Should I buy a press kit or individual pieces?

[maroonandwhite]

So what would the fourth die be on the rifle? Maybe I should provide links haha.

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690694/223_Remington_Ultimate_Rifle_Die_Set_

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690502/223_Remington_Full_Length_3_Die_Set_With_Shellholder

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690963/9mm_Luger_Deluxe_Pistol_Carbide_4_Die_Set_With_Shellholder

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690509/9mm_Luger_Carbide_3_Die_Set_With_Shellholder

[Garufa]

So what would the fourth die be on the rifle? Maybe I should provide links haha.

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690694/223_Remington_Ultimate_Rifle_Die_Set_

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690502/223_Remington_Full_Length_3_Die_Set_With_Shellholder

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690963/9mm_Luger_Deluxe_Pistol_Carbide_4_Die_Set_With_Shellholder

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690509/9mm_Luger_Carbide_3_Die_Set_With_Shellholder

 

The fourth die on the 223 set is a neck sizing die.  That's for resizing only the neck of the case as opposed to the whole thing like the full length sizing die does. 

 

The fourth die on the 9mm is the factory crimp die.  The bullet seating die will crimp the bullet in place but the crimp die will do it more.

[maroonandwhite]

The fourth die on the 223 set is a neck sizing die.  That's for resizing only the neck of the case as opposed to the whole thing like the full length sizing die does. 

 

The fourth die on the 9mm is the factory crimp die.  The bullet seating die will crimp the bullet in place but the crimp die will do it more.

Thanks. I'll probably be okay with the 3 die set. I won't be sizing just the neck on the rifle and the 9mm won't need to be crimped that well I would't think. Not loading precision ammo for that haha.

 

So what about case trimming? Is that needed every time you shoot the brass or after so many times? Do the hand trimmers work well? Lee seems to have one but I'm not sure if it will integrate with the RCBS.

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690437/Deluxe_Quick_Trim_Case_Trimmer_

 

If I have to buy the stand alone trimmer that may have to come later. This stuff is starting to add up.  :rofl:

[Omega]

NOPE. You always want to full length size for a semi auto. You can neck size a bolt gun. My AR stuff gets a few thousanths shoulder bump, as well as resize to spec. You don't want the brass fitting tight in the chamber.

 

10-4 on the FCD. I own one for every caliber I reload.

Yea, I have heard that.  But in our M16s we didn't have any issues with any of our reloads doing just the neck sizing.  I currently full length size my AR rifle rounds now because I have multiple rifles in the same caliber so I may not of put this method to as much of a field trial to get a definitive answer one way or another.  Of course you get those that insist that a small base die is needed on ARs too.

[Omega]

Thanks. I'll probably be okay with the 3 die set. I won't be sizing just the neck on the rifle and the 9mm won't need to be crimped that well I would't think. Not loading precision ammo for that haha.

 

So what about case trimming? Is that needed every time you shoot the brass or after so many times? Do the hand trimmers work well? Lee seems to have one but I'm not sure if it will integrate with the RCBS.

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690437/Deluxe_Quick_Trim_Case_Trimmer_

 

If I have to buy the stand alone trimmer that may have to come later. This stuff is starting to add up.  :rofl:

You will need one sooner or later but that one is a PITA to use.  Unless you shoot thousands of rounds, you can just get the cheap one:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690114/223_Remington_Case_Length_Gauge_With_Shell_Holder_?clicks=box2

and:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690275/Cutter_with_Ball_Grip_

They make one without the wood handle, but you will want this one.

[maroonandwhite]

I don't guess I understand how the case trimmer works. Does it just thread into the top of the press and I turn the handle? I see how the standalone units work but don't get the cheaper ones????

 

Nevermind. Think I found a video.

Edited December 2, 2014 by maroonandwhite

[Omega]

I don't guess I understand how the case trimmer works. Does it just thread into the top of the press and I turn the handle? I see how the standalone units work but don't get the cheaper ones????

 

Nevermind. Think I found a video.

