Different dies

One job of a reloading die is to size the case back down to where it will go in the chamber again.
So set a .30-06 up alongside a .30-30 and you decide whether they are interchangeable.
If they won't fit the same gun, they won't fit the same dies.

full length sizing, no.. neck sizing.. possibly, but I'd recommend using a die that was designed for the cartridge you are reloading.

You need to use the correct dies per caliber of gun or the shells won't fit your gun.

As simple as I can put it. They have to fit or bad things will happen

You need to get some books like the ABCs of reloading and the like, and read them, before you try loading your own shells.

It would also help to find someone that knows what they're doing to teach you, before you blow yourself up.

The answer is no, you can't use 30-06 dies to load 30-30 shells. The length of the shells are different, the diameter of the shells are different. The point of resizing the shells are to make them fit the chamber of that specific caliber. You need the right dies for that. You can't seat bullets in a 30-30 with a 30-06 die, the die is to long.

You can't shoot a 30-30 out of a 30-06 and visa versa so why would you try using a 30-06 die to resize a 30-30 shell.

No. No more than you can use a 1/2" wrench to work on a 3/4" bolt.

Mr Handi -

There are several die sets that are interchangeable. 38 Spcl & 357 Mag, 40 S&W & 10MM, 9x19 Luger & 9x21 come to mind. These are mostly pistol cartridges. However, the 2 rifle calibers you mentioned are not similar in cartridge shape or bullet shape and therefore need their own die sets.

If you need to save money, then look in the "For Sale & Trade - Reloading" forum at the bottom of the main THR page. You can typically pick up a good used set of name brand dies for $15-20. Most of these haven't reloaded 200 rounds, so they can't be worn out.

Were you trying to prove a point to someone else?

Well I hate to sound like a broken record, but I recommend EVERY ONE read LYMAN #49 or #48, DBI METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADING #3, Lee MODERN RELOADING 2nd ed. They all use Lyman data, but the who/why/what/how is totally different. There are many points in the Lee book I disagree with, such as all the Lee stuff is great, especially when talking about the Lee (so called) "warranty" and "love it or get your money back" (never happened that I know of) mentioned some 32 times in the book, or their pot metal presses. However there is some great info in it and the load data is useful.

After the person you were trying to prove a point to has read all three books, they will know more than most and you won't need to "prove a point" to them.

OK, now you owe us something

Please tell us the history of the point.

Was the point about loading or about the human nature of the people on this forum?

Thanks

Lost Sheep

"There are many points in the Lee book I disagree with, such as all the Lee stuff is great, ... mentioned some 32 times in the book, "

You actually went through a loading book you don't like so you could count "32 times" you resent, in detail? And are you suggesting Lee is unique in doing that in their manuals, as opposed to Hornady, Lyman and RCBS/Speer, or do you only resent it from Lee? Or can we guess?


"... or their pot metal presses."

Goodness. There you go again; a self appointed web expert determined to show he doesn't have a clue what "pot metal" ... or a high grade alum alloy ... is. ?? It's amusing to read but you would do well to get off that pet issue, or at least stay on topic and wait for a press thread. Or, better yet, perhaps start your own "pot metal" press thread in which you can ramble on as you wish. ??

Please forgive my going off-topic

ranger335v said:

"There are many points in the Lee book I disagree with, such as all the Lee stuff is great, ... mentioned some 32 times in the book, "

You actually went through a loading book you don't like so you could count "32 times" you resent, in detail? And are you suggesting Lee is unique in doing that in their manuals, as opposed to Hornady, Lyman and RCBS/Speer, or do you only resent it from Lee? Or can we guess?


"... or their pot metal presses."

Goodness. There you go again; a self appointed web expert determined to show he doesn't have a clue what "pot metal" ... or a high grade alum alloy ... is. ?? It's amusing to read but you would do well to get off that pet issue, or at least stay on topic and wait for a press thread. Or, better yet, perhaps start your own "pot metal" press thread in which you can ramble on as you wish. ??

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But at least he does recommend the Lee book.

Legion489 and I crossed paths in another thread (the one containing is very first post).

Given time, a little forebearance and some kindness mixed in with the guidance, I believe Legion will learn diplomacy and tact and become an asset to this forum.

