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Posted: 11/3/2011 4:37:35 PM EDT
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This may not be the right place, but I couldn't figure any other place out..
I'm looking to get a reloading press for myself for Christmas. I've been looking around, and the Lee Kits seem very reasonably priced for single state kits, as well as fairly portable (going to get it and keep it in the BOB stash and only pull it out to use it).. what I'm confused on is when I look at the dies, they all seem to say "Not suitable for auto loader" or something like that. I'm guessing that this means that they are not good for reloading rifle ammo that is going into a Semi Auto.. like an AK, SKS, AR, FAL...or even a semi auto pistol.. am I right in thinking this? Need all the help I can get.. thanks all. |
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Perhaps you're looking at neck sizing dies? Full length dies are what is recommended for bottleneck rifle cartridges used in semi-auto or lever guns. Neck dies are usually for bolt-action rifles. I would have to agree. I can't think of any other reason why there would be this warning! |
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Reloading is not something that you should just pack away & forget about until a rainy day. Reloading is like any other skill, you need to learn how to properly do it so you don't have a kaboom or inaccurate/inconsistent ammo. And the loader I think you're looking at (that little thing that you squeeze together by hand) will get the job done & isn't a bad thing to have around, but if you are serious about reloading, a good single stage that mounts to a bench isn't much more expensive.
And about kits.... When I first got into reloading, I bought a RCBS Rock Chucker kit. I love the press, but all I still use from the kit is the press & the ammo tray. And if I had it to do over again, I would just have pieced it together....I would've actually saved money. Lol. Oh yeah, and don't be afraid to buy used. Most brands will still take care of you even if you're not the original owner. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Perhaps you're looking at neck sizing dies? Full length dies are what is recommended for bottleneck rifle cartridges used in semi-auto or lever guns. Neck dies are usually for bolt-action rifles. I would have to agree. I can't think of any other reason why there would be this warning! Ahh, that makes sense. |
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This may not be the right place, but I couldn't figure any other place out.. I'm looking to get a reloading press for myself for Christmas. I've been looking around, and the Lee Kits seem very reasonably priced for single state kits, as well as fairly portable (going to get it and keep it in the BOB stash and only pull it out to use it).. what I'm confused on is when I look at the dies, they all seem to say "Not suitable for auto loader" or something like that. I'm guessing that this means that they are not good for reloading rifle ammo that is going into a Semi Auto.. like an AK, SKS, AR, FAL...or even a semi auto pistol.. am I right in thinking this? Need all the help I can get.. thanks all. I'll guess you're describing the LEE Classic loader kits. They are indeed a poor choice for autoloading firearms as they neck size the case and not the body. Lots of people have loaded a pile of ammunition on these tools, but they really are obsolete except maybe for the guy that loads two or three boxes of ammunition every year. If you wanted to get a nice portable loader that uses conventional dies, the LEE Hand Press will work fine. Still slow, but not iceberg slow like the Classic. I have one and I've loaded plenty of ammunition. I like them because I can sit in the shade outside to work on brass. |
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Welcome, your post got moved here.
To find your way back the reloading forum is under the Armory button. Spend some time reading the FAQ's and Tutorials at the top of the page. 
Also get this book. It was written for beginners and covers the tools needed, and how to reload rifle, pistol and shotgun. You definitely want to learn how to reload before the SHTF. |
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Thanks so far all..
This is the kit I was looking at.. http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee-breech-lock-challenger-50th-anniversary-kit when I was looking at the dies, here's what I saw that had me wondering.. "Not recommended for autoloaders, slide or lever action guns." It doesn't have it on the pistol dies, just the rifle dies. I'm on a super limited budget for these things (wife no longer has a job, and it's just me supporting us) I choose the Lee kit because much of the research I've done has pointed to it being a very good kit for beginners, and Massad Ayoob has mentioned it and recommended it in a few of his articles on backwoods home magazine. I plan on reloading mebbie 100 to 200 rounds per month for the rifles & about the same for the pistols to start with. Once I get more comfortable with it, I'll move on to bigger presses.. but I also want this one to keep in the Bug out Kit as a portable one once I get a new multistage press. any other recommendation on dies and such? |
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Read here: http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=486 . You'll find detailed information on what you need to buy.
I'm not real crazy about the kits and mixing tools will work out better in the long run. You'll have to link the ads you're reading about dies. You've gotten a wrong impression. LEE makes scads of dies that work fine in autoloading rifles and handguns. We can direct you to the right set. The LEE Deluxe 3 die set is the one you should buy for your rifles, or one of the others that includes a full length sizer die. What you don't want is a set that only contains a collet sizer. Buy a carbide sizer die for handgun (straight wall) cases. This will usually permit sizing without case lube, although case lube never hurts. |
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Here is the link for the dies that I was looking at..
http://www.titanreloading.com/rifle-reloading-dies/lee-deluxe-3-die-sets Halfway down the page is where it says not suitable for autoloaders, slide or lever action rifles. |
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Here is the link for the dies that I was looking at.. http://www.titanreloading.com/rifle-reloading-dies/lee-deluxe-3-die-sets Halfway down the page is where it says not suitable for autoloaders, slide or lever action rifles. That's nuts. That set will work fine. Here's LEE Precision's web site: http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Lee-Deluxe-Rifle-3-Die-Set/ There's another thing about that ad you linked; crimping is not required if the case neck tension is correct. Crimping is an optional step for any application. I also like the ad's comment about ammo not suitable for hunting! My advice about dies: buy a set of Redding or Forster for your rifles. Buy a LEE Classic Cast Single Stage press. Buy a RCBS scale. (Don't buy one of the cheap electronic scales in the market, they are junk.) Buy a $20 dial or digital caliper. Preferably something to serve as a standard, too. In fact, the press above and a set of dies are the only LEE products I would buy, and I would get a set of Forster lock rings for the dies. |
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Quoted:
Here is the link for the dies that I was looking at.. http://www.titanreloading.com/rifle-reloading-dies/lee-deluxe-3-die-sets Halfway down the page is where it says not suitable for autoloaders, slide or lever action rifles. That set has a FL (full length) sizer, the one to use. And a collet sizer, the one not suitable for you. (without advanced techniques) Listen to AeroE about equipment. |
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AeroE gives great advice. I wanted to add that you are looking in the expensive places for these kits and supplies. Midway is cheaper on the Anniversary Kit, and you may get a sale from time to time: Midwy USA Lee Press Kit
Your question seems to be what dies to buy. This is going to be everyone's personal preference, since they are all made with the same machining process and do the same thing. I personally prefer Redding Dies. They are more expensive, so maybe not the road you want to go down right now. You need to do a lot of research and read the details to figure out what the differences are (such as S-bushing vs small base X-die) Don't be afraid to call the companies and ask the source directly. Most have great tech support and will sell you what you need for your application. |
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Go to the RCBS website and read about their product...the "AR15" die set. They offer their small base sizer which takes another .001 or .002 off the diameter of the case body diameter (easier fit in the AR chamber) and their seater has a taper crimp, not a roll crimp, which allows crimping even on non-cannelure bullet bodies.
[ETA] I am not saying go RCBS, but their website reading may explain about why Lee says "not for auto-loaders". |
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