Toprudder
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Given the press you bought, you would be better off with the breech-lock version, which won't require buying another breech-lock insert.
https://leeprecision.com/BreechLock-Ram-Prime.html
Future reloader.
- Thread starter BLACKFIN
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https://leeprecision.com/BreechLock-Ram-Prime.html
Toprudder
Member
What I do: Check each of the first few, then every 2 or 3, then every 10 or so - until you have confidence it is dropping consistent weights. Since you are running a single-stage, you will be doing batches in a loading block, and it is a good idea to inspect all the cases after you have dropped powder to see if they appear to all be the same amount - no missed drops or double charges.
ballman6711
Member
A powder measure can be gotten cheap, and it can be a good one, but will put you over your budget. My father loaded thousands of rounds with Lee scoops.
But to answer your question, YOU have to do what YOU feel is correct, and more importantly, SAFE. I load on a single stage and weigh every charge on a beam scale, even though I trust my powder dispenser. AND different powders will drop differently. W-231 and H-110 both drop very consistently for me. Trailboss doesn't, and I have to measure and trickle up or sometimes drop the charge back in the powder measure. Same thing with Vihtavouri powder. So I would feel confident setting and verifying my measure using W-231 or H-110 and checking every "X" number of rounds, but I don't because I just want to make sure. Takes a bit longer, but I'm not in a rush when loading.
As stated in a previous post, 0.4 or 0.5 grains can make a HUGE difference. Sometimes that's the difference between a min load and a max load. Or a mid range load and one that is over pressure.
So I'll ask you some questions, and you need to answer them for yourself. Not for me or anyone else, just you.
How comfortable are you while making small explosives that you will set off a few feet from your face (or less if it's a rifle)?
Do you trust your measure enough to check the initial weight and then verify every "x" number of rounds?
Would you let a loved one shoot your handloaded ammo without verifying that it won't go KABOOM?
Not trying to be a butthead, just trying to help a new reloader out. We've all been there, and we've all had questions as well as problems. Don't hesitate to ask about anything that you're not sure about. Better to be safe than sorry!
chris
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BLACKFIN
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can you explain the difference between the two? I Don’t get it.
https://leeprecision.com/ram-prime.html
vs
https://leeprecision.com/BreechLock-Ram-Prime.html
thank you
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kmw1954
Member
Going to be hard to get both and maintain that $150.00 budget. For that money it's pretty much one or the other. If budget wasn't a consideration then yes get both.
Toprudder
Member
The press you bought uses breechlock inserts.
The die threads into the bushing, and the bushing goes into the press. If you have a bushing for every die, then die changes are quick and easy. If you only have one bushing, then every die must be threaded in every time you change dies, as it would for any other brand press. The ram-prime I linked to does not require an insert, as the breechlock feature is built in. The disadvantage is that it can only be used with a Lee press that has the breechlock feature.
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BLACKFIN
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And this allows a non-Lee Breech Lock press to use Lee Breech Lock Bushings, whether manufactured by Lee or any other company.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1021759892
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1021759892
Toprudder
Member
If yours is the older press, then it won't have the bushings.
Those will only work if the press has reducing bushings.
ON EDIT: I intended to add to what Mr. Zorg had said, not to dispute him. My apologies.
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Did you read the list of presses at the link? It literally spells out compatible presses for the two different sizes offered. Note neither I nor MidwayUSA nor Lee said anything about reducing bushings, but the specific list of compatible Lee & non-Lee presses is pretty unambiguous IMO. YMMV
Here's the Lee Precision link which adds " and more (verify your removable press bushing/adapter size is 1 1/4"-12" for the smaller version.
https://leeprecision.com/1-1-4-12-bl-update-kit.html
Larger version similar qualifiers for different size
https://leeprecision.com/1-1-2-12-bl-update-kit.html
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ballman6711
Member
Coldfinger
Member
I didn't read thru each comment. I'd recommend starting with 9mm. That being said
Lube pad, power funnel, case trimmer, neck brushes (not everyone gets that involved with 5.56)
Welcome to the most addictive, expensive, exciting and rewarding hobby on the planet. Be safe and never stop learning. Old dogs new tricks n whatnot
Goose
Lube pad, power funnel, case trimmer, neck brushes (not everyone gets that involved with 5.56)
Welcome to the most addictive, expensive, exciting and rewarding hobby on the planet. Be safe and never stop learning. Old dogs new tricks n whatnot
Goose
Toprudder
Member
I don't think you understand what I meant, maybe I did not explain it well.
