I want to that’s why.

So, as I said previously, the expansion of a .898” case would be different than if adjustment was made for a .888”

And I don’t want ANY flare. None. Only expansion.
 
CQB45ACP said:
Or, have any of you made one or have ideas on how one could do so?
Click to expand...

I made this, allows you to move any number of things, from one position to another, with precision.

www.youtube.com

Dial Indicator Die Adjustment

www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

If your not a DIY guy a height gauge might work for you.

 
Chuck R. said:
Try using die shims...

benchrite.com

Skip's 7/8-14 Sizing Die Shims

This set of seven 7/8 die shims enables you to set the die up once, then adjust the die in small, exact increments without loosening the die lock ring and starting over.
benchrite.com benchrite.com

They're what I use for minor sizing and seating adjustments when making test loads. No reason why they wouldn't work under an expanding die.
Click to expand...
I do that for crimping. I adjust the die for a heavy crimp, then use shims to adjust for anything else. Naturally I log which shim.
 
CQB45ACP said:
Not quite. Actually not at all.

I already sort by mfr. headstamp.

And I now sort by case length—because I want to that’s why.

So, as I said previously, the expansion of a .898” case would be different than if adjustment was made for a .888”

And I don’t want ANY flare. None. Only expansion.
Click to expand...
You should consider the broader market. As you see case length varies a lot, and you make get a subset of handloaders that sort by headstamp, and a subset of those doing what your doing and sorting by length. That subset does not generate enough demand. If I were trying to make what you want, I'd use a lee body noe expanders and barter a machinist to thread a blank micrometer to fit. It is possible, but expensive and you would need to do the cost benefit analysis.
 
AJC1 said:
You should consider the broader market. As you see case length varies a lot, and you make get a subset of handloaders that sort by headstamp, and a subset of those doing what your doing and sorting by length. That subset does not generate enough demand. If I were trying to make what you want, I'd use a lee body noe expanders and barter a machinist to thread a blank micrometer to fit. It is possible, but expensive and you would need to do the cost benefit analysis.
Click to expand...
I know I know but I want one
 
I've just never had a problem adjusting or tweaking the adjustment of a standard Die .
The micrometer will still need to be adjusted and it's going to cost more .
I have always found simple to be best ... I'm not a Gadget person ... but I learned how to reload in 1967 and there were very few gadgets then ... my sets of Redding dies are all plain steel and with no Micrometer adjustments .

Turning things in and turning things out is somewhat enjoyable ...
In fact , my wife says I like screwing around way too much !
Gary
 
Would this graduated lock ring get you by?
www.creedmoorsports.com

Forster Accu-Ring Graduated Die Lock Ring

Forster Accu-Ring Graduated Die Lock Ring The Accu-Ring is a sizing/seater die lock-ring which provides reference marks in increments of thousandths of an inch (0.001”). Sizing die (primary use) – Designed mainly for sizing dies, the Accu-Ring helps you zero in on what you want...
www.creedmoorsports.com

Or this one that is click stopped?
www.creedmoorsports.com

Whidden Click Adjust Lock Ring

Whidden Click Adjust Lock Ring The Whidden Click Adjust lock ring makes your standard dies function like a micro adjust die. The lock ring will fit on any 7/8 OD sizer of any brand with adjustable shoulder bump. It's easy to use the inner and outer ring that can rotate independently of each...
www.creedmoorsports.com
 
Jim Watson said:
Would this graduated lock ring get you by?
www.creedmoorsports.com

Forster Accu-Ring Graduated Die Lock Ring

Forster Accu-Ring Graduated Die Lock Ring The Accu-Ring is a sizing/seater die lock-ring which provides reference marks in increments of thousandths of an inch (0.001”). Sizing die (primary use) – Designed mainly for sizing dies, the Accu-Ring helps you zero in on what you want...
www.creedmoorsports.com

Or this one that is click stopped?
www.creedmoorsports.com

Whidden Click Adjust Lock Ring

Whidden Click Adjust Lock Ring The Whidden Click Adjust lock ring makes your standard dies function like a micro adjust die. The lock ring will fit on any 7/8 OD sizer of any brand with adjustable shoulder bump. It's easy to use the inner and outer ring that can rotate independently of each...
www.creedmoorsports.com
Click to expand...

They both would function similar to the die shim concept. I believe he wants to adjust the diameter, VS the amount of flare.
 
Jim Watson said:
Would this graduated lock ring get you by?
www.creedmoorsports.com

Forster Accu-Ring Graduated Die Lock Ring

Forster Accu-Ring Graduated Die Lock Ring The Accu-Ring is a sizing/seater die lock-ring which provides reference marks in increments of thousandths of an inch (0.001”). Sizing die (primary use) – Designed mainly for sizing dies, the Accu-Ring helps you zero in on what you want...
www.creedmoorsports.com

Or this one that is click stopped?
www.creedmoorsports.com

Whidden Click Adjust Lock Ring

Whidden Click Adjust Lock Ring The Whidden Click Adjust lock ring makes your standard dies function like a micro adjust die. The lock ring will fit on any 7/8 OD sizer of any brand with adjustable shoulder bump. It's easy to use the inner and outer ring that can rotate independently of each...
www.creedmoorsports.com
Click to expand...
These would work if I was looking to move the die but as it is right now, I only have to move the stem and I’m after a better way to do the latter.

IMG_4364.jpeg
 
CQB45ACP said:
I dislike adjusting and readjusting expander depths. (For my purposes 45acp or 9mm on different expander’s obviously.)

I’ve come to like very much Redding’s micrometer adjusting seating and taper crimping dies. And Redding even has a micrometer to add to a standard die—I have one of those too.

So looking through catalogs it’s surprising (to me) no one sells a similar adjustable expander.

Am I wrong? Or, have any of you made one or have ideas on how one could do so?

Under what circumstances would such be valuable? Expanding a batch of .888” 45acp brass and then some .898” and then some .893” each to get the expansion but no actual flare.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure there’s a market for that but I’m also pretty sure that @jmorris can make one for you for enough $$$$.
 
longdayjake said:
Well, here is why I think it would be pointless. First, case wall thickness can vary wildly even within same manufacturer and same lot. Second, case length/trim length can vary quite a bit as well. So, though you can set the die as precise as you want, there's still gonna be a pretty big variance in how much flair you get. Third, it isn't terribly critical to how good your ammo is so long as your die doesn't move while you're trying to get consistency.
Click to expand...
Well, yeah but, what if you want to be an iconoclast? 🤣
 
CQB45ACP said:
These would work if I was looking to move the die but as it is right now, I only have to move the stem and I’m after a better way to do the latter.
Click to expand...

I know, but you could change to adjusting by moving the die body.
Or you could probably make up a graduated disk for the plug.
 
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