Lee’s instructions can be confusing when it comes to the setup of their pistol reloading die sets. But you need to consider that these dies are used in a variety of presses.

This is our way of setting Lee pistol reloading dies…tried and tested over thousands of reloads.

As always follow safe reloading practices.


Handgun Powder Trough Expanding Die Setup.

If you are setting up on a progressive press ensure that your Sizing die is setup correctly.

Ensure that the expanding plug is installed in the die. Give it a wipe to ensure there is no oil residue left over from the factory.

 

Raise your ram/carrier to the top and hold.

Turn the die in until it touches the shell holder/shell plate.

Mark the die to help you with adjustments.

Turn the die out 1 full turn.

At this setting the die will not expand/flare the case only activate the powder measure.

Turn the die in to expand flare the case.

¼ turn in for CMJ bullets, ½ turn in for Coated Bullets. See note below.

Your powder measure must be installed to activate the flare. Do not add powder yet!

Test that you have enough flare on your case mouth. Bullet should just start in the case and not fall out.

Do not flare/expand the case mouth too much as this will lead to problems with bullet seating.

Secure the lock ring or breech lock bushing.

 

Notes:

Lee Precision recently updated the expanding plug and added a step on the expander.

This allows the bullet to seat square inside the case mouth. This prevents bullet tilting during seating. It also helps prevent bullet tipping during shell plate indexing when an inline bullet feeder die is used.

Another bonus is that you are be able to seat coated bullets much easier.

If your die set is less than a year old check the expanding plug to ensure it has a step.

If it does you do not need to flare your cases as above.

1⁄8 turn in for CMJ and ¼ turn in for Coated Bullets should be enough adjustment.

As always test and check.

New expander plugs are available.