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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,582
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,582 |
Recently obtained...a box of 357 stuff at the Palmer gun show. Included is an M die. My Lee expander die scratches the brass so I thought this would be a fix. Before loading some 357s, I wanted to try some Lee Stoner 280 gr 35s for the 35W. Fiddling around with the 357 die, I could adjust the die for the rifle cartridge. This worked so well I will be ordering more M dies for other lead shooting calibers that I load for. What has your experience been with M dies? I have had one gifted to me 12 years ago for my wife's 7/08 but just filed it away in the big box of 7MM stuff. If you want a big box of stuff buy your wife a rifle, it seems everyone will chip in brass, dies, slings... and what have you.
Watch 'Yer Topknot!
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,652 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,652 Likes: 1 |
Yep, they improved the accuracy of several of my loads and they sure improved the speed at which I can make ammo.
Save money: buy 2 M dies (one short, one long) and then get the expander plugs.
I bought pretty much an entire set to cover calibers that I didn't even have because shipping was going to be a big part of my order (I ordered direct from Lyman years ago, but Midway carries this stuff to a much better extent now).
John
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 19,822
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 19,822 |
Well, Your best friend has been using them for over twenty years and figured you knew all about them, thus he didn't mention them to you.   Ed
"Not in an open forum, where truth has less value than opinions, where all opinions are equally welcome regardless of their origins, rationale, inanity, or truth, where opinions are neither of equal value nor decisive." Ken Howell
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,582
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,582 |
Ed is the source of the un-used gift 7/08 M die. The Lyman catalog no longer lists the expander only option. Checked Midway almost zero availability on dies and no mention of expander only available.
Watch 'Yer Topknot!
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,582
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,582 |
Surprise results for the 35 W cast rangetime yesterday. The M die produced very small groups with a 170 gr GC hardcast. While only tested at 50 yards, the groups were round and about 1/2 " 32 gr of 2015, M die conditioned Federal formed but unfired brass. Also tried 180 gr XTP = accuracy, WLR primers. Unfortunatly the much prized 280 GR RN over 40.0 of Varget produced 1.5" groups. Chrono numbers next trip to the range. 150 yard backstop off hand groups hand sized. Doug 2+ feet into the sand and rock and could not recover one of those 280s.
Powders on hand : RE7, 748, Varget RE15 and 2015. Any pet loads for the big RN 35s?
Watch 'Yer Topknot!
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 80
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 80 |
Buffalo Arms Co sells custom expander plugs for the M die. You can specify the diameter of the two steps.
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