The standard dies are threaded 7/8"-14. If the press itself is threaded for standard dies, then there is no way that you can install a breechlock insert. The two sizes available for the breechlock inserts are 1-1/4"-12, or 1-1/2"-12. The press MUST be threaded those sizes for the breechlock insert to work. Presses that are threaded those sizes come with a reducer installed, which is threaded internally to the normal 7/8"-14 so that normal dies can be used. Here is a photo with the reducer in an RCBS press:
Not all presses have those reducers, the press itself is threaded 7/8"-14.
Midway DOES say something about reducer bushings, since you have to order the correct size for the press you have, namely 1-1/4"-12 or 1-1/2"-12.
And I will note that this list is NOT comprehensive, I know for a fact that the RCBS Summit press has a reducer in it, since I had installed a Hornady bushing insert kit on the one I had.
So, Lee does mention it, although they call them "removable press bushing/adapter" where I called them reducers. Same thing.
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Just to clear things up, although I'm a new reloader,I don't think you understand what I meant, maybe I did not explain it well.
The standard dies are threaded 7/8"-14. If the press itself is threaded for standard dies, then there is no way that you can install a breechlock insert. The two sizes available for the breechlock inserts are 1-1/4"-12, or 1-1/2"-12. The press MUST be threaded those sizes for the breechlock insert to work. Presses that are threaded those sizes come with a reducer installed, which is threaded internally to the normal 7/8"-14 so that normal dies can be used. Here is a photo with the reducer in an RCBS press:
View attachment 942346
Not all presses have those reducers, the press itself is threaded 7/8"-14.
Midway DOES say something about reducer bushings, since you have to order the correct size for the press you have, namely 1-1/4"-12 or 1-1/2"-12.
And I will note that this list is NOT comprehensive, I know for a fact that the RCBS Summit press has a reducer in it, since I had installed a Hornady bushing insert kit on the one I had.
So, Lee does mention it, although they call them "removable press bushing/adapter" where I called them reducers. Same thing.
1. I understand both how Lee explained it as well as you. I own a Lee Classic Cast Press With Breech Lock Update Kit that I purchased from MidwayUSA earlier this year.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013008991?pid=317831
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/another-incipient-reloader.871678/
2. I recognize those lists aren't exhaustive, as does Lee. I'd hoped that was evident in a part of my post you copied into your note AFTER your mention the list is not exhaustive, specifically. Instead of selectively copying only parts of my post into yours, here's the whole thing with what should demonstrate that I, and Lee Precision, understood this BEFORE you spelled it out for us underlined for clarity for you.
So your presumptions on my understanding, knowledge, and experience base are no less off base with your latest post than your prior post. Do you understand?
Toprudder
Member
Yes! Very clear. I apologize.
My original comment on the reducers was meant to try to make it clear to others reading this thread, and was not aimed at you.
Well it's possible others reading the Lee Precision verbiage on that and other Lee Precision products are able to achieve the same comprehension level I was able to achieve, but I wouldn't go so far as to say 100% of them might.
ballman6711
Member
I may be wrong since I've never seen a two die set for pistol, but I think they are all three die sets. First die is used to size and de-prime, second flares the case to allow bullet seating, and third die seats and crimps. Personally I prefer to seat and crimp separately, it works better for me.
