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Handgun Reloading

moretoys
Since I am just starting into HANDGUN reloading, (I've loaded rifles for years)I'm surprised at how many different set-ups there are. Three die sets, four die sets, one person tells me, get a separate crimping die, because the combo seat& crimp dies don't crimp that well. Why not? Another says get the Lyman M die neck expander, it is supposed to help seat the bullet straight.
Is one brand better than the others? I have always bought RCBS, and current catalogs show them reasonably priced. The only thing that I have heard consistently is "buy carbide"
I'm open for any input, thanks. P.S. I'm loading .40 S&W
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    Nothing to aggravate or stress out about. Get a 4 die, carbide, RCBS die set. Read the directions that come with it. If you and your relatives take care of it, your great grandchildren will still be using them.
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  • mark christian
    We have a dedicated reloading forum here on Gun Broker and I suggest that you also post this question there. You will certainly get plenty of answers to your question here in Ask The Experts, but we are limited by charter to just ten posts per thread and reloading questions generally take more than ten answers.
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  • 5mmgunguy
    Hi moretoys...carbide is a given for pistol reloading. As for the four vs three die discussion, I currently am using a 3 die RCBS carbide set with seating and taper crimp in one operation. Works fine.
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  • perry shooter
    I to suggest you place this on the reloading forum . But I will also try to help you with some hints. on pistol reloading. If you are loading straight walled pistol cases then You dont need to lube the cases but can use Carbide sizing dies. You will need to bell the mouth of the case to allow for ease of loading and after the bullet is seated then I prefer a Taper crimp die. This will allow a better crimp and the cases can vary slightly in length, without over crimping or under crimping. Also be aware that pistol powder is a faster burning powder because it is used in a shorter barrel THUS it is very important to have correct weight of powder .5 of a grain can go from middle of the road in pressure to on the edge of an overload. In most cartridges lead load will work just as good as jacketed loads and easy on barrels . I normally get 100,000 or more with no harm to the bore of the barrel.
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  • Nwcid
    Some good advice has been given here. I use to use the RCBS Carbide dies and they work fine.

    I have gone to using the Hornady TiN dies for my pistol loading. I use a standard 3 die set. These dies seem to run smoother for me then the RCBS did, and I have a TON (about $1500) of RCBS stuff.

    Carbide is for those that have not tried TiN dies. I have no plans on ever buying a carbide die again.
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  • v35
    Separating seating from crimping operations eliminates the bullet from moving as the case
    is being crimped.
    Using a roll crimp in a bullet crimping groove requires cases to be trimmed to the same length or crimps wont fall where they are desired to go.
    A taper crimp isn't case length sensitive.
    Use tapered expander for lead and cylindrical expander for jacketed and fmj plated bullets.
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  • elubsme
    CARBIDE all the way, how many ways can you spell carbide[?] Try carbide & you will never go back[:p]. Three die set is plenty good. No messy lube to deal with either.[;)][;)][;)][;)] Eddie
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  • coledigger4
    I have reloaded thousands of rounds of varying handgun and rifle calibers, using the 3 die sets for handguns from RCBS. The only problem I ever had was caused by me reloading nickel cases. I did scratch a die, shipped it to RCBS to get it polished, and it works just fine.

    I am not trying to say that my setup is the best, I would love to upgrade to carbide dies and do taper crimps but I just cannot afford it at this time. If I was just starting out and buying dies, I would definitely buy the best I could afford at the time.
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  • tsr1965
    It all depends on what you are reloading...rimmed revolver rounds, or rimless semi auto rounds. At any rate, the advice given you by rufe is great. That way you don't run the chance of bulging a case when seating and crimping at the same time.

    Best
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