What is the photoescape powder funnel expander?

An explanation with pics would be appreciated.

http://www.photoescapeinc.com/products/powder-funnel-wadcutter38.html

Dave

It is an insert for powder dies on progressive presses that is profiled for better belling of the case mouth and smoothness of the interior for better powder drop.

https://www.photoescapeinc.com/products/

Thank you for the links.

For use with volumetric powder measures that are case activated. The powder through expander from PE replaces the one originally provided for example in your Dillon caliber change kit (if you have a Dillon press). It goes inside the powder die and when a case is raised into the die the funnel expands the case and powder is dropped from the chamber in the powder bar on the powder measure through the powder through expander into the case. There are the Custom funnels (direct replacement for factory), the HTC funnels (for oversized projectiles - e.g. lead, coated) and HBWC funnels (for long, deep seated wadcutter bullets). These funnels are supposed to wear slower, have less stick against the case, and the HTC and HBWC to size the case more appropriately for your given projectile so it isn't deformed or partially shaved when seating the often soft (relative to jacketed) bullet.

Edit: all my Dillon tool heads have PhotoEscape powder through expanders. The original Dillon parts are named powder funnels.

Seems to be an especially good idea for the the Square Deal press where we are limited to Dillon dies.  Christmas in March coming up!  Thanks again.

Is this pretty much the same idea as Lee's powder-thru-expander die?

paulj wrote:Is this pretty much the same idea as Lee's powder-thru-expander die?

It's a replacement for the inset that does the belling in the Lee die. Except I believe he only makes them for Dillon and Hornady PMs.

paulj wrote:Is this pretty much the same idea as Lee's powder-thru-expander die?

Same idea but a more refined execution.
PE's insert both bells the end and expands the case for a better fit of the bullet.

Most expander plugs and powder through ( and sizing) dies are undersized. They are designed to work with jacketed bullets which are typically 1 thou smaller than lead but may be closer to groove diameter. 

This leaves an undersized case l.D. that leads to a swaged and undersize lead bullet with it’s inherent leading and inaccuracies. AP solves that problem for you; highly recommended. Read the instructions because if you set it too deep, the case will bulge. He set the plug length to match the bullet bearing length and still provide belling.

Another characteristic of the PE powder through funnel is that it bells the case so that a bullet can "set" in the belled portion of the case case. This is important with progressive presses with a bullet feeder.

That's been my experience.. instead of fussing around trying to get the bullet to sit square in the case (with the Dillon SDB funnel), they plop right in with the photo escape one.

It's one of those "I wish I would have had this years ago" type of things.