The way the cheaper one works is that the case gets put in the shell holder, the case length gauge gets threaded into the cutter and you turn the case until it cuts no more.  Oh, and you will have to get this for the case holder

http://leeprecision.com/lock-stud.html   I think midsouth carries the cutter and stud but not just the stud: http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690110/Cutter_and_Lock_Stud_

[mikegideon]

Thanks. I'll probably be okay with the 3 die set. I won't be sizing just the neck on the rifle and the 9mm won't need to be crimped that well I would't think. Not loading precision ammo for that haha.

 

So what about case trimming? Is that needed every time you shoot the brass or after so many times? Do the hand trimmers work well? Lee seems to have one but I'm not sure if it will integrate with the RCBS.

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690437/Deluxe_Quick_Trim_Case_Trimmer_

 

If I have to buy the stand alone trimmer that may have to come later. This stuff is starting to add up.  :rofl:

 

You really really want the 9mm crimp die. It does a resizing pass as well.

[mikegideon]

Yea, I have heard that.  But in our M16s we didn't have any issues with any of our reloads doing just the neck sizing.  I currently full length size my AR rifle rounds now because I have multiple rifles in the same caliber so I may not of put this method to as much of a field trial to get a definitive answer one way or another.  Of course you get those that insist that a small base die is needed on ARs too.

 

Hard to argue with real world experience. I use multiple 223 rifles, so no way I would try just neck sizing. I have a bushing neck sizer for 223, but it's not for blaster ammo.

[R_Bert]

Thanks. I'll probably be okay with the 3 die set. I won't be sizing just the neck on the rifle and the 9mm won't need to be crimped that well I would't think. Not loading precision ammo for that haha.

 

So what about case trimming? Is that needed every time you shoot the brass or after so many times? Do the hand trimmers work well? Lee seems to have one but I'm not sure if it will integrate with the RCBS.

 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690437/Deluxe_Quick_Trim_Case_Trimmer_

 

If I have to buy the stand alone trimmer that may have to come later. This stuff is starting to add up.  :rofl:

 

 

That's  a new one to me.  I have not seen a trimmer that mounts in the press like that.

 

Now....  to me, it seems like it would be messy.  I hate having chips near my press.

 

But.. trimming is trimming, as long as the length is right, and the case mouths are square.

 

I use one of these - it is awesome.  http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-preparation/case-trimming/case-trimmers/sinclair-stainless-ultimate-trimmer-prod39292.aspx

 

I also have a RCBS Case Station that I modified to use standard Lee trimmers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZGkWUtKz4k  01:25 into the video.

 

 

B.

Edited December 2, 2014 by R_Bert

[mikegideon]

Cranks piss me off. I use one of these...

 

 

With these...

 

[Omega]

Cranks piss me off. I use one of these...

 

 

With these...

 

I like the case holder part of that setup, it seems it would be a fast way to change out cases.  How is that cutter mounted?

[gregintenn]

       http://www.midwayusa.com/product/476992/lee-case-trimmer-cutter-and-lock-stud

 

Here's what I use for trimming. You can do it by hand, or chuck the lock stud into a drill.

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/107333/lee-case-length-gage-and-shellholder-223-remington?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Get a case length gauge and shellholder for the round you are trimming,

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/789334/le-wilson-chamfer-and-deburring-tool-17-to-45-caliber?cm_vc=subv1789334

and finidh the job with a twist inside and out with a chamfer tool. These also work for removing the primer crimp from military brass.

[mikegideon]

I like the case holder part of that setup, it seems it would be a fast way to change out cases.  How is that cutter mounted?

 

It screws into the end of the lathe. I bought the trimmer when I was making 300 blackout brass. The Giraud is a faster trimmer, but this one is OK with me. I have 22 and 30 cal heads. One step trims, chamfers, and deburs. 

Edited December 2, 2014 by mikegideon

[mikegideon]

       http://www.midwayusa.com/product/476992/lee-case-trimmer-cutter-and-lock-stud

 

Here's what I use for trimming. You can do it by hand, or chuck the lock stud into a drill.

