NFDS 38/357 case expander
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2022 12:12 am
I am still playing with my latest purchase a Lee APP Press in 38 special. I have been able to use it with out any issues to full length size 38 special on the press. Then prime the cases off the press.
I am currently trying to set it up to expand the case necks on the press.
I will then powder charge the cases then feed the cases individually and seat the bullets.
The press works fine the four tube feed thing works fine the plastic case feeder is a pain in the but. I am constantly adjusting it currently out of 50 cases processed at least 8 cases will end up spat out or jammed in the feeder.
But I am taking note and may be I can come up with a fix.But currently it takes roughly 5 minutes to resize and de prime 50 cases.
Any way I am currently working on expanding the cases to accept a lead bullet. I am a fan of the Lyman type of expander and the NOE offerings are a good alternative. I have lost my Lyman offering so I have been using a NFDS case neck expander.
The NDFS expander is similar to the Lyman only better. I have had the NDFS three die set for ever and I still like to use them. The dies are steel not carbide but they still work well.
The issue is the NDFS die threaded part is longer than your normal dies and definitely longer than the Lee dies also the expander plug is really long. So using the die on the APP press fouls the press handle and the lock ring rubs up against the guide on the back of the press.
So after some soul searching I have decided to alter the case expanding die to suit so it will fit on the APP press it means shortening the die body and shortening the threaded part of the expander and reducing the size of the lock ring.
So its penciled in for tomorrow. (Sunday but more likely to be Monday)
I am currently trying to set it up to expand the case necks on the press.
I will then powder charge the cases then feed the cases individually and seat the bullets.
The press works fine the four tube feed thing works fine the plastic case feeder is a pain in the but. I am constantly adjusting it currently out of 50 cases processed at least 8 cases will end up spat out or jammed in the feeder.
But I am taking note and may be I can come up with a fix.But currently it takes roughly 5 minutes to resize and de prime 50 cases.
Any way I am currently working on expanding the cases to accept a lead bullet. I am a fan of the Lyman type of expander and the NOE offerings are a good alternative. I have lost my Lyman offering so I have been using a NFDS case neck expander.
The NDFS expander is similar to the Lyman only better. I have had the NDFS three die set for ever and I still like to use them. The dies are steel not carbide but they still work well.
The issue is the NDFS die threaded part is longer than your normal dies and definitely longer than the Lee dies also the expander plug is really long. So using the die on the APP press fouls the press handle and the lock ring rubs up against the guide on the back of the press.
So after some soul searching I have decided to alter the case expanding die to suit so it will fit on the APP press it means shortening the die body and shortening the threaded part of the expander and reducing the size of the lock ring.
So its penciled in for tomorrow. (Sunday but more likely to be Monday)