.38 Special Dillon case expander?

by javaduke Sat Jan 06, 2018 6:53 pm

Well, I just got my new XL650, and I love it - except one thing. I'm loading .38 Spl HBWC and the expander that comes with the Dillon powder die just doesn't seem right. It opens up the case mouth but I can just barely start the bullet. When I was loading on my Lee press, I could push the bullet approximately half way down before seating it. Is it normal? Or are there aftermarket expanders that work better than Dillon's?

by james r chapman Sat Jan 06, 2018 6:55 pm

Aftermarket available on eBay
https://www.ebay.com/sch/rrpmi/m.html

by javaduke Sat Jan 06, 2018 8:47 pm

Thanks, James, I check the seller's listings and I only saw the expander for .45. I sent him a message and asked if .38 expanders are also available.
I just loaded 100 rounds and there was a lot of lead shavings there.

by Sc0 Sat Jan 06, 2018 9:13 pm

Sent him another message asking the same. Maybe he will do a run for us?

by Multiracer Sun Jan 07, 2018 4:25 pm

I have a dedicated 38 machine, but I could be a customer for my Dillon. let us know how it progresses.

by james r chapman Sun Jan 07, 2018 4:26 pm

I just use a Lee disc measure mounted on my 550B. easier to make various size expanding inserts.

by Multiracer Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:34 pm

Got a picture by chance ? I have heard something like this but don't quite follow.

by kjanracing Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:29 pm

H load on a 550. Case bells enough to set the HBWC on and hold it on the way into the seating die. No lead shaving unless the bullet goes up sideways. That’s my fault.

by james r chapman Mon Jan 08, 2018 6:20 am

Multiracer wrote:Got a picture by chance ? I have heard something like this but don't quite follow.

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by javaduke Mon Jan 08, 2018 1:38 pm

OK, folks, I guess my problem is elsewhere. I still use the factory Dillon expander, just adjusted it little bit further and now I can push the bullet a bit further before seating it.

HOWEVER - I'm still getting a lot of lead shavings after the crimping station. My crimp is .372 which is the same as the Remington factory ammo, but it seems like the Lee factory crimp die that I use crushes the top rim of the bullet. Any idea why that may be? Is .372 too much of a crimp?

I also ordered seater and expander inserts from Uniquetek, maybe they will work better.

As far as the Lee disk measure, I used it before and it wasn't very consistent.

by james r chapman Mon Jan 08, 2018 2:16 pm

With what powder.

by javaduke Mon Jan 08, 2018 2:17 pm

james r chapman wrote:With what powder.

2.8gr BE, as prescribed Smile

by james r chapman Mon Jan 08, 2018 6:23 pm

Well, great.
I find the Lee simpler and as accurate as the Dillon and much easier to adjust for various calibers and charges.
But, that is why we have opinions.

by javaduke Mon Jan 08, 2018 6:55 pm

Hmm, ok, folks, it's getting interesting Smile

What I thought were lead shavings are, in fact, tiny pieces of dry lube that are squeezed out by the crimping. So no problem here. Still not happy with the expander though, I think I have too much of it, and getting some cracked cases. Tried to reduce it but having a hard time starting a bullet. I ordered the powder funnel from Uniquetek, hope it will solve the problem. What I didn't mention is that I use Remington bullets, apparently they have a slightly bigger diameter at the bottom than other bullets, like Zero or Magnus.

by james r chapman Mon Jan 08, 2018 7:57 pm

javaduke wrote:Hmm, ok, folks, it's getting interesting What I thought were lead shavings are, in fact, tiny pieces of dry lube that are squeezed out by the crimping. So no problem here. Still not happy with the expander though, I think I have too much of it, and getting some cracked cases. Tried to reduce it but having a hard time starting a bullet. I ordered the powder funnel from Uniquetek, hope it will solve the problem. What I didn't mention is that I use Remington bullets, apparently they have a slightly bigger diameter at the bottom than other bullets, like Zero or Magnus.

Uh, YEAH...

LOL

You need an expander for a .360 bullet. sizes about 1/2 the length to .360, 1/2 to about .357.

by javaduke Mon Jan 08, 2018 9:04 pm

I see, so there's really no option other than ordering a custom one, correct? I still haven't heard from the ebay seller you pointed me to.

by Multiracer Mon Jan 08, 2018 9:33 pm

james r chapman wrote:
Multiracer wrote:Got a picture by chance ? I have heard something like this but don't quite follow.

Thanks Jim,
Are you dropping powder manually from that ?

by james r chapman Mon Jan 08, 2018 9:40 pm

No, it has a spring loaded device much like the dillon does.

by jglenn21 Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:50 pm

.38 Special Dillon case expander? Dillon10

here are two of the Dillon M style powder funnels.. the one on the left is for 38 super/9mm

the two steps measure .352 and .356

the one on the right is the custom funnel I got for 38 Special. it measure .355 and .358.. I don't load many of the Remington bullets

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