41 Special Expander Die

[bigtee]

Trying to load some 41 Special and I’m having problems with the expander die. (First time loading 41 Special) I have Lee and RCBS dies, but neither will expand my special brass. Both are bottoming out on the shell holder before expanding the case. I’m wanting to load some 190 grain (.411) GT bullets. It won’t expand enough to get a .410 Speer bullet started. Looking for help please.

[potatojudge]

Will a 40S&W expander die do the trick? I know a lot of people shorten 41 magnum dies, but not all of us have that capability and not all machine shops will do it for $20.

I would think you can get a used 40 die dirt cheap.

[bigtee]

Feb 28, 2020 12:50:48 GMT -5 potatojudge said:

Will a 40S&W expander die do the trick? I know a lot of people shorten 41 magnum dies, but not all of us have that capability and not all machine shops will do it for $20.

I would think you can get a used 40 die dirt cheap.

I don’t know if a 40 S&W will work or not. I was hoping maybe a Hornady or Redding expander die might do the trick. I was a machinist years ago but don’t have access to a lathe now. I guess worse case scenario I could take some off with a grinder.

[princeout]

I use an old steel set from Lyman with no trouble. Maybe RCBS could come up with a longer threaded portion on the expander stem.
Tim

[squigz]

I would reach out to RCBS and see if they would make you a new expander. They may ask for you to send 3 pieces of brass out to them, but they return them once they get it made.

[wheelguns]

I would use a lee universal expanding die with the proper noe expander insert. I use these to expand all of my cases that I use cast bullets in. The noe expander that you need is .412-.408 pistol

[taffin]

Feb 28, 2020 12:29:04 GMT -5 bigtee said:

Trying to load some 41 Special and I’m having problems with the expander die. (First time loading 41 Special) I have Lee and RCBS dies, but neither will expand my special brass. Both are bottoming out on the shell holder before expanding the case. I’m wanting to load some 190 grain (.411) GT bullets. It won’t expand enough to get a .410 Speer bullet started. Looking for help please.

ORDER A LEE UNIVERSAL EXPANDER DIE OR SHORTEN YOUR .41 MAGNUM DIE OR BOTH

[bigtee]

Thank you for all the information. I ordered a universal expanding die and several different sizes of the NOE expander. I’ll work on getting my die shortened to, It’s great to have access to such a great amount of knowledge.

[mhblaw]

When I got my 41 Special I acquired a set of Hornaday New Dimension 41 Magnum dies and the expander works for 41 Special too.

[ddixie884]

I do .41spl with Lee, Dillon and Redding dies no problem. RCBS usually won't adjust low enough to crimp.......

[bigtee]

I have the Lee universal expander die now, still waiting on my order from NOE. I am going to get my Lee 41 mag expander die trimmed down 1/8”. It wouldn’t expand the special brass, it bottomed out on the shell holder before expanding.

[bigtee]

Mar 4, 2020 13:38:05 GMT -5 ddixie884 said:

I do .41spl with Lee, Dillon and Redding dies no problem. RCBS usually won't adjust low enough to crimp.......

Maybe the difference is the shell holder, I’m using the LEE Shellholder that came with my mag dies.

[Ramar]

Is your Lee a "powder through expander die," bigtee? If so, the expander's kind of loose in there because the powder through part doesn't screw in far enough. Easiest solution for loading 41 special is to take the top out of your seater die. It'll push the expander down almost to the bottom. Pic is the part referenced. Hope it helps.

[bigtee]

Yes, it is a powder through expander die. Picture didn’t come through but I will take it apart and look at it.

[bigtee]

Thanks very much, tried it and I think it will work. Need to rob a stem from an old die now. I run a Lyman Brass Smith 8 and keep all of my dies setup already.