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/107333/lee-case-length-gage-and-shellholder-223-remington?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Get a case length gauge and shellholder for the round you are trimming,

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/789334/le-wilson-chamfer-and-deburring-tool-17-to-45-caliber?cm_vc=subv1789334

and finidh the job with a twist inside and out with a chamfer tool. These also work for removing the primer crimp from military brass.

 

Something like that is what got Caster the nickname of Tender Knuckles :). He was making 2000 rounds of Blackout brass out of 223. He wound up with this..

 

http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html

 

Needless to say, I got thru it with a lot fewer injuries than he did :)

[Hozzie]

I have the little crow trimmers for 300 BLK, 223, and 22-250.  I really like them and they are quick once you get them setup.

[gregintenn]

Something like that is what got Caster the nickname of Tender Knuckles :). He was making 2000 rounds of Blackout brass out of 223. He wound up with this..

 

http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html

 

Needless to say, I got thru it with a lot fewer injuries than he did :)

Looks like it should work well. You know I'm a cheap bazdard though, right? :cool:

[mikegideon]

Looks like it should work well. You know I'm a cheap bazdard though, right? :cool:

 

Depends on what you're doing. If you're loading hunting ammo, there's nothing wrong with hand powered brass prep. It you're loading a few thousand rounds for AR blasting, you probably want to ditch the crank-up stuff. I HATE brass prep, and found a good excuse to minimize the hassle.

[maroonandwhite]

How does the WTF determine proper length? Does it have a stop in it?

[mikegideon]

How does the WTF determine proper length? Does it have a stop in it?

 

It's magic  :rofl:

[Omega]

It screws into the end of the lathe. I bought the trimmer when I was making 300 blackout brass. The Giraud is a faster trimmer, but this one is OK with me. I have 22 and 30 cal heads. One step trims, chamfers, and deburs. 

I did 1k cases of 300Blk with the hand held.  I got the three jaw chuck for the case holder and used my dewalt drill.  I managed over 500 before I got the wooden handled cutter.  I guess I am just cheap, but that does look like a nice setup.

[deafdogdief]

I am not telling you to get a Lee, BUT it already has everything to trim your cases except the caliber specific rod. I put mine in the drill and trim. It's a lot cheaper this way. Carefully look over the Lee Anniversary Kit. Most of the stuff talked about here is already in it. If you decide you don't like it, I don't think you would have a hard time selling a press.

[gregintenn]

I am not telling you to get a Lee, BUT it already has everything to trim your cases except the caliber specific rod. I put mine in the drill and trim. It's a lot cheaper this way. Carefully look over the Lee Anniversary Kit. Most of the stuff talked about here is already in it. If you decide you don't like it, I don't think you would have a hard time selling a press.

I had the Lee Anniversary kit. I finally wore out the press ofter only twenty years of much use. I replaced it with a Lee Classic Cast press. I'll not wear it out! The cast press is worth the extra few bucks over the aluminum one. I understand the cast presses are made from railroad track. I like it better than my father's RCBS Rockchucker. It too is a nice press.

[mikegideon]

I am not telling you to get a Lee, BUT it already has everything to trim your cases except the caliber specific rod. I put mine in the drill and trim. It's a lot cheaper this way. Carefully look over the Lee Anniversary Kit. Most of the stuff talked about here is already in it. If you decide you don't like it, I don't think you would have a hard time selling a press.

 

The problem is that the Lee presses are great, but some of the other kit parts are WAY outclassed by the RCBS stuff. For example, the Lee powder measure is crap compared to the Uniflow. I own both. Same with the scale, and the hand primer.

[mikegideon]

I had the Lee Anniversary kit. I finally wore out the press ofter only twenty years of much use. I replaced it with a Lee Classic Cast press. I'll not wear it out! The cast press is worth the extra few bucks over the aluminum one. I understand the cast presses are made from railroad track. I like it better than my father's RCBS Rockchucker. It too is a nice press.

 

The classic cast is a GREAT press. I have one of those too. I don't have enough left in me to wear that one out.