Author Topic: Belling the Case (Read 613 times)

jh45gun · « **on:** July 20, 2004, 04:36:16 PM »

Ok guys with my 45/70 dies (Lee) it is not a problem as the dies are designed to bell the case for cast loads. What about my bottle neck loads like 30/30/ 308/ 8mm ect do I have to buy M dies for all of them or is there a other solution? Speed is not a issue as I am using a Lee hand press for all my loading I like the better "feel" I get with it. Jim

jhalcott · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:51:27 PM »

Some guys use any thing even a pair of needle nose pliers to bell the case.Maybe I'm to rich or some thing ,but I like a nice even bell. The kind I get with the "M" die. I have used an expander from a larger cartridge on occasion though! jh

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2004, 06:08:24 PM »

Bunch of answers, JH.

Lee makes something called the "Universal Expander Die". It's a belling die, not an expander, but it's pretty close to universal and does a nice job. Costs about $10.

I do my .30 cal stuff with an adapter kit Lyman makes to mount a powder measure. The hollow expander for .32 pistols is just right for .311-.312 cast. You probably do the same thing with a Lee pistol .32 expander die. these let you bell and charge in one step. It's a little tricky getting those high enough for some rifle cases, though.

I got by for years with a heavy center punch and a .50 BMG bullet. Just make sure whatever you have handy with a taper on it is straight up and down when you tap it, and you'll be OK.

jh45gun · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2004, 07:33:04 PM »

Will check out that Lee die thanks!

Nobade · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2004, 02:37:58 AM »

I second the Lee die. I have been using one now for a few months, and it really does work well and is cheap. Kind of fussy to change calibers on, but it still takes less than 5 minutes to set it up for pretty much anything.

Robert357 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2004, 11:39:10 AM »

To bell the mouth of my reduced load rifle cast bullet loads, I use a homemade steel center punch that has a nice taper to it. It was made of 1 inche round stock and tapers down to a point. The handle is 1 inch in diameter.

It really doesn't take much of a case mouth flare to accomodate a lead cast bullet. I have used it mostly on 7.62x54 R russian, but also on 30-30 and an ocasional 30-06. Again, it is really pretty easy to use. As such I wouldn't consider spending money on a special die.

Tom W. · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2004, 05:18:56 PM »

I bought an RCBS flaring die for my .30 cal. cast loads. I ain't too fond of Lyman products.

Dand · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2004, 10:05:59 PM »

I sure like my Lyman M dies. I feel like I put less wear on the case mouths and I like how the bullets slip in. I just wish they'd make one for the 348 win. I use an RCBS expander for it and I don't like it as much.