Expander die question

[taylor]

I'm loading my first batch and I'm up to the expander die part. I'm loading .38 Special and using a 3 die set from Lee.
I can't get any flare, I've followed directions carefully backing out the locking ring and the expander ball then screwing down the die till it touches then with a case inserted I screwed down the expander plug till it touched, then I kept 1/4 turns while I checked the case with a bullet. I screwed it all the way down and still no flare! and the bullet won't enter the case and I have no more room to screw down the plug.
Am I doing something wrong?

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[Throckmorton]

I wonder..ur not tyring to use a .357-specific expander die are u? The slightly shorter .38 case may not be tall enough to engage the expander plug/ball.

 

[taylor]

Its a 38/357 die set from Lee. With the plug all the way down the cases are identical to unexpanded cases.

 

[Throckmorton]

ON the Lee website they don't show a combo set.Is yours for sure marked for both calibers?

My bad,did not read the fine print on their page,now I'm stumped too.

 

[SAR1846]

Its a 38/357 die set from Lee. With the plug all the way down the cases are identical to unexpanded cases.

#1 - What markings are on the flare / expander die???
#2 - Is the die kissing the shellholder when the ram is at its highest position??
#3 - Can you attach a photo so we can see what's happening, so that we can diagnose?

 

[taylor]

I just took the die apart and measured the plug width with my calipers and it was .354? that couldn't possibly expand a case to accept a bullet .357 or .358 could it?