Please explain difference between dies for pistol cartridges

[Katitmail]

I ordered Dillon XL650 with 9mm die set from Dillon.

Looking at their product page I see that Die set is 3 piece:
1. Sizing-depriming
2. Bullet seating
3. Crimping.

I assume there is one "universal" die that comes with press and that will "expand" case for a bullet between #1 and #2 dies?

Let's pretend I DON'T buy anything for "convenience" like toolheads, etc.


I'm looking to get 9x18 Makarov die set also. I'm going to go with Lee for this one. Seems like they sell 3-die set only
1. Sizing-depriming/decapping
2. Powder-through expanding
3. Bullet seating

What does it mean? I guess #1 is the same. What about #2 lee die? Will I need it or I can reuse 9mm Luger die already in toolhead?

What about #3? Lee doesn't crimp? Or it's a combo die for seating and crimping? I see that lee makes 4-die sets which I guess better for Dillon 650? There is no 4-die set for Makarov.

I guess I'm trying to understand what is MINIMUM I need to get to reload 9x18 in addition to 9mm Luger.

 

[mahansm]

On the Dillon presses there is a part called the powder funnel. It sits under the powder measure and does the neck expansion/flaring as the powder drops through it into the casing. If you ordered the press set for 9mm you will have this powder funnel as well as the proper shell plate and locator pins.

The caliber conversion kit will contain a new powder funnel of the correct dimensions as well as a new shellplate and locator pins.

You will actually only use two dies from the Lee three die set in your Dillon; the powder-through expanding die is not used. The Lee bullet seating die also does the crimping as the bullet seats.

You cannot use the 9mm powder funnel for Makarov, as the bullet diameter is different (.363 vs.356 inch).

In this case you're in luck, as the shellplate and locator pins are the same; you will need the Makarov powder funnel, part number 14980.

 

[Katitmail]

Makes sense. Is it a bid deal if bullet seating and crimping happens in one operation?

You cannot use the 9mm powder funnel for Makarov, as the bullet diameter is different (.363 vs.356 inch).

Checked prices - $27 for powder funnel (whole conversion is $77)
0.009 doesn't sound like a big difference I will see if bullet actually fits if using 9mm funnel.

 

[tygranch]

I've loaded many thousands of rounds on my Dillon 550B. 9mm, .40, .45, .44 mag. All my dies are RCBS carbide, which seat and crimp at the same time. I've never had any problem. My Dillon will be 15 years old this year and still runs like new.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

This shows how the Lee dies work.
http://leeprecision.com/reloading-dies/hand-gun-dies

With the Mak you don't need the FCD, their standard crimp works.

 

[Katitmail]

You mean I need only Crimp Die to go from 9mm to MAK?

What about sizing die?

 

[Jesse Heywood]

You mean I need only Crimp Die to go from 9mm to MAK?

What about sizing die?

I mistyped. You don't need the FCD for the MAK, which is probably why the don't sell a 4 die set. You do need the 3 die set specifically for the MAK, case size and shape is different than the 9 x 19.

 

[Katitmail]

So, bullet not crimped? Or it is crimped and seated in one die?
I'm just curious how this will work.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

From the Lee page

The Standard Three Die Set works fine when using a quality controlled source of gun brass like cases fired only in your gun. More care is required when adjusting the bullet seat and crimp die as seating and crimping occur simultaneously.

You first adjust the seating depth, then adjust the crimp. It is then one step to do both.

 

[HighExpert]

The simplest thing to do is use Dillon dies exclusively. They are all carbide which is why they may cost a little more than some of the others but they load great rounds and hold up to thousands of rounds without wearing out. The system the Dillon press uses is well thought out and proven. BTW all Dillon semiauto calibers use a taper crimp and the revolver calibers use a roll crimp die. This does a lot to smooth the process. IMO

 

[Katitmail]

HighExpert,

MAK caliber is not "blue" enough for Dillon. They are not making dies for it

BTW, Lee dies for MAKAROV available at Midway NOW (this morning they were out of stock)

 

[frankenstein406]

I would get a lee 4 die carbide die set and I think the lee bulge buster works with mak if you get range brass.

 

[Katitmail]

Lee makes only 3-die set for MAK. I already ordered it, seems like it's the only way.

 

[frankenstein406]

Nothing wrong with a 3 die should serve you well.

 

[John3921]

Found this site- with a discussion of reloading the mak.

http://www.makarov.com/mak03.html

 

[Katitmail]

Great. This is what they say:

If you have a 9 mm Parabellum caliber change kit, the belling insert works reasonably well for the 9x18 Makarov. Note that your powder die adjustment will be different if you change from the 9 mm Parabellum belling insert to the 9x18 Makarov.

This is what I thought. So, it looks like absolute minimum to add 9x18 conversion to XL650 with 9mm Luger is 3-die set from Lee.
If I spend some money for toolhead it will become even easier.

 

[Katitmail]

Also, what they say:

If you already have a 3-die set, do not throw it out just yet. You can purchase a separate taper crimp die from many reloading stores and catalogs. If a 9x18 Makarov crimp die is not available, the 9mm Parabellum die will work very nicely.