8x57 (.323) mauser

[SamGoldstein]

Why can't I find a Lee ultimate 4-die set for this caliber? I can only find a pacesetter 3-die set (red). If I buy the pacesetter set, what do I use for mouth expanding?

There should be a set like the 30-06 ultimate 4-die set. Is there? If someone knows where I can find this set please post here!

[TMB 1]

Is this what you're talking about? https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision...=lee+universal

[FLIGHT762]

The ultimate die set includes a F/L sizing die / Neck only collet die / seating die and a factory crimp die.

There is NO mouth expanding die.

You only use mouth expanding dies on pistol cases or straight walled rifle cases. If you're going to use cast lead bullets in bottle neck rifle cartridges, yes you might need a mouth flaring die like the Lyman M die or the Lee universal neck flaring die that TMB 1 asked about.

Have you reloaded for rifle cartridges before?

[SamGoldstein]

The ultimate die set includes a F/L sizing die / Neck only collet die / seating die and a factory crimp die.

There is NO mouth expanding die.

You only use mouth expanding dies on pistol cases or straight walled rifle cases. If you're going to use cast lead bullets in bottle neck rifle cartridges, yes you might need a mouth flaring die like the Lyman M die or the Lee universal neck flaring die that TMB 1 asked about.

Have you reloaded for rifle cartridges before?

No, I have only done pistol cartridges. What happens if the mouth on the case is dented/dinged? The bullet won't insert into the neck will it?

[FLIGHT762]

The F/L sizing die will round out any case mouth deformations.


I would suggest you read up on reloading for bottle necked Rifle cartridges.

[SamGoldstein]

Is this what you're talking about? https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision...=lee+universal

Well, I guess I'm confused. Do I need to expand the mouth at all to reload? If not, how does the bullet insert into the mouth without damaging the case or bullet?

So I need to buy an expanding die separately? I did not know this. Why does the 30-06 4-die set come with collet neck sizer and the 8mm pacesetter does not? Can I buy a collet neck sizer separately?

[SamGoldstein]

The F/L sizing die will round out any case mouth deformations.


I would suggest you read up on reloading for bottle necked Rifle cartridges.

Okay, sounds like a good suggestion.

[kcheung2]

I agree, I think you need to read up on some manuals or at the least watch some youtube videos. Once you see a rifle cartridge being reloaded you'll see how goofy your questions sound.

All my rifle reloading have only required 2 dies per cartridge: the deprimer/resizer and the seating/crimping die.

[9mmepiphany]

Well, I guess I'm confused. Do I need to expand the mouth at all to reload? If not, how does the bullet insert into the mouth without damaging the case or bullet?

You do need to expand the neck back out after the case has been resized, however...

As opposed to pistol dies which use a separate Expander Die, the neck of rifle cases is expanded by the button on the decapping pin as it is drawn back out of the case.

I'd also advise that you read up on reloading rifle cases. It is much more complicated than reloading handgun cases as it entails correct lubrication, measuring, trimming, chamfering and beveling (and likely recleaning), before you even get to putting in powder or bullets

[pacrat]

Why can't I find a Lee ultimate 4-die set for this caliber? I can only find a pacesetter 3-die set (red). If I buy the pacesetter set, what do I use for mouth expanding?

There should be a set like the 30-06 ultimate 4-die set. Is there? If someone knows where I can find this set please post here!

Lee ultimate 4 die set includes.

FL sizer.....Collet sizer.....seating die.....Factory crimp die.

Pace setter die set includes.

FL sizer....seating die.....Factory crimp die.


Bolded above is worth the time if you are loading for a milsurp. Makes fired cases better fit Sloppy deep throated chamber to start with.

Underlined, Factory crimp die is superflous POS no matter what kind of loading you plan to do. With the exception of heavy magnum pistol ammo.

The FL sizer serves 3 purposes in same die. Deprimes...Sizes...Expands neck.

