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What die does what?
Pieceofpaper
Member Posts: 1,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
I just got my first reloader in the mail today. Im going over everything and trying to figure out which die does what function. The press is a H&C C style single stage press and im using a Lyman 3 piece pistol die set. One says "Lyman Exp die m-1", I figure that this is the expanding die, then theres the "Lyman TC 38/357 FL" die, obviously the taper crimp die, and lastly theres the "Lyman 38-357 DA" die, I dont know what this one does. Does it seat the bullet? compact the powder? or what?
Also, are any of the dies double function. Does one of them also cap and uncap primers and seat the bullet, or what?
Thanks for any help.
Also, are any of the dies double function. Does one of them also cap and uncap primers and seat the bullet, or what?
Thanks for any help.
Comments
If you don't do that, at least go to the site at this URL.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/adjust_reloading_dies.htm
What ever you do be carefull! The burning rates of reloading powder vary exponentially, be sure your using the correct powder!
A 3 die pistol set can have 1 die to size (is it carbide or regular?) a 2nd to expand & deprime & a 3rd to seat & crimp. Or, the 3 pistol die set can have 1 die to size & deprime, a 2nd to expand & a 3rd to seat & crimp.
I use both & they work equally well. The Lymans are a good product but I don't care for the Lee dies - don't like the rubber ring as compared to the other locking rings.
Anything else is the equivilant of playing with old dynamite. Get with someone around there that reloads...and look over their shoulder a bit.
Your dies.
"Lyman TC 38/357 FL";
This should be the full length resizing die...and should have a depriming punch protruding out the bottom.This die resizes and deprimes the case.
Lyman Exp die m-1",
As you surmise, this die 'bells' the mouth of the case..allowing a lead bullet to be seated without shaving lead off the case. The expansion only needs to be SLIGHT...just enough to start the bullet.
"Lyman 38-357 DA;
Don't know what Lyman is calling this..but this should be your bullet seater and crimper.
For a Lyman three die set, the dies should be:
1. Full length resizing and Decapping Die
2. Two Step Expanding Die
3. Bullet Seating Die
The die set should have come with instructions and a brief explanation of how to use and adjust the dies. It would be wise to spend some time and read the instructions. Reloading is fun but you have to be very serious about safety. No one else is in charge of quality but you. Please do some reading and make sure you understand everything before you start.
Regards,
Heavyiron
A very generous fellow on here that goes by "cussedemgun" messaged me a few days ago and said he would send me a book called "The ABC's of Reloading". I suspect I will be recieving it in the next few days, I will wait until then to start reloading.
Thanks again guys.
DA= Double Adjustable. You can adjust both the crimp and the bullet seating depth.
Is that a C&H, rather than an H&C press?
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross
Read them cover to cover. I recommend the Speer Manual, The ABC's of Reloadins and the Hornady manuals.
Read them before you even worry about what die does what. They will show you everything you need to know.
quote:Originally posted by cubslovers
BOOKS, BOOKS, and BOOKS.
Read them cover to cover. I recommend the Speer Manual, The ABC's of Reloadins and the Hornady manuals.
Read them before you even worry about what die does what. They will show you everything you need to know.
Having said that, here is a link to the Lee site which has video demonstrations of how each die is adjusted.
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1151910464.5077=/html/HelpVideos/video.html