Hi all. Can't decide between 2 die sets in 32-20. Like both the the Lee 3 die and the RCBS 3 die cowboy. I want to be able to load jacketed and lead with them. Lee says i can do both with theirs. RCBS says jacketed may not work as well as the lead will, thats why there called cowboy. I can roll crimp with either set but a lot of product reviews say the FCD works well in this caliber. Any thoughts from those who reload this caliber. Thanks. Z
Can't decide; 32-20 dies
- Thread starter beefyz
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I use Redding dies that I bought many years ago. They work with lead, plated, and jacketed, and I use all three in .32-20. I don't know about your choices. I bet the Lee will do both, and I suspect RCBS sells a regular set of .32-20 dies that will also.
Coincidentally, I am off to pick up a 1905 Target in .32-20 here shortly that I picked up off of Auction Arms. Woohoo. My standard 1905 .32-20 will now have company.
squarles67
Member
I use the Lee set and it works just fine with lead (that's all I load in 32-20). I bet the RCBS expander on the cowboy is just a smidge bigger.
Whichever one you decide on go slow..... those thin little suckers are easy crush with the expander
Edit to add: I don't use the FCD either, just roll crip with the seater die
Whichever one you decide on go slow..... those thin little suckers are easy crush with the expander
Edit to add: I don't use the FCD either, just roll crip with the seater die
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MMCSRET
Member
I have been using a set of Lyman All American 32-20 dies that I bought new in 1957. I've had access to several other brands over the years, tried them, they all worked but none as well as my old Lymans. I cast and load for five Colt revolvers in 32-20 and the Lyman dies do it well, but then the dies are a lot younger than even the newest Colt that gets fed the ammunition
Doogledog
Member
I use the Lee three die set for lead and jacketed with no issues. Be careful though the necks are very fragile and easily damaged. I learned the hard way.
"I don't use the FCD either, just roll crip with the seater die"
"Be careful though the necks are very fragile and easily damage".
YES, this was my impression also. I would be trimming with the little Lee setup and trims are often off a bit in other calibers. was my impression that you had to have exact case lenghts to roll crimp with the seating die, hence possibility of using the FCD OK ?
"Be careful though the necks are very fragile and easily damage".
YES, this was my impression also. I would be trimming with the little Lee setup and trims are often off a bit in other calibers. was my impression that you had to have exact case lenghts to roll crimp with the seating die, hence possibility of using the FCD OK ?
squarles67
Member
I use a Wilson trimmer to even them up, even new brass. I bought some new Remington 32-20 brass that was way off.
I've never used the Lee tool, how much variation are you talking about?
I've never used the Lee tool, how much variation are you talking about?
FROGO207
Member
From what I have experienced, the roll crimping using the Lee FCD is independent of the overall case length. You therefore do not need to be as careful when trimming those suckers as the FCD will crimp in the same spot every time regardless of the case OAL. The FCD is actually a collet type crimp activated by the length of the shell holder/die when the brass is fully within it.
bonza
Member
All the .32/20 brass (WW) I've bought over the years has been quite a bit shorter than the trim-to length in the manuals. The Lee cutter doesn't even touch the case mouth! By the way, I have a set of RCBS (non-cowboy) dies that I've had for about 15 years or so & they work fine with jacketed & cast bullets, though I mainly use cast. I'm shooting a 6" barreled c.1929 Colt Army Special.....love that gun!
bonza....i've noticed that to. i bought the starline and everyone of them are coming in at 1.286+or -. manuals say trim to 1.305 or thereabouts. so what do you do in this situation. make a batch at whatever you can get to provide a standard measurement?
i think i know why they are made that way but it would have been nice if they told you what the new trim too length was.
Speer manual says for awhile RP brass was coming in .025 longer than anyone elses and loaded with a certain bullet could have created pressure issues. so what do you use as a trim to length ?
i think i know why they are made that way but it would have been nice if they told you what the new trim too length was.
Speer manual says for awhile RP brass was coming in .025 longer than anyone elses and loaded with a certain bullet could have created pressure issues. so what do you use as a trim to length ?
bonza
Member
Yep, other than being shorter than expected the cases haven't caused any problems & reload as expected. If I recall correctly, I may have shortened the pin on the Lee trimmer pilot a smidge, so at least I can keep the cases trimmed to a consistent length.
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