Need help with new to me Lyman dies

M3mh0g · May 8, 2013, 08:28 AM

I was just gifted an old set of Lyman .30 carbine dies. It was a three die set. Each of the dies is marked what they are; sizer, exp, seater. I've only been doing this reloading for about a year and only used new dies so far. I took the dies apart and have them a good bath in CLP. I noticed the outside of the decapping pin had threads on it and in the box was this small piece that look like a case expander that got on these threads perfectly with the decapping pin sticking slightly out of the bottom. The decapper will not fit into the sizing die with this piece I stalled, but it will fit in the exp die. So my question is do I have an incomplete set of dies, or do I remove the decapping collet from the sizing dies and move it to the expander die when the sizing process is complete?

wncchester · May 8, 2013, 09:19 AM

Decap and expand in the same die body.

**Unclenick** · May 8, 2013, 12:52 PM

Yes. Those dies predate progressive presses and powder-through expander dies, so it didn't matter which station decapped as long as you primed before adding powder.

jepp2 · May 8, 2013, 03:52 PM

If you are going to load very much of the the 30 carbine, an addition you will value is a carbide sizer die link

30 Carbine tend to size fairly hard. The carbide die still benefits from using case lube, but it significantly reduces the effort to size brass.

May 8, 2013, 08:28 AM	#1
M3mh0g Member Join Date: January 31, 2012 Posts: 22	Need help with new to me Lyman dies I was just gifted an old set of Lyman .30 carbine dies. It was a three die set. Each of the dies is marked what they are; sizer, exp, seater. I've only been doing this reloading for about a year and only used new dies so far. I took the dies apart and have them a good bath in CLP. I noticed the outside of the decapping pin had threads on it and in the box was this small piece that look like a case expander that got on these threads perfectly with the decapping pin sticking slightly out of the bottom. The decapper will not fit into the sizing die with this piece I stalled, but it will fit in the exp die. So my question is do I have an incomplete set of dies, or do I remove the decapping collet from the sizing dies and move it to the expander die when the sizing process is complete?

May 8, 2013, 12:52 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	Yes. Those dies predate progressive presses and powder-through expander dies, so it didn't matter which station decapped as long as you primed before adding powder. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

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May 8, 2013, 09:19 AM	#2
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	Decap and expand in the same die body.

May 8, 2013, 03:52 PM	#4
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	If you are going to load very much of the the 30 carbine, an addition you will value is a carbide sizer die link 30 Carbine tend to size fairly hard. The carbide die still benefits from using case lube, but it significantly reduces the effort to size brass.