vintage reloading tools, how to use
Hello: I purchased the following items for reloading the 25-35 cartridge. What do I have and how does one use them? They are made by the Ideal MFG. Co. I do not plan on casting bullets so the gas checks and the lead casting die will be put aside. However,can anyone estimate the grain size of this cast bullet? Thank you in advance.
#65279;
#65279;
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So if your mold # is 257306 it would throw about 115 gr. Your 310 style tool doesn't appear complete. Having connection problems but I'll add more later.
Added. Yep a #3. Should have a charge cup, and the muzzle resizer was an option.0 -
The Lyman company bought out Ideal years ago. To the best of my knowledge they are still making similar reloading tool(s) to this day. Do a GOOGLE search for "Lyman Tong Tools" as this is the common name that they have been sold under by Lyman for many years.
I got my start in reloading using a Lyman Tong Tool years ago. Unless you absolutely have to use it you would be much better off with one of the basic inexpensive "C" type bench presses made by the various reloading tool companies. Specially loading rifle cases, as the Tong Tool can only neck resize instead full length resize. This will cause you problems if the rifle doesn't lock up tightly and has excessive headspace because of this.0 -
The round cylindrical part with 25-35 stamped on the end is a full length shell resizer. It is usually used in conjunction with a vice. The empty cartridge case is lubed, placed into the sizer and then squeezed into the sizer using a vice. I don't believe there is a full set of dies with your 310 tool. For one, I don't see a priming die or an inside shell expanding chamber. Ed 0 -
merrbarb......the tool that you have is actually a little earlier than the 310 tool and is known as the Ideal #3. More than likely pre-WWII. Some of these early tools could be purchased with a muzzle resizing die (neck sizer) but most did not. So it is a complete set. The die is known as a double adjustable die (both the die body and the seater plug can be adjusted, the die body for crimp and the seater plug for seating depth). The die body should be stamped with a "11", the code for 25-35. The seater plug will be stamped with the last 3 digits of the cast bullet # it was designed to seat, i.e., 306 if charliemeyer007 is correct.
In your last picture, the rod with the pin is the decapping pin and the "bump" at the other end will bell the case as it is decapped. The recapper is the short bump and corresponding hole in the opposite handle on the tool itself. The long pin in the handle and the corresponding hole in the other handle is for sizing the cast bullet.
The other 3 items in your last picture are homemade somethings.
Hope this helps....
max0 -
Max: Thanks for your help, and to the others that responded. Yes, this tool is the all in one as you describe. You are spot on with your comments. The sizing die is stamped with an "11" and the seater pin with a "306". I noticed the little "dimple" on the inside handle opposed by a hole on the other handle; it is the primer seater. So the hinged pin opposed by a cone shaped hole is the sizer for the bullet. That I did not guess; thanks for the information.
FYI: This tool and the full length sizer die/decapping pin was purchased concurrent with a 90% condition octagon barrel takedown model 1894 in 25-35. The rifle dates back to 1907. I suspect that the Ideal No 3 reloading tool could date back that far as well.0
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