Real dumb question (please go easy on me!)

[<SLV>]

I haven't yet reloaded anything because I'm waiting for my neck-sizing die to come from Midway. I've polished 50 .30-06 cases, and they are sitting and waiting to be loaded. The primers are still in the cases, but I was just thinking that perhaps the neck sizing die does not deprime... is this correct?

If so, then do I have to use the full-size sizing/depriming die to deprime the cases? Also, if this is the case, then how would I set the die to deprime without sizing?

I'm sorry to bother this noble forum with such a simple question, but I appreciate your answer!

PS - I'm using the Lee Classic Cast w/Lee dies.

 

[Eagle103]

The Lee Collet die, if that's what your getting, deprimes as well. Be prepared to ask more questions after you start using them like, "why are the bullets seating loose?" At least that was my question which I solved by honing down the mandrel a bit.

 

[SASS#23149]

your necks sizing die shold also pop out the old primers.Mind is not a Lee die but i'm thinking they all prolly do,otherwise it's twice the work.

 

[<SLV>]

Thanks! When I watched the video on Lee's site I couldn't see any depriming pin in the neck sizing die.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

I've never seen a neck sizer without a primer punch. You should have no problem with depriming.

 

[Idano]

<SLV>;

Soon as I say this I'll be proven wrong, but to my knowledge all resizing dies (neck or full length) come with the decapping mandrel, otherwise, there would be no way to ensure the opening of the casing is round.

 

[shooter429]

Are the cases boxer or berdan primed?

You should have no problem with depriming.

As there is a lot of old military ammo for the 'ol '06, make sure that the cases are modern boxer primed before you try to deprime them with your new die. Otherwise, you will likely have a big problem. Just something I ran into as a newb LOL

Enjoy your new hobby and feel free to ask questions. I would much rather have questions asked and answered than regrets aired. My own preference.

Shooter429

 

[shooter429]

Are the cases boxer or berdan primed?

You should have no problem with depriming.

As there is a lot of old military ammo for the 'ol '06, make sure that the cases are modern boxer primed before you try to deprime them with your new die. Otherwise, you will likely have a big problem. Just something I ran into as a newb LOL

Enjoy your new hobby and feel free to ask questions. I would much rather have questions asked and answered than regrets aired. My own preference.

A primer on primers can be found here

http://www.centuryarms.com/support/...ebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=21&nav=0,2,3

Oops, sorry for the double post
Shooter429

 

[Cougfan2]

+1 to shooter429 If you determine they are boxer primed, there is no reason that I see to not deprime and expand the case neck to accept a new bullet. I suppose it's possible if you used an undersized expanding collett, but why would you do so? BTW, are you using the neck sizing die for a bolt action rifle? The reason ask if that if it is a semi-auto, you might have extraction problems with just neck sizing. If you are loading for accuracy for a bolt gun with a good, strong extractor, for use in the same gun all the time, then neck sizing is the way to go.

 

[<SLV>]

It is a bolt action Tikka T3, and I was told that neck sizing would gain me some velocity and accuracy.

 

[Chawbaccer]

If yoiu are re-loading brass that was last shot in your Tika you are on the right track. If it came from another gun or is new brass you would be wise to full length re-size it for the first time around.

 

[DWARREN123]

I do not reload rifle but any question of this nature is not dumb. On any reloading go slow and double check each and every step. Ask questions as needed, it's one way we all learn.
Have fun and be safe.

 

[<SLV>]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Can't wait for that Midway order to show up so I can start loading my pretty brass. BTW... the 50 pieces of brass I have all went through the Tikka as factory ammo.

 

[birdbustr]

Don't forget to lube the brass so you don't get stuck cases. Lyman or Hornady spray lube is the easiest to use. Another option is to get a universal depriming die from Lee. It seems to really cut down on hard or stuck cases. I deprime mine with the Lee deprimer and have cut off the depriming pin on my resizing dies.

 

[USSR]

Another option is to get a universal depriming die from Lee.

+1, although my Universal Depriming Die is a Lyman. I removed the decapping pin/expander ball from all my bushing dies.

Don

 

[<SLV>]

USSR can you explain what you just said? I saw the Universal Decapping Die on Midway, but when you say that you remove the decapping pin from your sizing die that makes sense, however, what is this about the expander ball? Are they one and the same? And if you remove the "expander ball" doesn't that make it too tight to seat a bullet?

Birdbuster -- you just snip/snap off the pin from the expander ball? I kind of like the idea of adding a step (I'm not in it for speed/volume) in order to tumble deprimed brass.

 

[Doug b]

Idano yep Redding body dies don't decap or expand but they do resize the case body.

 

[Sport45]

Is there a pin sticking out the bottom of your die? Sometimes Lee dies need to have the decapping pin pushed back down and the jam nut tightened. If I remember, the top of the decapping rod should be just a little above the top of the jam nut on the die.

 

[USSR]

USSR can you explain what you just said? I saw the Universal Decapping Die on Midway, but when you say that you remove the decapping pin from your sizing die that makes sense, however, what is this about the expander ball? Are they one and the same? And if you remove the "expander ball" doesn't that make it too tight to seat a bullet?

<SLV>,

With normal sizing dies, the die reduces the neck size to way below what is needed to seat a bullet with normal neck tension, and then after you have created that straight but narrow neck, you pull that nasty expander ball thru the neck, pulling the neck every which way, and opening up the neck diameter to hopefully give you proper neck tension. Aside from no longer having as straight a neck as you once had, the amount of neck tension will vary according to the thickness of the necks of the make of brass you are using. With a bushing die, you simply put in the proper size size bushing, and reduce your neck to exactly the diameter you need for proper neck tension. So, your necks are straight AND the correct diameter, and you work your brass alot less. Hope that helps.

Don

 

[<SLV>]

Thanks, Don!

I just got back from Sporstman's Warehouse with a RCBS universal depriming die (they didn't have the Lee). Took me all of a couple minutes to deprime the 50 .30-06 cases I have... now twiddling my thumbs waiting for the Midway boxes.

How does the "bushing die" fit into the process? Is it actually a replacement type die for the resizing die? Does it resize full length or just necks? Does the bushing die work well for bullet seating in non-crimp applications (like break action)? This is a die I have not heard of, so I appreciate you explanation.

 

[USSR]

How does the "bushing die" fit into the process? Is it actually a replacement type die for the resizing die? Does it resize full length or just necks? Does the bushing die work well for bullet seating in non-crimp applications (like break action)? This is a die I have not heard of, so I appreciate you explanation.

<SLV>,

A bushing die is a special type of sizing die. You can get them in full length sizing or neck sizing types. The actual bushing only resizes the neck. IMHO, there is no need to crimp rifle bullets (except for possibly under-the-barrel tube magazines) when you use a proper amount of neck tension. I never crimp for any of my rifles, which include a M1 Garand and FAL. Redding is the biggest seller of these dies.

Don

 

[<SLV>]

Thanks, Don. I like the idea of a bushing die. Unfortunately, I ordered the regular collet neck-sizing die from Midway. I'll make the bushing die a part of my next order.