The "seater" is pretty self explanatory. It seats. Most will also do a "roll crimp", if wanted.

You can also, with proper die setting procedure, use the FL sizer to "Partially Neck" size. Which will in many cases improve accuracy somewhat. And make your cases last longer.

As others said..............straight walled pistol and bottleneck rifle. Whole different enchiladas.

Time to hit the books, and familiarize yourself with the different procedures.


JM2c

[fguffey]

I'd also advise that you read up on reloading rifle cases. It is much more complicated than reloading handgun cases as it entails correct lubrication, measuring, trimming, chamfering and beveling (and likely recleaning), before you even get to putting in powder or bullets

Expand the neck with a separate expander? Yes, but what no one is telling you when loading lead bullets for the bottle neck case it is necessary to expand/bell the 'MOUTH' of the case; not the neck. Meaning after sizing the case bell the mouth of the case.

F. Guffey

[TMB 1]

Well, I guess I'm confused. Do I need to expand the mouth at all to reload? If not, how does the bullet insert into the mouth without damaging the case or bullet?

So I need to buy an expanding die separately? I did not know this. Why does the 30-06 4-die set come with collet neck sizer and the 8mm pacesetter does not? Can I buy a collet neck sizer separately?

The expander ball is in the FL size die. Like FLIGHT762 pointed out, if your loading lead bullets you need the extra die to flare the mouth so it doesn't shave your bullets when seating them.

I don't know why lee doesn't have 4 die set in 8mm, but you could get these http://www.midwayusa.com/product/264...ser-8mm-mauser and http://www.midwayusa.com/product/530...ser-8mm-mauser

[SamGoldstein]

The expander ball is in the FL size die. Like FLIGHT762 pointed out, if your loading lead bullets you need the extra die to flare the mouth so it doesn't shave your bullets when seating them.

I don't know why lee doesn't have 4 die set in 8mm, but you could get these http://www.midwayusa.com/product/264...ser-8mm-mauser and http://www.midwayusa.com/product/530...ser-8mm-mauser

Well, true. But I decided to just get the pacesetter set, and forgo the collet neck sizer. It's interesting, the Lyman reloading manual (#49) is not too keen on neck sizing only, but the Lee reloading book highly recommends it. I'll try the FL sizer first. Too bad Lee doesn't sell the collet neck sizer by itself.

[opos]

Well, true. But I decided to just get the pacesetter set, and forgo the collet neck sizer. It's interesting, the Lyman reloading manual (#49) is not too keen on neck sizing only, but the Lee reloading book highly recommends it. I'll try the FL sizer first. Too bad Lee doesn't sell the collet neck sizer by itself.

The collet neck sizer is good for someone like me that has only one rifle in the caliber in question...when I load with the collet die it only neck sizes and the rest of the case is "custom fit" to my chamber...usually when this is the case the reloads only "fit" the rifle where they were fired so it does not do a full resize to allow the reload to be fired in a number of rifles of the same caliber..neck sizing sure saves on brass damage and over working...I use a collet Lee die for 8mm mauser, 7mm mauser, 30-06 and 25-06 and it serves my purpose well as I only have one rifle in each caliber.

You can learn (after becoming proficient) to do a neck sizing only job with the full length sizing die...again tailoring the reload to fit the rifle the cartridge was fired in...but please do your homework and don't get ahead of things...rifle loading is fun and really saves money..it allows for very accurate loading..but it has a bit of a learning curve you won't be involved with in most handgun loading...

[pacrat]

opos.......Feel free to use the same collet neck sizer for different rifles of same caliber.

In my instance, I have 3 different rifles chambered in .243 Win. All you have to do is keep the ammo lots separate for each rifle. Which is not hard at all. I use a color code. Felt tip permanent markers covering the head of each case.

Red case heads............ Rem 660 carbine.

Black case heads.......... Rem 700 rifle.

Blue case heads........... Rem 788 rifle.



JM2c