Handloading newbie: How do I charge this rifle case?

[stevekl]

I got a Lee 4-die turret press for Christmas, and I have already loaded a box of .38 specials. It seems pretty easy and intuitive. I decap the brass, clean it, lube it, then resize, charge with the auto-powder thingie, then seat the bullet. Easy.

But then I moved on to reloading for my Swedish Mauser, and I realized half-way through the process that I don't have an expander die, so I can't hook up the auto-powder thing.

So am I supposed to charge the cases separately outside the press with a funnel? I can't use the auto-powder attachment? Does that only work with pistol rounds for some reason?

Edit: Also Lee didn't send me a funnel. Where can I get one that's small enough to fit in the .25 caliber neck of the 6.5x55 case?

 

[Lennyjoe]

Lee makes a universal rifle charging die that works with your auto disk dispenser. Go to www.leeprecision and order one up. You can also find them on ebay all the time. I use one for my .223 and its a piece of cake.

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cat...8=/html/catalog/powhan1.html#RifleChargingDie

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

You'll find a better price at Midwayusa for that rifle charging die.

 

[Lennyjoe]

$8.49 for non dealers.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=792057

 

[fitoo1]

most powder funnels made for reloading are tapered to fit a variety of cases.

 

[stevekl]

Ok so I recently found out that this rifle die set is NOT carbide.

What extra steps should I take?

Should I lube each round? Should I lube just the outside or apply some to the inside of the neck as well?

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Did you take the time to buy the ABC's of Reloading? If not, I suggest you buy it and the second book on the list from the sticky at the top of the page for newbies and read them. You're going to have a lot of questions and reloading those will answer most of them without your having to post here.

Your dies are fine and you do need to lube rifle cases. I like Hornady one shot and Imperial sizing die wax. Both are excellent. Do not get overly generous with either, because you don't need to.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Sunray]

"...lube each round..." Yep and every 5th round or so, screw the case mouth into the lube pad. Puts a bit of lube on the expander and makes it work a bit easier.
A powder funnel can be had in any shop that sells reloading equipment. When working up a load, weigh every charge. When loading match quality ammo with match grade bullets, weigh every charge too.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Instead of looking for a funnel that will fit "inside" the neck of your rifle case, get the reloading funnel that fits on the "outside" of the neck. One funnel will generally fit from .223 up through .45-70 and beyond.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Shoney]

stevekl: You can get away with loading pistol ammo directly from a powder dispeser, but with rifle ammo, you should weigh each charge.

I started reloading in 1960 and load as follows:

RIFLE on single stage press
tumble clean brass
resize/deprime
trim/debur/chamfer
weigh powder charge
seat bullet

PISTOL on progressive
tumble clean brass
pull the lever

 

[steve4102]

Where can I get one that's small enough to fit in the .25 caliber neck of the 6.5x55 case?

What bullet are you going to be loading in that 6.5 Swede? Make sure you are using the correct size bullet! The 6.5 is NOT .25 caliber.

After reading your posts and questions I really think you should back up, get yourself a good manual and read it. Safety First. We wouldn't want you to damage your firearms or injure yourself.

 

[brickeyee]

"You can get away with loading pistol ammo directly from a powder dispeser, but with rifle ammo, you should weigh each charge."

Even the benchrest shooters use a volumetric measure.
You need a scake to set up the powder dispenser, but unless you are near maximum weight you can use a powder measure for rifles just fine.