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Time to reset the dies
calrugerfan
Member Posts: 18,209 ✭
I ordered Lee locking rings for my dies because I keep having problems getting the RCBS locking rings tight without stripping them. I'm putting Lee rings on all my dies.
Anybody else do this?
Anybody else do this?
Comments
BGH
Educate me on why you need to adjust the body ring when changing bullets? The seating stem lock, yes, but the body ring? The only time I ever touch my body rings (once the die is set) is when changing from special to magnum pistol cases (and if you get a spacer shim, you don't need to change it than)
Or skip BOTH the LEE "rubber band" and the RCBS setscrew and go with the Hornady "split ring" style.
BGH
Educate me on why you need to adjust the body ring when changing bullets? The seating stem lock, yes, but the body ring? The only time I ever touch my body rings (once the die is set) is when changing from special to magnum pistol cases (and if you get a spacer shim, you don't need to change it than)
Depth of or lack of a cannalure which may effect crimping characteristics. Seems like there was another reason also but my somethimers is kicking in.
The split ring style is good too.
As I don't crimp rifles, as a rule, that explains why I haven't run into it.
I ordered Lee locking rings for my dies because I keep having problems getting the RCBS locking rings tight without stripping them. I'm putting Lee rings on all my dies.
Anybody else do this?
How in the world do you strip the RCBS lock ring?
If you back the die and ring off 1/8 turn, together after getting it set, then tighten the set screw with two fingers, it will never move........
I know I've tightened them more than 2 finger tight and then when I unscrew them, I've seen the lock ring turn.
quote:Originally posted by calrugerfan
I ordered Lee locking rings for my dies because I keep having problems getting the RCBS locking rings tight without stripping them. I'm putting Lee rings on all my dies.
Anybody else do this?
How in the world do you strip the RCBS lock ring?
If you back the die and ring off 1/8 turn, together after getting it set, then tighten the set screw with two fingers, it will never move........
+1
quote:Originally posted by bpost
quote:Originally posted by calrugerfan
I ordered Lee locking rings for my dies because I keep having problems getting the RCBS locking rings tight without stripping them. I'm putting Lee rings on all my dies.
Anybody else do this?
How in the world do you strip the RCBS lock ring?
If you back the die and ring off 1/8 turn, together after getting it set, then tighten the set screw with two fingers, it will never move........
+1
I'm not stripping the actual locking rings. The RCBS locking rings have a set screw to lock it in place. There is a fine line between getting it set and stripping the set screw. I have tried putting lead shot into it but that hasn't worked. I keep stripping the brass set screws and even then, the locking ring still moves.
2) While your there, purchase a quality allen wrench that fits those screws (cheap wrenchs are one of the two primary causes of stripping out the socket)
3) Use only your thumb and forefinger on the short arm of the wrench when tightening (ham fisting is the second leading cause of stripping)
Alt methiod, purchase a 3/4" SHCS instead of a setscrew (this requires the use of the lead shot trick BTW). Stronger head and will also provide you a short handle to help break it loose from the press.
1) Go to a decent hardware store and purchase some steel setscrews
2) While your there, purchase a quality allen wrench that fits those screws (cheap wrenchs are one of the two primary causes of stripping out the socket)
3) Use only your thumb and forefinger on the short arm of the wrench when tightening (ham fisting is the second leading cause of stripping)
Alt methiod, purchase a 3/4" SHCS instead of a setscrew (this requires the use of the lead shot trick BTW). Stronger head and will also provide you a short handle to help break it loose from the press.
What is a SHCS?
SOCKET HEAD CAP SCREW See this.. http://www.edmundoptics.com/onlinecatalog/displayproduct.cfm?productid=1607
But if they're steel, won't they must up the threads on my dies?
quote:Originally posted by babun
SOCKET HEAD CAP SCREW See this.. http://www.edmundoptics.com/onlinecatalog/displayproduct.cfm?productid=1607
But if they're steel, won't they mess up the threads on my dies?
You missed my note about using a steel screw: quote:this requires the use of the lead shot trick which prevents the steel screw from contacting the die threads
If you don't want to jump through hoops the best way to get a die-ring secure is to go to the split ring type which doesn't *-up or leave brass on the threads and make it hard to change the ring setting.
On the Lee lock rings, when I get the die set where I want it, I put an index mark on the ring and the die body with a magic marker. I keep a wrench on a hook under the bench. When I use a Lee die, I make sure the index marks line up, snug up that hex die ring with the wrench and I'm good to go. Of course, you could also drill and tap a flat on the Lee ring, use tommyjoe's weed trimmer and a SHCS. It'd be cheaper than buying new lock rings (and isn't that one of the reasons we reload; because we're cheap?!).
My 45ACP dies are from 1981. I set them to the RCBS Jr. press they were originally on, reset them again for the huge Herters C press and finally for the Lyman All American they now reside on, except for seating depth they never need adjusted...... In almost 40 years of reloading I have never stripped a lock ring...... tight is tight.
When removing a die from the press I grasp it with channel locks around the lock ring, never the die.
Just being curious, why do you need to reset dies so often?
My 45ACP dies are from 1981. I set them to the RCBS Jr. press they were originally on, reset them again for the huge Herters C press and finally for the Lyman All American they now reside on, except for seating depth they never need adjusted...... In almost 40 years of reloading I have never stripped a lock ring...... tight is tight.
When removing a die from the press I grasp it with channel locks around the lock ring, never the die.
That's what I was doing and the lock ring would move. Since putting on the Lee rings, I haven't had any problems though. They stay perfectly in place.