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williakw
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Mike B.
williakw
Are you basically following the Lee universal case expansion die instructions for setting up the short case lengths for cartridge cases like the 9 MM luger?
If not how are you setting up the expanders that you have in the Lee die body?
Personally I have never had an issue such as you describe…
Take Care & Stay Safe…
williakw
Mike B
Thanks for the reply. I am following the Lee universal case expanding die instructions, using configuration L/S with the NOE expander in place of the lower Lee expander shown in the diagram. The adjusting screw is turned in so the NOE expander is bottomed out in the case expansion die body. The shell holder is close to contact with the die body with the ram up. I can load ammunition with this configuration. However, the larger diameter of the expander barely if at all enters the case.williakw
9 MM luger bullets are normally .355 not .358 in diameter.
That larger diameter (I believe .358 dia was mentioned) on the expanders that you mentioned …
That could potentially be a cartridge case belling issue for you.
Not being able to get those particular cartridge case expanders of your choice into those 9 MM cartridge cases to bell the cartridge cases … as you see fit..
.357 & .358 expander diameters are normally more for the 38 Special & the 357 Mag…
.360 + expander diameters are normally for the 38 S&W…
Each of those cartridges types is basically an entity unto itself… one size does not normally fit all…
Below is the link to SAAMI pistol cartridges… Cartridge & Chamber Specs
The SAAMI Cartridge & Chamber specs might potentially be of assistance to you.
Remember also that the 9 MM is a tapered cartridge cast … not a straight cartridge case as the other types noted above… Therefore the base of the cartridge case next to the rim never gets sized.
Finally the 9 MM like most semi auto cartridges head spaces on the cartridge case mouth, and therefore needs to be taper crimped not roll crimped….
If you decide that you need more help … PM me with the specifics, & I will endeavor to help you in that regard…
Take Care, & Stay Safe…
The PC coated lead bullet I am discussing has a measured diameter of .3565. The smaller diameter of the expander measures .3540. As I understand it, the PEP.358x.354 expander I used is intended for a .356 bullet. The .354 portion provides an interference fit between the bullet and case to provide bullet retention. The .358 portion is intended to provide the front of the case with a non-interference fit to aid the start of bullet seating. The Lee tapered expander is used to put a bell on the very front of the case. If any of this information other than the diameter of my bullet is incorrect, please advise.
I have successfully loaded and fired ammunition for several shooting range visits utilizing this configuration. I use minimal taper crimp. My concerns with the expander are:
1. I get no .358 diameter section at the front of the case since that portion of the die doesn’t enter the case.
2. It may turn out that the case won’t be expanded all the way to the base of the bullet if I decide to try long bullets.williakw
Your explanation as to the workings of the expanders would be just as effective if you were using the original Lee expanding die with the original Lee part… for that diameter range..
The standard Lee expander components have for all intense and purposes … a straight taper and thus can bell the case too little or too much with a rather limited range of taper depth adjustment…
The NOE expanders tend to act more as a finer vernier to the normal Lee component in the belling endeavor… with each version adaptable within the range of the NOE taper…
Thus there are a goodly variety of expanders offered… A number are also labeled as Auto Pistol…
Thus no one size fits all…
As for a 9 MM Luger cartridge… The expander that you referenced, choose to purchase, & utilize is basically optimized for a specific type of cartridge – bullet diameter … & a taper range.
Your Call on what you think does the best job for you …
Yes .354 as a minimum will definitely start to enter the 9 MM cartridge case and bell said case… all be it at somewhere around a quarter to a third of the expansion taper range of the NOE expander was designed for that you referenced… 9 x 19, 9 x 21, & 9 x 23…
I have no doubt that one can setup to bell to the extent that you wish to bell, & assemble 9 MM Luger with what you are doing…
If you look at the dimensions, and the taper range noted on the NOE expanders … then you may hopefully see what I am trying to say to you…
I will leave you to it…
Take Care, & Stay Safe…
Via recent phone discussion, the NOE representative indicated auto pistol expanders are intended for loading 9mm Luger.
Both regular and auto pistol expanders in 9mm sizes have the same overall dimensions. The difference between the 2 is that the smaller diameter surface extends further up the expander on the non-auto pistol version, in comparison to the auto pistol version. Thus, the larger diameter portion of the auto pistol expander will enter the Luger case and leave a M-Die step.
Mike B.- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.