Presses and dies

[HeatherW762]

Help! I've been reloading for about a year now and am just starting to put my own kit together (I was using our club stuff up to now). The biggest problem I have is the vast amount of info that has completely befuddled my poor brain. I'm loading .308 and use 155grn sierra match kings at the moment using 46g N140 for short range (3-600) and 48g N540 for long range (8-1200). I'm about to re-barrel and will be able to use up to 175g bullets. Most of the kit I can work out but the press and dies are where I'm stumped. A lot of friends use RCBS presses and forster dies. I need an easy to use, light on the hands (medical condition) press and easy to use/read dies. Any suggestions?

[Blu]

Heather, in what way do the presses and dies leave you stumped?

Blu

[Ovenpaa]

I am well impressed with the 48 grains of N540, I run 47.5 behind 155 Scenars and I thought that was quite hot, what action are you using?

Regarding the press I have tried a few and my preference is the Lee cast Classic press, it is quite a lump and mine is permanently bolted in place. It has quite a long arm on it so not a huge amount of effort is needed for any of the operations, downside is it is quite a swing up and down so finding the right operating height and/or stool or chair to sit on is important. It is made from cast iron so it does not flex and I get great repeatability.

Dies - I run Forster, Hornady, Redding S and Redding Match and RCBS and my choice is Forster, they are a sensible price, a well made die, have a lock ring that can be locked to length, the micrometer bullet seater gives good repeatability, the thimble is easy to read for adjusting OAL and it a delight to use. The neck sizing die is very simple and the bushes are a sensible price if you are playing with neck tension.

If you are reloading in a workshop/shed/garage give the exposed surfaces of the press a light wipe of oil when not in use to stop it rusting (not WD40 as it evaporates) Oh and keep the dies and shiny bits in the wardrobe or somewhere warm and dry when not in use.

[Dangermouse]

Heather,

I bought the Lee press and custom die set.

I have found the press trouble free - other than when de capping the primers fall all over the floor, I know have a box under the press to catch the spent primers.

I have found the die set a little frustrating. For a hobby that requires accuracy to 10 thou of an inch, the dies and many like them, have no system to gauge how much change is being made to the final item when making adjustments.
This has seen me waisting much time setting up my dies and is a Paine every time I change bullet weight etc

As Mik Mak is re barrelling the rifle over Christmas, I may pay out and get some Redding competition dies, which come with micrometres so that you can see what you are doing. This will make it a lot easier for me to make up some test batches come the spring.

DM

[uzi4you]

I agree with dangermouse, Lee preses are fine apart from picking up spent primers, better spending your money on good dies that have proper repeatable adjustment.

[dromia]

I concur with ovenpaa, go for the Lee CLASSIC CAST press. It is light years away from the other Lee single stage bench presses and it does collect its primers, through the ram and via a tube into whatever resepticle you have. Redding Ultramag and T7 presses use the same system and have had theirs out long before Lee but its an old idea.

The Classic cast is a robust and flexible press and one of Lee's better offerings. I don't have one, no room or need for another single station press but have used a few and have been impressed.

Forster make excellent dies and their Co-Ax, ex Bonanza, is the best single sation press out there but you will pay over twice the price of the Lee.

I have a fondness for Redding dies, again pricier that the Forster but i'm a fan of neck sizing so like the Redding neck bushing system. The Lee Collet neck sizing dies are also very good so long as you can get the mandrel to the speccy you need for your rifle. For bullet seating I have an old Lyman Micrometer seating die and they do make a difference where OAL is important. Forster makes an excellent one as do Redding.

[HeatherW762]

Gosh, lots to think about already, thanks guys. I have an RPA action. My load was worked up by John Carmichael for long distance so should be OK but will have to start over once new barrel goes on.
I had been told that Forster dies were good. I only plan to neck size but, again, lots of people have lots of ideas. Oh for being paid enough to have a man work my loads and present the finished article when required...Oh alright I'll come back to the real world!! :-)
One question and don't laugh at the newbie - whats OAL?

[Alpha1]

I have used a Lyman crusher for years and it full fills all my reloading requirements.
I am not a fan of Lee products but I have heard nothing but good reports about the Lee press may be worth a look and its a good price.
Dies I use Redding. RCBS. hornady and Lee.
OAL Stands for over all lentgh. This is the lentgh of your finnished loaded cartridge.
Some times you will see it expressed as COL. Cartridge over all lentgh.
The lentgh of the finished round is important it can affect pressure and of course if its to long it wont fit in your magazine.
COL are usually listed along with re loading data in the manuals.
Ask as many questions as you like no matter how silly you think they may be.
Its all a learning curve and we all had to start some were.

[Ovenpaa]

I agree with Alpha1 on this - so many things to learn and this forum has some very knowledgeable members so ask away, as you are a relative newcomer to reloading the questions you ask no matter how minor they seem will prompt replies that will be viewed by future re-loaders who will also learn. Hey, I still look for opportunities to learn about reloading!

Who knows, we may even write a 'How to' for new re-loaders one day and this is a brilliant way of finding out what people really want to know.