Getting Started: Setting Up Your Dies
This article walks you through the proper setup of your reloading dies – from installing into a press to adjusting for the right case sizing and bullet seating – to ensure accurate, consistent and safe loads.
If you’re new to reloading and wondering how to setup or adjust your dies, or if you’re a more experienced handloader double-checking your process, read on.
Types of Dies & Set Ups
Reloaders know that there are various types of reloading dies. Each different type requires a slightly different set up. For example, the different types of dies you could be setting up include:
- Full Length Size Dies
- Neck Size Dies
- Small Base Size Dies
- Carbide Size Dies
- Neck Bushing Dies or Full Length Bushing Sizing Dies
- Expander Dies
- Roll Crimp Seat Dies
- Taper Crimp Seat Dies.
Setting Up A Sizing Die
You’ve fired your cartridge, got home from the range, and are ready to reload. One of the first steps, resizing your case. To resize, you’ll chose a Full Length, Neck or Small Base Sizer Die. The set up process is:
- Set up begins by screwing the die into the top of the reloading press.
- Be sure the proper shell holder is installed in the press ram.
- Lower the press handle, thus raising the ram.
- Screw the die into the reloading press until the die contacts the shell holder.
- Raise the handle slightly and screw the die down 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn.
- Lower the handle. You will feel resistance, continue lowering the handle. The press will ‘pop’ as the linkage cams over, this will ensure that all the play is removed from the linkage system.
- The size die is now properly set up for sizing.
Setting Up Bushing Sizing Dies
Using bushing sizing dies? Your set up process for bushing dies will be the same as above process for standard sizing dies.
The difference is these dies use replaceable steel bushings so you can dial in desired neck tension. Using properly prepped cases, you can also size and decap your cases without expanding.
Bushing size can be determined two ways. Measure the outside diameter of a loaded round and subtract .002” to .003”. Measure case neck thickness, multiply by 2 and add bullet diameter and subtract .001”.
While many reloaders choose standard, non-bushing dies, bushing dies – either neck or full length – like RCBS’s MatchMaster series can be a great addition to your arsenal.
Carbide Dies
Carbide sizing dies – popular for reloading pistol calibers like 9mm Luger– are set up the same was as your standard sizing die process except, DO NOT CAM OVER, step #6 above. Screw the die into the press until it contacts the shell holder only, stop after step #4. Camming over can damage the polished carbide ring insert in the body of the die. Carbide helps the reloader size cases with no lube required.
Expander Dies
Straight walled cases – including cartridges like 357 Magnum, 44 Special, 350 Legend, or 45-70 Government require a separate die for expanding the case to accept a bullet. RCBS has two styles of expanders: a Tapered Expander and a Stepped Expander. Die sets dating prior to 2010 will have the tapered- style expander.
- Tapered Expanders
- Lower the press handle, raising the ram to the top of the stroke.
- Thread the Expander Die body down into the press until it is just above the Shell Holder
- Lock the die Lock Ring
- Loosen the Expander Plug Lock Ring and unscrew the Expander Plug out so that only two to three threads are engaged
- Raise the handle and insert a SIZED case into the Shell Holder
- Slowly lower the handle until you feel the case engage the Expander Plug; you should be able to lower the handle completely. At this point the Expander Plug has entered the case but is not set deeply enough. You should be able to screw the Expander Plug down into the case until you feel a slightly greater resistance. That resistance is the tapered portion of the Expander contacting the case mouth
- Raise the press handle slightly and turn the Expander Plug down a half turn
- Run the case back into the Expander and remove to inspect the amount of flare. Typically, a flare diameter measurement of bullet diameter + 0.030”, or less, is desirable. The objective is to expand and flare the case mouth just enough to accept the bullet when placed on top of the case.
- Adjust the Expander for more or less flaring by loosening the Lock Nut on top of the die and turning the Expander up or down.
- Stepped Expanders
- Set up would be the same as the Tapered Expander dies above except, the stepped expanders will expand the case mouth to the bullet diameter for bullet alignment. Proper set up will allow a jacketed bullet to slightly ‘snap’ into the case. The Stepped Expanders also have a flaring feature above the bullet expanding portion.
Bullet Seat Dies
Now that you’ve prepared your case, charge with powder, then get ready for more die set up to seat your bullet.
All RCBS seat dies provide a crimp area. There are two different types of crimp, a Roll Crimp and a Taper Crimp.
- Roll Crimp is typically used for heavy-recoiling rifle and pistol cartridges because it is more aggressive than Taper Crimp.
- Taper Crimp is commonly used for semi-automatic firearms because the cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case ensuring proper feeding and functioning.
Many rifle and pistol bullets do not have a cannelure or crimping groove, and the bullet is therefore seated without crimping. Some rifle and pistol bullets have a cannelure or crimping groove; this is where the case mouth is crimped into the bullet. There are two methods for seating. Seating without crimping and seating with crimping. We will address both methods.
