Multiple die sets for multiple bullet loads.. (same caliber)

[Texasgrillchef]

I was thinking about buying additional die sets for certain calibers I load. I don’t see where one can buy individual dies, but could be wrong. (I use Hornady LNL progressive)

the reason I ask, is for 45-70, I load 7 different bullet types. I might cut that down to 4 maybe 5. Obviously currently with one die set, I have to adjust the bullet seater and crimp die for each bullet I want to load. Which takes time and is starting to be a pita. One of the reasons I might cut down on the number of bullets I load for this caliber.

Are the Hornady bullet seater dies sold individually? Or do we just buy complete die sets?

This isn’t the only caliber I load multiple Different bullets either.

 

[Old Stumpy]

Oddly, I could not find much on the Hornaday or RCBS web sites for individual replacement dies.
But I did find listings for same in the Redding web site listed under "standard dies".
They seem to have a very comprehensive on-line catalog which would include different seating plugs for different bullet noses I would think.
Obviously, Redding seating dies would be compatible with Hornaday sizing and expander dies.
They even offer a separate taper crimp or profile crimp die for most straight wall cartridges in addition to the standard roll crimp seating die.

This is one of the charts, which includes .45-70:

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Adjusting a die with a dummy round doesnt take much time.

 

[James Fonteneaux]

I have multiple sets for .38 and .357, same for. 40 and 10mm. IMHO, I don't mind spending the extra $ for ease of use. Of course I also have multiple presses set up to run different caliber batches at a time. I look at it this way, I didn't get into this hobby to save money. I got into it because I thought I'd enjoy it, which I do. I say spend the money on convenience to allow your hobby to be more fun and less work. FWIW, I use two LnL presses and a Dillon SDB. One dedicated press for .40 (police trade ins) and two to set for primers as I see fit. YMMV

 

[reddog81]

Having dummy rounds for each bullet makes it easy to adjust OAL and crimp.

There are a couple calibers were I own 2 die sets or have picked up random dies. All these have been picked up on eBay or for sale sections of various forums.

 

[Old Stumpy]

Adjusting a die with a dummy round doesnt take much time.

If it's an auto pistol cartridge, then it's pretty easy, because there is no crimping.
But, if it's a rimmed cartridge and the bullet has a crimp groove, then setting up both the crimp and the seating takes some time.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Midway USA has individual dies from all the major companies.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011035763

 

[Walkalong]

For that situation I have the crimp die adjusted for heavy and adjust it as needed with 7/8” shims (a pack is cheap), and use a micrometer seater.

 

[Bill M.]

You can buy seater dies separately from most, if not all, companies. I am addicted to the very expensive Redding competition seater dies so I adjust the die each time I change bullets. With the micrometer that is a very easy chore. And one could write down the settings for each bullet.

 

[jmorris]

If the same seating die will do it and it’s just a matter of accurately setting the thing, something like this and a piece of paper would be cheap and effective.



A micrometer seating die would be less expensive than 7 cheap dies too.

 

[AJC1]

I'm just sitting here in amazement that someone shoots enough 45/70 that they have 7 different bullets that they regularly load, and need dies because changing them is an inconvenience. How many shots per day are we talking here, and are you a dinosaur extermination expert and live near Jurassic park.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I have individual seating and crimp dies for every revolver caliber bullet style and weight that I shoot. I have at least five separate seating dies for .357Magnum alone.
I don't like constantly adjusting dies. I set them up and lock them in place.
I keep my seating and crimp dies separate and mark them for the bullet weight and style that they are set up for.

I am willing to absorb the additional cost of separate seating dies to eliminate the need to constantly be adjusting seating dies when I switch from loading different bullet styles and weights.

 

[Jim Watson]

I went for a while buying obsolete steel sizer .38 and .45 die sets cheap at gun shows to get the seaters for different loads.

Now I have Hornady seaters with Microjust spindles (much cheaper than Redding and good enough for pistol ammo) and make a note of the setting for each bullet.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011035763?pid=195271
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012740357?pid=394708

 

[Old Stumpy]

Midway USA has individual dies from all the major companies.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011035763

Seems like the best solution.

