Dumb rifle caliber reloading question.

[PanhandleGlocker]

Can someone explain the difference between 2 die, 3 die, and 4 die sets.

I bought the Lee Ultimate 4 die set for when I get all my gear rounded up to start reloading .308win.

My question came up because I know eventually I will reload for 30-30 as well and I watched a video on it and the guy was using a RCBS 2 Die set. Just wondering how you get all the steps done in a 2 die set versus a 4 die set.

 

[mr ed]

People managed forever. 3 and 4 die sets are a newer thing developed in the last 20-30 years.

 

[PanhandleGlocker]

People managed forever. 3 and 4 die sets are a newer thing developed in the last 20-30 years.

can you explain the difference more in depth?

 

[Cat City Slim]

Two die sets are standard rifle dies, the first is resize and decap, the second is bullet seater. The other dies are not required but nice to have. The Lee 4 dies sets come with a factory crimp die and a collet neck size die.

 

[adamsredlines]

2-die sets generally use a roll crimp combined with the bullet seat step.

Lots prefer a taper/factory style crimp so they do the seat and crimp in two steps, which is part of where the extra die comes from.

 

[swampratt]

I do not crimp my rifle or pistol rounds.
I tried it but accuracy suffered.
But if you have uneven bullet seating pressures you may find accuracy in crimping.

When you seat the bullet into the prepped case go slow and notice how much force the press arm needs to seat the bullet.

If you feel one seating very easy and another one taking quite a bit of force to seat then your accuracy will suffer .

Crimping may help.
I found more brass prep helped and making every case exactly the same.

Have fun in this deep pit of hand loading.

 

[PanhandleGlocker]

I do not crimp my rifle or pistol rounds.
I tried it but accuracy suffered.
But if you have uneven bullet seating pressures you may find accuracy in crimping.

When you seat the bullet into the prepped case go slow and notice how much force the press arm needs to seat the bullet.

If you feel one seating very easy and another one taking quite a bit of force to seat then your accuracy will suffer .

Crimping may help.
I found more brass prep helped and making every case exactly the same.

Have fun in this deep pit of hand loading.

I haven’t even turned a single round out yet and my OCD is kicking in.

 

[swampratt]

You think you are OCD now just wait.

 

[mr ed]

PanhandleGlocker Where most people have the biggest problem is you need to trim all your cases to the same length,
If not properly trimmed, one gets no crimp, next one heavy crimp, next one medium crimp. 5-10 thousandths on neck length don't sound like much
but really effects accuracy.

 

[magna19]

I do not crimp my rifle or pistol rounds.
I tried it but accuracy suffered.
But if you have uneven bullet seating pressures you may find accuracy in crimping.

When you seat the bullet into the prepped case go slow and notice how much force the press arm needs to seat the bullet.

If you feel one seating very easy and another one taking quite a bit of force to seat then your accuracy will suffer .

Crimping may help.
I found more brass prep helped and making every case exactly the same.

Have fun in this deep pit of hand loading.

How many dies is that a 2 die, 3 die, or 4 die set. Oh nevermind