Cherokee
Medina, Ohio
99% of my handgun reloading is with cast bullets and I have not been pleased with the Dillon factory powder funnels case expanding results because the dimensions are designed for jacketed bullets. I have had to separately expand the cases using Lyman M dies before loading on the Dillon 650 or 550B, I think some comments by members 358156hp and Brad, as well as there being aftermarket products, indicate people are aware of this. However, the aftermarket examples I have still do not completely satisfy. Below is a picture of the three aftermarket examples I have, A,B & C from left to right.
A – For 45 ACP. The body is .450” and the M step .452”, but will not flare the case mouth.
B – For 9mm. The body is .355” and the M step is .357”, but will not flare the case mouth. Also, the length of the .355 body is too long for 9mm, it bulges the case below the bullet base.
C – For 38/357M. The body is .355” and the M step is .357”, and will flare the case mouth. However, the length of the .355” body is short, like for 9mm rather than 38/357.
I like the design of C except for the shortness of the .355 body, which I think should be .356. Since all my 38/357 cast bullets are of .358 size, I would think an M step of .358 or .359 would be better. I do not understand why an M style like A & B would not also be capable of putting a flare on the case mouth like C.
I would appreciate thoughts from the members.
A – For 45 ACP. The body is .450” and the M step .452”, but will not flare the case mouth.
B – For 9mm. The body is .355” and the M step is .357”, but will not flare the case mouth. Also, the length of the .355 body is too long for 9mm, it bulges the case below the bullet base.
C – For 38/357M. The body is .355” and the M step is .357”, and will flare the case mouth. However, the length of the .355” body is short, like for 9mm rather than 38/357.
I like the design of C except for the shortness of the .355 body, which I think should be .356. Since all my 38/357 cast bullets are of .358 size, I would think an M step of .358 or .359 would be better. I do not understand why an M style like A & B would not also be capable of putting a flare on the case mouth like C.
I would appreciate thoughts from the members.
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