Powder charging and neck flaring for rifles

[NotSoFast]

I am at a loss. I cannot find the parts to automatically charge the case and expand/flare the neck on a turret press? It seems simple and automatic on pistol die sets, but I cannot seem to find a powder charging die for rifles, at least in any brand but Lee. What gives?

First question. Is the rifle case flared for the bullet prior to seating?

Then, is there a powder charging die that I can attach a RCBS Uniflow to for reliable, repeatable powder charges? Or do I have to take the case out to charge it, then reinsert it in the press to continue?

(Konfused in California) - Chuck

 

[Cypress]

Bottleneck cases are not flared for bullet seating.

Have never used the RCBS but I'm sure someone here has.

 

[NotSoFast]

Thanks for that part. I was beginning to think I was missing something.

Also, every manual I have shows powder charging by hand which didn't help me at all.

 

[depoloni]

I believe Lee makes a "universal" model of their powder-through dies for rifles. It essentially does nothing, as I recall, but charge the case as there's no neck flaring to be done.

I've had relatively consistent charge-drops from the Lee Auto Disk, in particular the teflon-coated "pro" version, but I have NO idea how consistent they'd be up at rifle weights.

If it matters (as you said doubt it "helps" you) I reload nearly entirely on a Classic Turret Press and for rifles I do all my powder drops by hand. I'm just not reloading the 3-500 rounds in a 5-hr session that I do for my pistols. For the 50 rounds I may be reloading in one batch for rifle, hand charging really doesn't take that much longer.

Hope this helps.

 

[depoloni]

Incidentally, in the case of my "hunting ammo" I always drop charges and scale-check by hand. This includes my pistol hunting calibers - the 44mag and 41mag get single-charged by hand. No reason not to - anyone with time to hunt should take time to do it right. For my plinking ammo, like 9mm/etc, I'm really not so concerned as the auto disk gets me +/- 0.1gr which is close enough at "minute of 21 feet." Good luck to you!

 

[Griz44]

but I cannot seem to find a powder charging die for rifles, at least in any brand but Lee.

I have an idea, why not use the Lee setup?

I set my progressive Loadmaster up with the Lee PPM measure and the Lee universal charging die for less than 40 bucks. I get good consistency (+/- .05 grain) with H4350 on 30-06. Don't know what the others offer, but I bet it's expensive....

 

[depoloni]

Egh... must be bedtime. I apologize for my initial misread of your post. I'm with you it appears - obviously know of the Lee (like you, duh) but I've never seen another brand with one.

Is that a beer bottle? ;-)

 

[NotSoFast]

Griz - If the Lee PPM can be connected, then the Uniflow must be able to as well. Thanks for the pic. It helps explain things.

depoloni - While I trust the Lee Auto-Disk/Auto-Pro measure for pistol loads, I prefer something a little more adaptable for rifle loads. Plus, I would like to set up each caliber, 9mm and .223, with a separate turret and leave them so I don't have to readjust every time. That way, when I have a good load set up, I can install it, add powder and start loading immediately.

So now I'm off to make my purchases. Ya know... for an inexpensive alternate to factory loads, this sure is getting expensive.

 

[snuffy]

NSF, that set-up that grizz is using will NOT work for you turret. At least not as a true auto charge. The loadmaster turret stays put, the classic turret turns, so the return chain can't be hooked to the ram. Heck, it's getting late, I can't think straight, se ya tomorrow.

 

[Griz44]

I can't remember where I saw it, but somebody had posted a pic of that setup using a spring for forced return instead of the chain. That way it can be hooked up on a revolving turret. One of our CAD operators does this. I will try to get a picture from him on his rifle setup. He uses a classic cast turret setup with auto index.

 

[dagger dog]

There are some flare rifle dies available, the Lyman M dies, but they are specifically for loading cast lead bullets. I do not recollect, seeing any powder through expander dies.

 

[snuffy]

Hey grizz, this one?

It may be my attempt you are talking about.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=351798

But it was only marginal in it's operation. So I gave up on it, now I will be buying a Hornady case activated powder die and a new Hornady LNL measure for my lee turret.

BTW, NSF, that Hornady set-up will work on any turret, or even a progressive.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=591344

Coupled with this measure, you're looking at quite a stack of dead presidents, ($),.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=290524

This die and linkage will work with the older Hornady measure, and most measures that have a rotating drum type of dispenser. (that includes the RCBS uniflow).

 

[NotSoFast]

Snuffy - Your last post is exactly what I'm trying to do. Thanks.

 

[snuffy]

NSF, glad I could help. Here's my other case activated powder die set up on my dillon 650.



Here it's off the machine with the powder check die removed to show the linkage.



The new model linkage is slightly different, how much, I'll find out when I get the new set-up.