Can you post a link to this "two die" set? I'd really like to see it.
chris
Toprudder
Member
Yes, it works for both. The 9x21 cartridge was created for countries where use of military cartridges by civilians was prohibited. It is nothing more than the 9x19 extended by 2mm, and allowed existing guns to be converted merely by reaming the chamber slightly deeper.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9×21mm
cardinalorange
Member
2 Die sets are usually just sizing/flaring dies, I would assume they're marketed towards people who are using competition seating/crimping dies:
https://www.amazon.com/S3-RELOAD-Carbide-Luger-Pistol/dp/B01LIA6JYG
@BLACKFIN you'll need dies to do the following: Decap, resize, flare, seat, and crimp (which some reloaders don't do). You have an option of combining some of these in the same die or ignoring (some of) them entirely. You'll definitely need to decap, but almost all sizing dies decap. You can also decap manually. You'll definitely need to resize. I suggest a carbide die, they stick a lot less. I would suggest a flaring die, but I don't know if it's 100% required. You'll need a seating die, and you can get seating dies that also have a taper crimp built in, or can buy a separate crimp die. You do not need to, and I was repeatedly warned not to, roll crimp 9mm. Usually a 3 or 4 die set is what you want, as it has a :
Decap/sizing die
Flare die
Seating die (or seating and crimp die)
crimp die
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ballman6711
Member
Thanks for the info, never new they existed. But as you said, a third die is still needed for seating/crimping.
chris
Toprudder
Member
I clicked on the link to that 2 die set, Those are special dies for the two piece cases from Shell Shock Technologies. The sizing and expanding/flaring operations cause tension on the cases, which could pull apart the S3 cases. These dies use springs to push instead of pull the cases from the dies. Normal seating and crimping dies can be used, however, so they didn't try to reinvent those. These dies can be used for regular brass cases, though.
One advantage to these cases is that the heads are ferrous, so they can be picked up with a magnet.
https://s3reload.com/
One advantage to these cases is that the heads are ferrous, so they can be picked up with a magnet.
https://s3reload.com/
cardinalorange
Member
You can also find 2 die sets that are not part of Shell Shocks, that was just the first I saw on a google to find a link. Here is another:
https://www.natchezss.com/redding-p...ie-set-for-straight-wall-cases-9mm-luger.html
This one has a 2 die set that just contains a seating die and a sizing die, where the 3 die set has a "neck sizing die" as well. You just have to look at each set and see what it actually contains. "Most" of the sets now have the standard/normal 3/4 dies, but there are mixes and matches of everything out there.
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BLACKFIN
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Update:
All right guys I think I have everything that I need to get started with the budget i had to work with. I may add a few things here and there as money allows.
Budget: $150.00
Lee single stage press: $25
Lee Safety balance $30
Lee Ram prime unit small & Large $12
Lee Perfect powder measure $26
Caliper: $10
Case lube/wax: Free samples
Lee 3-Die Carbide Sets 9mm Luger $34
Shell holder 9mm: Free (included with dies set)
Powder scoop: Free (included with dies set)
Total = $137.00
And since i wanted to reload both 9mm & 223, i picked another set of dies and a case trimmer
Lee Pacesetter Rifle Dies .223: $35
Shell holder 223: Free (included with dies set)
Powder scoop: Free (included with dies set)
Lee Deluxe Quick trim case trimmer: $20
TOTAL for both calibers: 192
I want to thank each of everyone of you for the amazing help that you guys provide
All right guys I think I have everything that I need to get started with the budget i had to work with. I may add a few things here and there as money allows.
Budget: $150.00
Lee single stage press: $25
Lee Safety balance $30
Lee Ram prime unit small & Large $12
Lee Perfect powder measure $26
Caliper: $10
Case lube/wax: Free samples
Lee 3-Die Carbide Sets 9mm Luger $34
Shell holder 9mm: Free (included with dies set)
Powder scoop: Free (included with dies set)
Total = $137.00
And since i wanted to reload both 9mm & 223, i picked another set of dies and a case trimmer
Lee Pacesetter Rifle Dies .223: $35
Shell holder 223: Free (included with dies set)
Powder scoop: Free (included with dies set)
Lee Deluxe Quick trim case trimmer: $20
TOTAL for both calibers: 192
I want to thank each of everyone of you for the amazing help that you guys provide
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