31 March 2009, 07:46
MasteriflemanExpander Die
Does anyone manufacture a die that has a stepped expander rod for necking cases up? I have a lot of .243 cases and I need to neck them up to at least .25 cal to reform them to 6 M/M Cheetah. I would like this for a number of other case forming chores also and I don't want to by a caliber specific die to do it. Any help would be appreciated.
31 March 2009, 08:42
ramrod340I just stick a tapered expander in my 243 die
31 March 2009, 10:41
buffybrYears ago I bought a Lyman expander die that came with an expander plug that would flair the mouth of a .30-06 case to accept cast bullets. Since then I have had other needs to expand case necks and/or mouths, so I made my own expander plugs to fit in the Lyman expander die.
I've made 8 or 9 expander plugs by turning down bolts using an electric drill and a bench grinder and/or file. I file the plug to the diameter I want to expand to and file a long radius on the nose of the plug to make a smooth expansion of the case neck. I file the back of the plug down to a 3/16"x1/2" shaft that is threaded to fit in the Lyman expander die. I've made various plugs from .25 cal. to .375 cal.
I recently made a 7mm to .375" expander plug to fit in a RCBS .375 RUM size die. With it I expanded fifty .300 RUM cases to .375 RUM in one step, and without splitting or annealing. I liberally lube the inside of the case neck with Imperial sizing lube before I expand it.
The expander plugs are not difficult to make, and I can usually make one in 30 to 60 minutes.
31 March 2009, 10:54
SR4759If you have a 257 collet type bullet puller put a long spire point bullet in it and use the bullet as an expander.
31 March 2009, 16:19
MasteriflemanThanks for your suggestions, I appreciate the replies.
31 March 2009, 16:37
arkypeteCheck out Redding.
I got an expander die to take 30-06 to 375 in one shot.
Jim
01 April 2009, 03:27
Winchester 69Sinclair has an expander die that uses replaceable inserts for caliber. I believe RCBS has something along these lines also.
12 April 2009, 18:01
K. W.There is LEE Universal Expander die .22 Hornet-.458 WinMag. It is very cheap too.
