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Dies

Posted: 18 Dec 2018 16:11
by Ohio3Wheels
I probably have die sets from most leading manufacturers and they all do their intended jobs, but now and then I come by something that makes me wonder. Case in point last night I was starting to work on some 30-06 for the M-1 and had cause to take the expander rod out of the full length sizer from my Lee RGB set. I was surprised at the length of the expander section of the rod and really need to ask if anyone has an idea as to why it's so long. As full length sizing dies go it seems to take more effort and cause more drag on the neck even with previously cleaned cases.

Things that make you go hmmmmm :D

Make smoke,

Re: Dies

Posted: 18 Dec 2018 18:54
by daboone
I have Herters, Forster, Redding, RCBS, CHD4 and Lee, mostly Lee. Honestly I can't tell the difference. I do actually like the Hornady and RCBS seating a little better. But I admit minute of beer/soda can works for hunting and plinking and the Lee seating dies do that too.

I know that the Lee rifle dies with their expander dies are gentler on brass than the others i've used. Being a cheap old ornery retired SOgun I like preserving brass.

Re: Dies

Posted: 19 Dec 2018 19:56
by RBHarter
The long taper should be great for neck ups . The actual sizer section length is about the same from most makers .

Re: Dies

Posted: 20 Dec 2018 15:38
by Ohio3Wheels
I'd agree but it didn't seem to be tapered. I'll have to pull it out and look again. It just seems to be that it takes more effort to get the case out of the die than it did sizing it and it seems to be expander drag that's the cause.

Make smoke,

Re: Dies

Posted: 21 Dec 2018 06:11
by Ranch Dog
I'd be interested in seeing a picture of it.

Re: Dies

Posted: 22 Dec 2018 14:14
by Ohio3Wheels
I'll see what I can do.

Curt

Re: Dies

Posted: 22 Dec 2018 16:50
by Ohio3Wheels
Hopefully attached is a picture of the decap/expnd rod from the Lee 30/06 set I have. According to my mic both ends of the fat section are .307.

Make smoke,

Try again
lee 3006 expandr_Web.jpg

Re: Dies

Posted: 22 Dec 2018 19:34
by RBHarter
Looks like the "unbreakable" pin . Later pins have a longer taper from 4-5 calibers to specified caliber with the doughnut about 3/4 of the way up . Looks like that one is more like .290 to .305 to .295 . It looks straight but has a reverse hour glass shape .

Re: Dies

Posted: 23 Dec 2018 06:06
by Ranch Dog
Did you buy the die set new? It looks like a shade tree tool maker product to me. No way that is a current Lee Ez-Xpander!

Image

Re: Dies

Posted: 23 Dec 2018 08:19
by Macd
Ranch Dog wrote:Did you buy the die set new? It looks like a shade tree tool maker product to me. No way that is a current Lee Ez-Xpander!

]
Agree it looks like a replacement pin. Perhaps a turned down mandrill from a neck sizing die?