Wow! So Much Better!

[uncle.45]

Gents,
Some of you know that I load .45acp with LSWCs on a SDB.
A few months ago I got a Unique Tek seating stem to solve some issues I had with seating bullets straight.
That helped noticeably, but was not the cure I was looking for. No matter how much or little I flared cases, some bullets would tip as the ram started upward.
Today I got a Double Alpha Dynamics powder funnel, and it made my reloading life like new.
Now bullets sit dead straight in the case, and seating has become much more consistent. Before the OAL was all over the place, but now they steady turn out between 1.259" and 1.261". I am thrilled!
As a bonus, I think the press runs smoother, too. Not flaring the cases must account for that.
I checked case neck tension several times with a HARD push on the bench, and it was almost impossible to push any bullets deeper.
That step in the funnel instead of a flare really made a huge difference!
Happy, Happy, Happy!!

 

[Walkalong]

Double Alpha Dynamics powder funnel

A good old two step expander like the M Die makes a ig difference. Good stuff.

It looks like the make a high quality product.

 

[GW Staar]

That's why I got excited about the new RCBS tube rifle bullet feeders....inexpensive and in addition to the feed die, the tool comes with an M-style expander die. Rifle bullets have stand up problems too. A lot of flare isn't real great, or effective for tall skinny bullets. Now if they will wise up remodel their pistol feeders to match the new rifle ones, in concept.

 

[higgite]

Yeah, I put a Dillon PM on my RCBS Pro 2000 (long story) and was disappointed in the taper formed by the supplied Dillon powder funnel after having used the RCBS M-die type funnel for so long. Ordered M-die style powder funnels (9mm and 45 ACP) off of ebay and am again a happy camper.

 

[GW Staar]

Yup makes a huge difference. I tried using a Lee expander on my progressive before the M expanders finally showed up, and they just wouldn't work on a progressive.....not for me at least.......too little and the bullets (.40 &.45) wouldn't stay put, too much and the case wouldn't go into the seating die......stupid annoying. Thanks, Lyman, for inventing the "M" step process!

 

[jmorris]

I am almost ashamed to admit never putting a micrometer on them but my oldest Dillon powder funnels are different than the current ones.

The oldest is the one on the left, what they send these days on the SD, 550 and 650 center and the 1050 on the right, it’s just a flare as the expander is on the back up rod for the swage station at #3.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Where are the “funnels”?
I only see “powder thru expander plugs”?

 

[noylj]

Dillon calls their powder-through expanders "powder funnels." I think Lee might have trademarked PTE. I went into Dillon and asked for a .32 S&W Long powder funnel and he pointed me to a rack of funnels...
My M-dies do NOT give me an expansion that lets me seat the bullet in the case. I think I might need to actually order a custom size for my slightly over sized lead bullets. However, getting a seating stem that only contacts the SWC shoulder straightens out any cocked bullets for me. I find that additional flare does more for me than the M-die expander.
Also, with the M-die, I found that they kept loosening up when I noticed the cases were really over flared, so I put a drop of blue Lok-Tite on the threads.

 

[uncle.45]

Goose,
The powder thru expanders are what we are talking about.
Instead of just a 'flare' that can allow bullets to tip, this stepped expander let's you sit bullets straight, and they STAY straight as you seat them.
For as-cast bullets which are sometimes oversize, you can also add a little flare to start them.

 

[Texas10mm]

Dillon calls their powder-through expanders "powder funnels." I think Lee might have trademarked PTE. I went into Dillon and asked for a .32 S&W Long powder funnel and he pointed me to a rack of funnels...
My M-dies do NOT give me an expansion that lets me seat the bullet in the case. I think I might need to actually order a custom size for my slightly over sized lead bullets. However, getting a seating stem that only contacts the SWC shoulder straightens out any cocked bullets for me. I find that additional flare does more for me than the M-die expander.
Also, with the M-die, I found that they kept loosening up when I noticed the cases were really over flared, so I put a drop of blue Lok-Tite on the threads.

Hornady calls their part a powder through expander and I think RCBS does too.

 

[GW Staar]

And Lee does too.......but neither the Hornady nor Lee nor Dillon has the M die step as the RCBS one does. However Dillon users can buy the M.B.F. expanders (AKA Double Alpha Dynamics powder funnel), which are identical to the Dillon ones, except that they add a vertical slide to the M-die style step just before the flare....and that's the secret that makes them work well in a 650. The problem I ran into with the Lee expanders was the wide flare angle.....enough flare to work made it not work.....since the flare was so wide it wouldn't go into seating die....not to mention there's no vertical to slide down. (all it takes is 1/16" inch to hold it vertical).

 

[jmorris]

Where are the “funnels”?
I only see “powder thru expander plugs”?

You just need to know what the manufacturer calls them. Not sure who calls them plugs but Dillon’s doesn’t.

Likely got their name from the top view as they are a funnel. Even the rifle ones that don’t have expanders built into them. They still funnel from the larger drop tube into the smaller case mouth, despite the fact that they are on the OD (to reduce bridging).

 

[GooseGestapo]

Dillon doesn’t to get around Lee’s patent. They used to license the design from Lee. Had a falling apart after Sr. Lee passed away...
Have used Lyman M-die expanders for nearly 40yrs. Used one yesterday to load some .30/30’s. (.30wcf to shoot in my Marlin )...
I was just jerking your chain ...)...