Neck Expanding for Cast Bullets

by Charles, Monday, November 05, 2012, 10:29 (4347 days ago)

Most commercial handgun dies these days have expander plugs for use with jacketed bullets. These work just fine with the granite "hard cast" bullets that are sold through commercial outlets. Note, I did not say the bullets work fine, just the expander. I understand the new RCBS Cowboy dies are larger, tht is why I said "most".

However, many of us that cast our own, prefer softer bullets. The small expanders can result in bullet deformation as they are horsed down into the case.

The older Lyman 310 dies for the tong tool come with larger expanders in handgun calibers. I use these to expand my handgun cases for cast bullets. These dies are marked:

357 (357 Mag)
358 (38 Special)
427 (44-40)
429 (44 Special and Mag)
452 (45 ACP)
454 (45 Colt)

The expander plugs actually measure .001 less than they are marked, giving a good tension for the cast bullet without deforming the same. They are also of the two step (M die) configuration with the top step being .002 -003 larger than the plug proper to allow bullet to be seated without shaving.

I find these work for me and are available used for not much money. Just passing this on for those who share my same concern. Itis the cheap way to jump the undersized expander snake.