 

[Texasgrillchef]

I'm just sitting here in amazement that someone shoots enough 45/70 that they have 7 different bullets that they regularly load, and need dies because changing them is an inconvenience. How many shots per day are we talking here, and are you a dinosaur extermination expert and live near Jurassic park.

lol!

Well let’s just say I have a watermelon patch just to grow em to shoot!
Then I hunt Javelina, and Hog.

It’s a fun gun to shoot!

 

[Chuck R.]

For that situation I have the crimp die adjusted for heavy and adjust it as needed with 7/8” shims (a pack is cheap), and use a micrometer seater.

This is my solution also for those calibers that I load multiple bullets for.

The same shim pack is used for "adjusting" the amount of sizing for multiple rifles in the same caliber.

 

[Texasgrillchef]

I have micrometers for my 9mm and 45acp. But only load 2 different bullets for each.

The money for extra dies isn’t an issue, and probably will do that. Just wondered how many others buy additional dies.

 

[RKRCPA]

I have a separate seating die for each of my revolver cartridges so that I never need to change the adjustment for my crimp die. Changing seating depth for different bullets is quick and easy.

 

[Harriw]

I add one of Hornady's micro-adjust (micrometer) knobs to just about every seating die I own. I keep charts for setting vs COAL for each bullet, and keep track of the setting used for each load. Makes it quick and easy to switch between bullets in each caliber. Sounds like you already do this though. I do have 2 different 9mm seating dies for this same reason.

Technically, the micro-adjust is only intended for use with rifle cartridges... the stem isn't long enough to use with pistol cartridges. But if you drop a spare seating stem in there, you can adjust them such that the extra stem fills the gap, and use them for pistol cartridges as well.

 

[BBarn]

I seat and crimp with separate dies on different stations on the Hornady LNL AP. So the crimp die setting generally stays the same regardless of the bullet. Adjusting the seater is easy, especially if you have a dummy as suggested.

Separate dies are available from most die makers, but are not sold by all retailers.

 

[Walkalong]

I use the same sizer for .38 Spl & .357 Mag, different expanders, different taper crimp dies, different roll crimp ides, and the same seater.

 

[JWF III]

I do this for .300 BO now. With plans to do it in a few other calibers. Yes you can buy just the seating die. But what I’ve done is to buy Hornady sets. I put the size die away for a rainy day and mark the seating die for the bullet it’s set for.

Buying the Hornady set, you get the rebate for 100 free bullets. Once you figure that in, you come out cheaper than buying any seating die by it’s self. The only exception being the Lee seater die. And even there you about break even.

Wyman

 

[FLIGHT762]

I went for a while buying obsolete steel sizer .38 and .45 die sets cheap at gun shows to get the seaters for different loads.

Now I have Hornady seaters with Microjust spindles (much cheaper than Redding and good enough for pistol ammo) and make a note of the setting for each bullet.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011035763?pid=195271
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012740357?pid=394708

This is a great solution. It's what I use on a number of calibers. Just write down the Mic setting for each bullet on a card and you can come back to that exact setting in a few seconds. The other nice thing is the way the Hornady seating die is engineered, you can use one micro stem on another Hornady seating die that is near the same max COL. No need to buy extra micro stems. I use the same seating stem on 30/06, 270 Win. and 300 Win Mag. since they are all near 3.330 COL max. I use a second micro stem on a .260 Rem. die and on a 223 Rem. die. They are both short action Ctgs. and that 2nd stem works perfectly on both of them.

If you buy the micro stem, you can write down the micro length for all of your 45/70 bullets and go back to each setting in seconds.

 

[reddog81]

Seems like the best solution.

If you don’t mind spending $30 for a single die... You’re better off buying used sets off eBay.

 

[Erief0g]

That micrometer die has interested me but I always buy more supplies as I have enough to make everything work and the time adjusting is offset due to the volume of each reloading session. Yes I adjust for each bullet but once set I rarely load less than 1000 before changing to another.

That mic adjust die though would be sweet to have my oal for certain bullet profiles in my ledger WITH the micrometer setting for easy setup.