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carbide expander buttons
Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 4:07 pm
by drone
I've a small base 308 full length die rcbs iirc, I see that a carbide button equipped deprime/expander rod is available as an add on.
Has anyone tried them and, if so, any comments one way or the other?
Thanks in advance.
Re: carbide expander buttons
Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 4:12 pm
by dromia
Expander buttons of any kind are an abomination and should be destroyed on sight.
Just get a plain decapping pin and an "M" style expander die cut to your specific bullet/case mouth dimensions and save your cases.
Re: carbide expander buttons
Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 9:07 pm
by PeterN
For years, I reloaded using the resizing die with the decapping pin and expander button. When I started reloading Berdan cases I could not use the decapping pin and expander button so I removed that from the die and expanded the neck with a Lyman M die with the expander plugs. I found that to be better for the cases, so I now do all my reloading that way, including the Boxer primed cases. It is an extra step, but I think it is worth it. Dromia is right.
Regards
Peter.
Re: carbide expander buttons
Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 10:12 pm
by Alpha1
Yep Dromia is right I stopped using expanders in my full lentgh dies years a go. Most of my reloading is done with body dies and LE wilson neck sizing bushing dies or Sinclair expanders.
Re: carbide expander buttons
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 4:15 am
by dromia
Not only does the "M" expander extend case life it also ensures your bullet seats square.
RCBS have their own version of this but 'tis a bit hybrid and not so efficacious in my experience.
The fact that they make carbide expander buttons just tells you that they are trying to mitigate the built in problems with the damned things.