[Kart29]

Is there any difference twixt the two? Which would you recommend and why?

 

[janott]

Is there any difference twixt the two? Which would you recommend and why?

I have both for different calibers and the Lyman is better made but it doesn't take much to just expand a case. Cost would be the deciding factor for most.

 

[Ranch Dog]

I use the Lee simply because of what janott stated.... it doesn't take much to expand a case. I do have a bunch of them. Everyone of my die sets are mounted on a turret for either my turret press or Load Master and if that set does not have a Powder through Exander die, it has the Universal Expanded die. I have about 15 of those dies.

 

[80hp]

Differences:
Lee: Flairs the mouth of the case. Length of the case is critical for uniform results.
Lyman 'M': Flairs the mouth of the case and expands the entire neck of the case. It is less critical of case length variations.

For thin walled, long neck, black powder era cases like .32-20, the 'M' die would work best. Die sets that use the 'M' do not have an expander ball in the sizing die. The expander ball tends to stretch the cases.
For modern cartridges with thicker brass and short necks, either would work.
M.

 

[358 Win]

I like the "M" die from Lyman because it helps align the bullet straight for seating due the "step" it puts in the case neck. The "step" is adjustable
as to how far you want to go down into the neck from the mouth of the case. When I don't have an "M" die for a caliber I want to seat cast bullets into, the Lee type is just fine!
358 Win

 

[wreckhog]

Anybody try these custom plugs? Seems like it might save a step.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/2,405.html

I am having trouble understanding what the rhyme or reason is for some of the graduations, but am looking at this for 30-30, and thinking this can handle bullets .305-.315 depending on how far you screw it in.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,3238.html

 

[Ranch Dog]

Anybody try these custom plugs? Seems like it might save a step.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/2,405.html

I am having trouble understanding what the rhyme or reason is for some of the graduations, but am looking at this for 30-30, and thinking this can handle bullets .305-.315 depending on how far you screw it in.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,3238.html

If you are using Lee dies for the 30-30, you can order a larger expanded that will solve the issue without using another die. I will look for that post later today.