Die questions

[ElKellym]

I have been looking over a few posts and the reloading 101 but I just cant seem to find the answer and its probably staring me in the face.

I have a hornady AP loader and I'm trying to figure out why some dies come in sets of 2 and some in sets of three.

Im real new to reloading but I find I can research most things and get a good idea before I start and kill myself


Kelly

[XDRoX]

If you're talking about rifle, the 2-die sets don't include a crimp die. Just a sizing and seating die. Many guys do not crimp their rifle loads.

[XDRoX]

Also with rifle they sell full sizing dies and collet sizing dies. If you're going to be loading for a semi auto you're going to want a full sizing die.

[Dark Mod]

For rifle you only need 2 dies. For handgun you need 3 because you have to flare the case mouth.

[Lead Waster]

To confuse matters, Lee uses bizarre naming conventions.

One set is called the pace-setter dies and they have full length resizers, then the deluxe set has full length AND collet (ie neck sizer) dies. And then they have two sets of pistol dies too, one comes with the FCD the other doesn't.

Basically, rifles only need two dies, the third would most likely be a crimp die
Pistols come in 3 dies, sometimes a fourth is it's a Lee set and they ahve the "Factory Crimp Die" which is either a Godsend or snake-oil, depending on who you ask.

[ElKellym]

Thanks for the info.