case mouth bell-Lee clas. turret

codger · July 21, 2008, 11:57 AM

I have recently started reloading 45 acp. I'm not new to reloading (started 1965), but this is my first attempt at pistol handloads. I am having trouble getting the bell right, the bullet seems to be mis-aligned somewhat & the case is deformed, or when I open the bell a little so the bullet is seated properly, there is a problem with the powder-through expanding die. The die flares the case, drops the powder charge, and then on the upstroke it takes a very hard lift to decompress the flare and this sometimes spills powder from the case. Will remounting the press to a sturdier bench cure the problem or am I not adjusting the die properly? Codger

snuffy · July 21, 2008, 12:31 PM

The tapered portion of the lee expanders is sometimes very rough. What most do is take the expander plug/powder though expander, out of the die and spin it with some fine emery cloth or sandpaper. This should smooth out the rough finish, preventing it from hanging onto the case.

None of my lee dies have ever done this, but it seems to be a common problem now.

codger · July 21, 2008, 01:35 PM

Thanks for the info Snuffy, I'll try that.

UnderDawgAl · July 21, 2008, 06:11 PM

I had the exact same problem 3 times yesterday while using my Lee dies to reload .38 Spl. After the first time, I took the expander out of the die, cleaned both the die and expander plug completely, reassembled, and kept reloading. Ten rounds later, another stuck case.

Grabbed different .38/.357 Lee expander die, inserted it, adjusted it, and continued reloading. Less than 10 rounds later, yet another stuck case.

Funny thing is, I've reloaded about 2,000 rounds with the dies with no problems. I keep it set to flare just enough to seat a bullet on top.

Looks like I'm going to try to polish the expander plugs on those two dies, as others have suggested, to see if that smooths them out.

Note that the Lee dies are 20 years old, but have seen only about 2,000 rounds through them. The problem does not just lie with recently produced dies.

July 21, 2008, 11:57 AM	#1
codger Junior Member Join Date: August 16, 2007 Location: Jakes Run, WV Posts: 2	case mouth bell-Lee clas. turret I have recently started reloading 45 acp. I'm not new to reloading (started 1965), but this is my first attempt at pistol handloads. I am having trouble getting the bell right, the bullet seems to be mis-aligned somewhat & the case is deformed, or when I open the bell a little so the bullet is seated properly, there is a problem with the powder-through expanding die. The die flares the case, drops the powder charge, and then on the upstroke it takes a very hard lift to decompress the flare and this sometimes spills powder from the case. Will remounting the press to a sturdier bench cure the problem or am I not adjusting the die properly? Codger

July 21, 2008, 12:31 PM	#2
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	The tapered portion of the lee expanders is sometimes very rough. What most do is take the expander plug/powder though expander, out of the die and spin it with some fine emery cloth or sandpaper. This should smooth out the rough finish, preventing it from hanging onto the case. None of my lee dies have ever done this, but it seems to be a common problem now. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

July 21, 2008, 01:35 PM	#3
codger Junior Member Join Date: August 16, 2007 Location: Jakes Run, WV Posts: 2	case mouth bell Thanks for the info Snuffy, I'll try that.

July 21, 2008, 06:11 PM	#4
UnderDawgAl Member Join Date: October 27, 2004 Location: VA Posts: 37	I had the exact same problem 3 times yesterday while using my Lee dies to reload .38 Spl. After the first time, I took the expander out of the die, cleaned both the die and expander plug completely, reassembled, and kept reloading. Ten rounds later, another stuck case. Grabbed different .38/.357 Lee expander die, inserted it, adjusted it, and continued reloading. Less than 10 rounds later, yet another stuck case. Funny thing is, I've reloaded about 2,000 rounds with the dies with no problems. I keep it set to flare just enough to seat a bullet on top. Looks like I'm going to try to polish the expander plugs on those two dies, as others have suggested, to see if that smooths them out. Note that the Lee dies are 20 years old, but have seen only about 2,000 rounds through them. The problem does not just lie with recently produced dies.