Little Reloading Help

[Hellbringer2572]

Hi,
I am a noob in reloading so please go easy

I have a complete lee setup with this die set

http://leeprecision.com/delux-rifle-3-di-223-rem.html

and a factory crimp die


now for the questions, i mixed up 2 dies and i used the Collet Die which also has the de-priming rod first thinking it was the full length re sizing die.... did i mess up the brass reversing the order?

with the full length resizing die it is really hard to get the shell into the die and then sometimes when i go to pull it out the de-priming rob comes with the shell.. it is better with a whole mess of case lube i just dont know if that is normal?

for the full length die, are there better lubes other than the ones that are sold as case lube. somewhere i read that a light oil like 3-1 oil or a light motor oil works better than most case lubes... is that true?

last question..... as for powder... what is the best powder to start with in reloading? i was thinking about getting Winchester 231?

Thanks
Mike

[JNunez23]

For .223/5.56, maybe H335 from what I have read. As far as the resizing die getting stuck, use some lube and that should solve the issue. I use Hornady One-Shot, so I cant vouch for the motor oil theory.

I would also recommend you start with Winchester 231, very "forgiving" beginner powder for pistol (If you get to reloading pistol in the future)

[ChrisToad]

Hey OP, what type of rifle are you reloading .223 for?

I originally looked at the same die set, and then went with this one instead. I shoot ARs. Explained below. http://leeprecision.com/reloading-di...ter-3-die-set/

My understanding is that the Collet Die sizes the next only, and is most useful for bolt action rifles. Meaning, the brass is fire-formed to your chamber, and you only need to size the neck. For an AR, you only use the full length sizer. That set I linked to has the FL Sizer, Bullet Seater, and Crimp.

What kind of lube are you using? Sounds like the neck sizer ball is getting stuck in the mouth of the case... did you try shooting some lube into the die?

As far as powders... you showed us Rifle dies, and then asked about a pistol powder, so that made me raise an eyebrow.

[blockfort]

normally, brass that goes into the resizing die has a neck that is larger than the bullet. the ball expander goes in easy, then the die shrinks the neck, and when the expander comes out, it expands the neck.

the collet die shrinks just the neck. if you did that first, then when you use the full length die, the ball has to push its way in to the neck, and then back out again. you should feel a lot of force pushing the ball in, but pulling it out should be the same as normal.

also, the ball should not come off the decapping rod, it's screwed on tight. if you mean that the whole rod is coming out of the chuck at the top of the die then that's normal for lee. tighten it down very very hard.

[Bill Steele]

The collet die is for neck sizing. It is used on brass that has been shot in your bolt action gun. This brass is fire formed to your chamber, hence you only need to neck size to provide neck tension to hold the bullet.

The full length sizing die is to size the whole case for rounds that you have not shot in your bolt gun and for rounds you shoot in your auto-loader.

You either use a collet (neck size die) or a full length die, not both.

Buy some Dillon lube (Brian Enos or Graf and Sons sells it), it works great for rifle rounds.

[Cowboy T]

Bill's advice is good. I would add only that RCBS's case lube is also excellent stuff, and a little goes a long way. You definitely need to lube your rifle cases before putting them in the die. I'm a little surprised you didn't get one stuck in there!

You mentioned 231 as a possible powder choice. For handgun rounds, I'd heartily agree. However, for your 5.56 rounds, 231 isn't the powder you want. A much more optimal powder for 5.56 NATO is something more like H335 or BL-C(2).

[Hellbringer2572]

For .223/5.56, maybe H335

OK Thank you i will also look at Hornady one shot

Hey OP, what type of rifle are you reloading .223 for?

My understanding is that the Collet Die sizes the next only, and is most useful for bolt action rifles. Meaning, the brass is fire-formed to your chamber, and you only need to size the neck. For an AR, you only use the full length sizer. That set I linked to has the FL Sizer, Bullet Seater, and Crimp.

What kind of lube are you using? Sounds like the neck sizer ball is getting stuck in the mouth of the case... did you try shooting some lube into the die?

As far as powders... you showed us Rifle dies, and then asked about a pistol powder, so that made me raise an eyebrow.

I am shooting an AR also

That makes a lot more sense and lees directions really do not talk about that

right now i am using the lee lube but it sucks it takes a ton of the stuff and makes a mess. some people here have suggested some others i will try putting some in the die as well

as far as the powder... i told you i was a noob

Thanks

normally, brass that goes into the resizing die has a neck that is larger than the bullet. the ball expander goes in easy, then the die shrinks the neck, and when the expander comes out, it expands the neck.

the collet die shrinks just the neck. if you did that first, then when you use the full length die, the ball has to push its way in to the neck, and then back out again. you should feel a lot of force pushing the ball in, but pulling it out should be the same as normal.

also, the ball should not come off the decapping rod, it's screwed on tight. if you mean that the whole rod is coming out of the chuck at the top of the die then that's normal for lee. tighten it down very very hard.

the ball does not come off the rod, the whole rod comes out. i will tighten it some more just wanted to make sure that was semi-normal

You either use a collet (neck size die) or a full length die, not both.

Buy some Dillon lube (Brian Enos or Graf and Sons sells it), it works great for rifle rounds.

Thank you sir, i will look into the dillion lube also

Thanks Everyone
Mike

[Sunday]

Hi,
I am a noob in reloading so please go easy

I have a complete lee setup with this die set

http://leeprecision.com/delux-rifle-3-di-223-rem.html

and a factory crimp die


now for the questions, i mixed up 2 dies and i used the Collet Die which also has the de-priming rod first thinking it was the full length re sizing die.... did i mess up the brass reversing the order?

with the full length resizing die it is really hard to get the shell into the die and then sometimes when i go to pull it out the de-priming rob comes with the shell.. it is better with a whole mess of case lube i just dont know if that is normal?

for the full length die, are there better lubes other than the ones that are sold as case lube. somewhere i read that a light oil like 3-1 oil or a light motor oil works better than most case lubes... is that true?

last question..... as for powder... what is the best powder to start with in reloading? i was thinking about getting Winchester 231?

Thanks
Mike

You are in drastic need of a reloading manual . Don't reload without one or better yet several. A manual or several is necessity to reload. 3 in1 oil as a case lube would be a drastic mistake . Don't touch a reloading press with out a reloading manual. A Lyman #49 along with other is where you need to start. Study up!!! iI is not hard to reload but there is a right way and a wrong way to reload and no other. 231 and a 223 is pretty much a blown up gun..

[ireload]

Hellbringer since your questions has been answered by our veteran reloaders, I do want to add that when you reload, before you charge or put the powder in the casing or shell as you refer to, make sure that you have the right type of powder. Like when your loading pistol rounds then you should have only pistol powder on your work bench or area. Wrong type of powder would be very bad. Slow and easy to build up your confidence. Speed comes later. Double check every step. Welcome to reloading.

[Divernhunter]

I have tried the Hornady spray lube. I prefer the RCBS spray lube. It is in a pump spray bottle and I use it for 204Ruger to 50BMG resizing. You might try Win 748 for your 223. It has worked for many years for me.