Bullet Seat without Crimping
- Place a sized, primed and powder-charged case into the shell holder and run it to the top of the press stroke
- Screw the Seater Die into the press until you feel it touch the mouth of the case
- Back the die up one full turn and set the die Lock Ring until tight
- Unscrew the Seat Plug several turns
- Lower the case and insert a bullet onto the case mouth
- Slowly run the case into the Seater Die. Your bullet should now be seated.
- Check the bullet for proper seating depth. If the bullet is not seated properly, adjust the bullet Seater Plug in small increments until the proper depth is obtained
- Once the proper seating depth is attained, tighten the Seater Plug Lock Nut
Seating and Crimping with a roll crimp die
Using a Roll Crimp Die? This style of seating die is popular for larger pistol calibers like 44 Magnum, “cowboy” cartridges like 45-70 and 44-40, or even older safari cartridges like 500 Jeffrey.
- Place a sized, primed and powder-charged case into the Shell Holder and run it to the top of the press stroke
- Screw the Seater Die into the press until you feel it touch the mouth of the case. This will be the Roll Crimp shoulder in the body of the die contacting the case mouth
- Back the die up (away from the case mouth) one full turn and temporarily set the die Lock Ring
- Unscrew the Seat Plug several turns
- Lower the case and insert a bullet onto the case mouth
- Slowly run the case and bullet fully into the Seater Die.
- Check the bullet for proper seating depth.
- Adjust the Bullet Seat Plug in small increments and repeat this process until the proper depth is obtained.
Once your bullet is seated, you’ll then adjust your die body to get the proper amount of crimp.
- While the uncrimped cartridge is still fully inserted in the Seater Die, unscrew the Seater Plug a few turns
- Screw the Seater Die downward until you feel it touch the mouth of the case
- Lower the reloaded cartridge and adjust the Seater Die down about 1/8 turn
- Run the reloaded cartridge fully into the die and then remove the cartridge to check the crimp.
- If more crimp is desired, repeat the preceding step by adjusting the die downward 1/8 turn at a time. Over-crimping of the cartridge will cause bulging and may affect chambering
- After you are satisfied with the crimp, set the die Lock Ring and run the completed cartridge into the Seater Die, then lower the Seater Plug until it touches the bullet
- Tighten the Seater Plug Lock Nut. Once the Seater Die is properly adjusted, the bullet is seated and crimped in one operation
Seating with a Taper Crimp Die
Like roll crimp dies, taper crimp dies are used to crimp and seat bullets for cartridges like popular pistol calibers (10mm Auto, 45 Auto, 9mm Luger, 38 Special, etc.) and straight wall rifle cartridges (450 Bushmaster, 30 Carbine, 360 Buckhammer). As mentioned above, taper crimp dies like RCBS’s AR-Series are also popular when reloading for semi-autos, with cartridges like 223 Remington, 308 Winchester, 300 Blackout or 6.5 Creedmoor.
To seat and crimp using a Taper Crimp Die:
- Place a sized, primed and powder-charged case into the Shell Holder and run it to the top of the press stroke
- Screw the Taper Crimp Seat Die into the press until you feel a slight resistance. This will be the Taper Crimp shoulder in the body of the die contacting the case mouth
- Back the die up (away from the case mouth) one full turn and temporarily set the die Lock Ring
- Lower the case and insert a bullet into the case mouth
- Slowly run the case up into the Seater Die and get the bullet seated part way into the case mouth
- Adjust the Bullet Seat Plug in small increments and repeat this process until the top of the cannelure of the bullet is seated to just above the case mouth. If using bullets without a cannelure, seat to your desired Cartridge Over All Length (C.O.A.L.)
- Check the bullet for proper seating depth
- Unscrew the Bullet Seat Plug a few turns to prevent it from contacting the bullet as you adjust the Seater Die body
- Loosen the Die Lock Ring and lower the press handle, raising the cartridge fully into the Seater Die
- Screw the Seater Die body down until you feel resistance of the Crimp Shoulder touching the mouth of the case
- Continue to screw the die body down until you feel firm resistance. Use only finger pressure, do not use pliers or other tools!
- Measure the about of taper crimp you are putting onto your reloaded cartridge. The Taper Crimp angle is shallow, so you may not be able to see the amount of crimp being applied. Using the fine blade section of your calipers, measure the loaded round near the base of where the bullet is seated in the case neck. Then measure the case neck right at the case mouth. The case mouth measurement should be .001”-.002” smaller in diameter
- Adjust the Taper Crimp Seater Die Body down 1/8 turn at a time until you get this measurement. This is a trial-and-error method
- After you are satisfied with the crimp, set the Die Lock Ring and run the completed cartridge into the Seater Die
- Screw the Seater Plug down until it touches the bullet and tighten the Seater Plug Lock Nut. Once the Seater Die is properly adjusted, the bullet is seated and crimped in one operation
FINAL THOUGHTs
While setting up your dies can seem complex, now that you’ve read this guide, a little practice is all that’s required to accurately and precisely size your brass, seat your bullets and get back to shooting.
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