Many cast bullet shooters have to deal with bullet deformation due to factory seating dies. You have an option. Using a Lee universal flaring die body, and a NOE Top Punch adapter, and a RCBS/Lyman Top Punch made for your paticular bullet. You can seat your bullets without deforming them. You can also incorporate the Lee Micrometer screw so you have a Measurable seater die.
Custom Cast bullet Seating Die
- Thread starter Rustystud
- Start date
Is the wrong die for cast. It does NOT expand the case inside diameter. It only flares the mouth edge. Another useless Lee Tool
I have been casting & loading cast for 60+ years. RCBS works fine. There new pistol die sets, now come with an M type expander. Great for lead
You need to carefully read the post again. I am not flairing with the Lee intrernals.
This is correct. Every rcbs pistol set ive bought for the past 50+ years has more than 1 seating stem. For instance, my 45 acp set has both rn and swc stems.I guess i need reloading lessons. Sorry.
Newer RCBS M type expander. Comes in pistol cartridges. Set comes with 2 nose punches, also.
View attachment 1751292
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
I think he is giving us a tip on how to make a seater with a custom seater plug using the matching top punch for your particular cast bullet. That being said I'm using a UniqueTek expander on my dillon.
charlie b
Gold $$ Contributor
When I had bullet deformation when seating I'd either take a dremel tool to the Lee stem to reshape it, or, use some JB Weld in the stem, formed with the bullet of choice. I've also made custom stems from an aluminum rod. For pistols I frequently just used the SWC stem. It left a slight flat spot on some bullets, but, this wasn't for BR shooting.
FYI, I usually did not have top punches for my pistol cast bullets. I sized with a push through die.
I did use the std Lee flaring tool when loading cast. For pistols it rarely caused a problem for me. Never had issues with leading from a bullet 'sized' by the case. For rifles I always used gas check bullets. I suppose the gas checks prevented any 'sizing' by the case neck.
Last time I loaded cast bullets for my rifle I was using a Redding competition seating die. Didn't leave a mark on the bullets.
FYI, I usually did not have top punches for my pistol cast bullets. I sized with a push through die.
I did use the std Lee flaring tool when loading cast. For pistols it rarely caused a problem for me. Never had issues with leading from a bullet 'sized' by the case. For rifles I always used gas check bullets. I suppose the gas checks prevented any 'sizing' by the case neck.
Last time I loaded cast bullets for my rifle I was using a Redding competition seating die. Didn't leave a mark on the bullets.
DHD
Silver $$ Contributor
Maybe I am misunderstanding the OP a little, but I have and use about 6 of those LEE dies and have bought probably 10ish (probably more) NOE expanders that drop into the LEE body. NOE designed their 2 diameter expanders for this die. I have a specific NOE expander in a LEE die in each revolver cartridge die set box.
The NOE expanders are designed for cast bullets as NOE was/is a cast bullet mould maker (I suspect everyone already knew that). Yes, similar to a Lyman M die expander, but more specific. You could/can (thought they were going out of business) order your expander plug to the .001" for each step on the plug. If you are going to the trouble of casting perfect bullets, then trying to size your perfect bullets to fit your revolver throats, you don't want to let your undersized cases to resize those bullets further. You also don't want your cases to be oversized for heavy cast bullets loads.
I even have one of these dies set-ups for 300 Blackout for expanding cases for those short flat based 30 caliber bullets for supersonic loads.
I apologize Mr Lambreth for getting the bit between my teeth on my reply to your OP. I am just a fan of the NOE expanders for loading cast bullets and feel they are the best widget for use with cast bullets.
The NOE expanders are designed for cast bullets as NOE was/is a cast bullet mould maker (I suspect everyone already knew that). Yes, similar to a Lyman M die expander, but more specific. You could/can (thought they were going out of business) order your expander plug to the .001" for each step on the plug. If you are going to the trouble of casting perfect bullets, then trying to size your perfect bullets to fit your revolver throats, you don't want to let your undersized cases to resize those bullets further. You also don't want your cases to be oversized for heavy cast bullets loads.
I even have one of these dies set-ups for 300 Blackout for expanding cases for those short flat based 30 caliber bullets for supersonic loads.
I apologize Mr Lambreth for getting the bit between my teeth on my reply to your OP. I am just a fan of the NOE expanders for loading cast bullets and feel they are the best widget for use with cast bullets.
fatelvis
Silver $$ Contributor
Since I used the Lyman style expanders I've never looked back. The accurate start of seating and consistent pullet pull has noticeably improved my long range handgun shooting. God bless NOE for introducing those wonderfully inexpensive mandrels/ expanders for the Lee expander!
Similar threads
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.