Lyman M Die

RobertS · September 22, 2008, 10:44 PM

Are the Lyman M Dies better for cast bullets? I have read they are great for such bullets, but I always like to hear real world experience from other folks.

Using my current expanding die, it appears that the bullet doesn't always seat straight due to the round belling on the case. As the bullet is seated it becomes undersized and un-round by the time it reaches seating depth. I have pulled several bullets from un-crimped cases to verify that a sized, lubed and round .452 bullet becomes a swaggered down and un-round .450/.451 bullet. Also noted from Lyman, the M die's plug works deeper in the case than other dies which looks to be possibly more of the issue than the round belling. I had set my current expanding die to flare the case enough to just have the base a bullet fit in the case and did test with seating depth. I found that the further I seated the softer bullets the worse things became. I see this more in the 45 auto as I cast my bullets softer at about 11-13 bhn. Having a bullet undersized is a huge problem for accuracy and leading which are actually very much interrelated.

Any opinions on the Lyman M Dies?

Scorch · September 22, 2008, 11:05 PM

One advantage to the Lyman M die is that it does not just flare the mouth of the case, it enlarges a portion of the case about 1/16" deep to allow the bullet to be started into the case. Another advantage is that it does not shave lead nearly as bad as other dies.

**Unclenick** · September 23, 2008, 09:34 AM

Any Lyman M design patent has long been expired. Redding uses that expander profile now, too. I'm sure others do also, but don't know who, off the top of my head? It lets the bullet start in straighter than a standard bell flare. Bullet tip affects cast bullet accuracy much more that jacket bullets because the lead bullets tend to swage into the bore at whatever angle they start out at, while jackets are hard enough to realign the bullet most of the way as it enters the throat.

WESHOOT2 · September 23, 2008, 11:26 AM

I always started with a Lyman 4-die Deluxe set; I still most highly recommend them as a first or only set.

(Not only does it 'flare' right, one may install a powder measure on top, reducing steps).

BigJakeJ1s · September 23, 2008, 09:48 PM

Not all Lyman M dies are hollow for use with a PM.

Andy

RobertS · September 23, 2008, 10:49 PM

Lyman M Dies are not hollow, but their Multi-Expand/Powder Charge Die System is.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/index.htm

HOGGHEAD · September 24, 2008, 01:13 AM

I have one for every cartridge that I reload cast bullets in. The die just works. Tom.

September 22, 2008, 10:44 PM	#1
RobertS Junior Member Join Date: August 2, 2008 Posts: 13	Lyman M Die Are the Lyman M Dies better for cast bullets? I have read they are great for such bullets, but I always like to hear real world experience from other folks. Using my current expanding die, it appears that the bullet doesn't always seat straight due to the round belling on the case. As the bullet is seated it becomes undersized and un-round by the time it reaches seating depth. I have pulled several bullets from un-crimped cases to verify that a sized, lubed and round .452 bullet becomes a swaggered down and un-round .450/.451 bullet. Also noted from Lyman, the M die's plug works deeper in the case than other dies which looks to be possibly more of the issue than the round belling. I had set my current expanding die to flare the case enough to just have the base a bullet fit in the case and did test with seating depth. I found that the further I seated the softer bullets the worse things became. I see this more in the 45 auto as I cast my bullets softer at about 11-13 bhn. Having a bullet undersized is a huge problem for accuracy and leading which are actually very much interrelated. Any opinions on the Lyman M Dies?

September 22, 2008, 11:05 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	One advantage to the Lyman M die is that it does not just flare the mouth of the case, it enlarges a portion of the case about 1/16" deep to allow the bullet to be started into the case. Another advantage is that it does not shave lead nearly as bad as other dies. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 23, 2008, 09:34 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	Any Lyman M design patent has long been expired. Redding uses that expander profile now, too. I'm sure others do also, but don't know who, off the top of my head? It lets the bullet start in straighter than a standard bell flare. Bullet tip affects cast bullet accuracy much more that jacket bullets because the lead bullets tend to swage into the bore at whatever angle they start out at, while jackets are hard enough to realign the bullet most of the way as it enters the throat. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 23, 2008, 11:26 AM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	absolutely I always started with a Lyman 4-die Deluxe set; I still most highly recommend them as a first or only set. (Not only does it 'flare' right, one may install a powder measure on top, reducing steps). __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

September 24, 2008, 01:13 AM	#7
HOGGHEAD Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2008 Location: Rivesville, WV Posts: 637	M-Die I have one for every cartridge that I reload cast bullets in. The die just works. Tom.

September 23, 2008, 09:48 PM	#5
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	Not all Lyman M dies are hollow for use with a PM. Andy

September 23, 2008, 10:49 PM	#6
RobertS Junior Member Join Date: August 2, 2008 Posts: 13	Lyman M Dies are not hollow, but their Multi-Expand/Powder Charge Die System is. http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/index.htm