I can testify that he does read what you send.

Lost Sheep

"Given time, a little forebearance and some kindness mixed in with the guidance, I believe Legion will learn diplomacy and tact and become an asset to this forum."

Perhaps,... IF we take him on as a project. But he needs knowledge and wisdom even more than he needs diplomacy, it seems getting "kicked off" another site for the same thing has taught him nothing! In the meantime, he IS funny about his pet kick against non-existant 'pot metal' presses.

pot metal.. I have cast iron pots ranger I also have aluminum pots.. so in a way I guess he's right.

He's also flawed in his logic that these metals don't make good presses.

They all use Lyman data

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I think Lee uses data from the powder manufacturer. Either way, it does have a lot of good stuff in it.

I loaded 30-06 w/ a .308 die for years till I bought a die set from a great guy on this site several months ago. I have yet to load any with the 06 dies; hopefully they'll do as good as the .308 dies

Thanks this post was mainly used to prove a point

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Just out of curiosity, would you mind telling us what the point is you were trying to prove?

It only works in vary limited applications - mostly straight walled pistol cartridges that are just different lengths.

Most manufacturers sell only 1 set of dies for .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Mag for example, and you can load both 9mm Luger and 9mm Largo with the same dies.

As a general rule of thumb though, you need 1 die set per ammo type you plan to reload for.

"pot metal.. I have cast iron pots ranger I also have aluminum pots.. so in a way I guess he's right."

Okay, okay, so I'm corrected!

My wife has a couple of pottery crock "pots", and a few stainless steel ones too, but no one makes presses outta that stuff. But the term 'pot metal' does have a deffination and it don't include aircraft grade alum alloy!

My father and I getting into handloading and he's trying to cut every corner he possoibly can.

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There are some ways you can cut corners persay.
You can choose powders that can be used for as many calibers as possible, thus eliminating having dozens of powders. Unique comes to mind in pistol powders. It is extremely versatile. IMR 4350 is a good multiple use powder for rifles.
As far as dies though, if the round is uses a bottleneck cartridge, it needs it's own die set.

Handi Man said:

My father and I getting into handloading and he's trying to cut every corner he possoibly can.

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You're a good son, keeping your Father out of trouble.

Thanks for responding.

Lost Sheep

If they still do the same deal you can get the Lee manual and a little aluminum c type press as a package deal.
When I started out I read how flimsey the little c presses were and decided to put one to the test. It has full legnth sized hundreds of cases from .223 and 30-06 to 300 win with out a problem. If it is potmetal it is the highest grade ever produced.
Funny thing is my Breech lock Challenger O type press is aluminum as well and has broken two of the steel toggle links that connect the ram to the handle but has never had a frame issue. I have also not experienced the problems with the frame flexing that I read so much about. Not saying that it doesnt flex but if it does it hasnt had an effect on anything so far.
The best way to cut corners is to spend your money on the proper tools but not the most expensive ones.
Always keep in mind that the chamber of your gun is very close to your face. Manuals are the best way to ensure the safety of you and every one around you, please buy a couple and read them. Stay within the published loads and double check these loads where possible.
Stay safe.
T

"I have also not experienced the problems with the frame flexing that I read so much about. Not saying that it doesnt flex but if it does it hasnt had an effect on anything so far."

T Bran, the Lee press "flex" we hear so much about is nonsense from self appointed experts who presume it just has to be true ... but it isn't true. Anyone with a properly held precision dial indicator can test it; just check the flex on a Lee alum alloy press and compare it to any cast iron press doing the same job with the same dies and batch of cases. Truth can be quite revealing!

I once tested my cast iron Rock Chucker II vs. two of the tiny Reloader presses. The RC lifted almost 3 thou under .30-06 FL sizing stress but the Reloaders barely moved the needle under identical loads, too little to measure. And that rigidity was on one of Lee's so called "pot metal" Reloader presses, it's the smallest "C" press ever sucessfully marketed!

The only common ground those two cartridges share is the internal mouth diameter. Using anything not designed for a specific cartridge won't work and if it does seem to have resized the case, the case is not going to have the correct resized dimensions, the word kaboom comes to mind!

GS