Ideal Reloading Tool

[Gadzooks Mike]

Anyone have any instructions on how to use one of these rascals? I just picked one up in .303 Savage. I think I can probably figure it out, but I'd like to have a pdf or something of the original docs for these things. Anyone?

 

[rcmodel]

http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_Lyman310Tool.htm


http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/dies/lyman-310-tool.php

rc

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Thank you, RC! You're quick! The one I have looks similar, but may be a case of "buyer ain't so smart" as I'm not sure I have the whole thing. But it also has some prongs that the other pics don't show along with a couple more holes. See what you think.

The handle is clearly stamped "SAVAGE 303". The die is stamped with something but is a bit corroded and I haven't been able to decipher it yet. I can make out "16" between the finger grip hatch and the large ring. The small tip has "243" stamped on it. I'm thinking the die doesn't go with the handles, perhaps.

Any ideas on those other holes and prongs?

 

[rcmodel]

I think what you have is an old Ideal Mfg. Co. tool that pre-dates the Lyman Ideal 310 by quite a few decades.

Not sure exactly what it is missing, or what all the do-dads do.

I know the extractor hook at the front pulls the neck-sized case out of the die.
And the short punch seats the new primer.

I think the long gizmo at the rear is just an alignment pin to keep the handles running in line with each other?

rc

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Here's a quick update of what I've found so far. RC was correct - the short prong and matching hole is for recapping. The long prong and associated hole is a bullet resizer. Also, die #16 is the die for a 303 Savage. They made two bullet seaters, one stamped 241 and the other 3xx (I've forgotten the last two numbers). 241 is for lead, the other for jacketed bullets. I have one that is stamped 243. Dunno, but I'm assuming it's for lead.

I'll keep this updated as I find out further info. Again, thanks RC for getting me started in the right direction!

 

[rodregier]

If you're interested for historic reasons, have at it. If you're looking for a practical tool for minimalistic reloading, there are easier ways.

 

[Speedo66]

I've got one too.

Here's a little review I did of mine:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=437960&highlight=relaxed+reloading

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Thanks Speedo66. Is the die adjustable? Mine either isn't or is frozen and needs a good soaking in WD40, not sure which. The bullet seater screw moves in and out and can be completely removed. It LOOKS like the larger piece should then adjust using the ring and the crosshatched finger grip, but it's pretty tight.

Edit - a good soaking in WD-40 and some cleaning later losened up the adjustment ring, now it's working as it should.

 

[TEDDY]

ideal tong tool

I have a few and they work good.remember there were no presses in those days like now.the empty case goes in the first hole with the decaper pin.then the case goes in the primer hole.next the case is charged and bullet pressed in case then back in first hole and handles closed all the way.ther was no resizing in some tools there would be a resizing die.but mostly no sizing.there was a seprate cylinder that you drove the case in for full length sizing when needed. I have one for 32/20.but my tool is a winchester.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Hi Teddy. Yup, they're very basic but functional. I'm confused with this one, though, as now that it's all adjustable and working, a 303 Savage cartridge won't fit in it at all, not in the primer hole and not in the loading die. And it really does have 303 Savage stamped on the side of the thing. I did stuff a lead bullet (sized .311) through the bullet sizer and it came out pretty close to .309. Oh, and thanks for the instructions! That's just what I was looking for, and I appreciate that! I think we had it mostly figured out, but since the cartridges didn't fit, I wasn't really sure, either.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

I think I may have found the problem of why a 303 Sav shell won't fit in the 303 Sav die. Does this insert look like original equipment to anyone?

 

[Speedo66]

The tool I have is one piece, no removable die, so no adjustment.

It's possible although the tool is stamped .303, the die itself may not be correct for that cartridge.

 

[pilot teacher]

My Ideal tool was first one. Got that one 55 years ago at the Air Force PX, Grenier AFB, NH. Loaded 30-30 for my Win 94, then Sav 340. Blew up lots of ground hogs. Then loaded 270 and 243. It was a finger buster. Still have it. But it's a show piece now.

 

[TEDDY]

die

that die dos not belong at least that end.310 dies might fit if that thread is 5/8X30.there should be a decapping die,and a seating die. there is no sizing die used.as it was black powder.you just decap,recap put powder in and bullet and put case in tool and squeez.
I will go look at mine in morning as there in shop and its cold for this old body.
I know the die is not right but dont know what is wrong.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Speedo66 - the dies itself is stamped "16" which is the correct number for the 303 Savage dies.

Teddy - I think what's wrong with the die is that insert. A 303 shell won't fit in the primer hole, which also has some sort of insert in it. Here are a couple of photos of the primer hole. It doesn't show here, but there is a hairline gap between the top of the insert and the tool. The second photo shows it from the bottom of the hole, and you can see that the insert doesn't go all the way through.

I think somebody modified this tool for a 223 Remington or something similar. If anyone knows of a way to get these %$#& inserts out of this thing, I'll sing your praises loud and long and will buy your beverage of choice as well!

 

[Seedtick]

Mike, if I wanted that sleeve out and didn't have access to a vertical mill I would drag out my dremel. I'd clamp that handle in a vise and use a diamond or carbide bit/bur to cut through the sleeve length ways in two places opposite of each other. Then if the halves wouldn't just fall free a light tap with a hammer and punch ought to break them free. Might be worth a try?

ST

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

The 303 Savage loading tool has been returned to a 303 Savage loading tool. After a good all day soaking in WD40, I was able to punch out the insert in the hole used to hold the shell for priming. The die was a bit tougher. I wrapped a piece of rubber innertube around the die and clamped it into a vice. Then grabbed the part of the insert that was extending out the bottom with a pair of channel locks and hammered on the channel locks until the insert came out.

Thank you all for your ideas and help! It was and is much apprecated!!

 

[Seedtick]

Cool! Show us a picture of the unmodification. I guess I didn't understand what needed to be done cause I didn't realize there was anything sticking out to get a hold of.

ST

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Hey Seedtick! I'll take a new photo tonight when I get home. There was an insert in the die that was sticking out just a bit - had a sort of square notch in it, too. The two photos I posted on the 16 show that a bit, though it's hard to tell from the photo that it's an insert. The insert in the shell holder for the primer shows up pretty good on the photos I posted on the 17th. (Trying to save server storage and bandwidth here.) Anyway, I saved the inserts and I'll make sure to put them in the new photo. Once I got them out, there was just a small bit of rust in the die and that was easily cleaned out. Over all, the loader is in surprisingly good shape!

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Final photo. Here's the loading tool with the two inserts extracted. As mentioned above, the inside of the die is in pretty good shape, considering it had that thing rammed up inside. Not a bad deal for $15! Just for the heck of it, I loaded one shell last night with it. Wouldn't want to HAVE to do that for every shell, but it works!

 

[rcmodel]

Well, all's well that ends well.

Turned out pretty nice!

rc

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Thanks rc! I can see this turning into a Mike Nesbitt-like adventure. All I need now is some black powder and bear grease.

Here bear. Here bear.

 

[Seedtick]

Hey Mike, I get it now. It looks good and to top it off - it works. Thanks for the pictures.

ST