October 14, 201412 yr I'm reloading 30 carbine which uses pistol type three piece dies. Using normal dies like RCBS you would normally size/decap with the first die, then trim, then bell it with the second, and proceed from there. My Pacific dies have a separate sizer die, then a decapping/belling die, followed by seating. I always assumed you wanted to trim after sizing and without a belled case. When is the proper time to trim? I'm using a Lee cutter in a drill for efficiency which needs decapped brass.
October 14, 201412 yr This sounds like a traditional 3 die pistol. Chances are cases will not have to be trimmed because this case headspaces on the case mouth. If it chambers and locks up the case is proper length for this chamber. Do you load 9mm, 40,45acp? This is the same procedure and same case style. Spot check a few after sizing if you like but I don't think I'd bother or be concerned. Correct you want to check length after sizing and before decapping/bell mouthing. You know what? Check the length after sizing.
October 14, 201412 yr Pacific was bought out by Hornady in 1971. You are right today we use three dies, deprime/resize, expander, and seater. What your are saying is your expander die is depriming as well? You have to resize before you can measure and trim your case. I know of someone that would know about Pacific dies, but I will not be able to get in touch with him until the middle of next week. I'll ask and see what he says. I started reloading in the early 80's with Hornady equipment and the dies then were as stated above. OK here's and update. Check this PDF out. Pacific-Deluxe-Reloading-Dies.pdf
October 14, 201412 yr It's pretty much common sense. Size, measure case length, decap and bell mouth, prime, powder, seat bullet and TAPER CRIMP.
October 14, 201412 yr Author Unless I am completely wrong, regular pistol dies (like my 45 ACP RCBS) have one die that sizes and deprimes, a second die to flare the case mouth, and a third die to seat the bullet. You trim after die #1 but before die #2. These pacific dies have one that sizes, a second die that both flares the case mouth and deprimes, and a third to seat the bullets. Old school-I can check the length after sizing, but I can't trim without decapping and at the same time flaring the mouth. I probably need to find a way to trim cases with the spent primer intact is what I am thinking. I am currently using a Lee trimmer. T Bill- Yes, my expanding die is also my decapping die.
October 14, 201412 yr Unless I am completely wrong, regular pistol dies (like my 45 ACP RCBS) have one die that sizes and deprimes, a second die to flare the case mouth, and a third die to seat the bullet. You trim after die #1 but before die #2. These pacific dies have one that sizes, a second die that both flares the case mouth and deprimes, and a third to seat the bullets. Old school-I can check the length after sizing, but I can't trim without decapping and at the same time flaring the mouth. I probably need to find a way to trim cases with the spent primer intact is what I am thinking. I am currently using a Lee trimmer. T Bill- Yes, my expanding die is also my decapping die. Dies are made both ways. You have to adapt your procedure if you want to use those dies. Why can't you trim before depriming? I don't understand. And measure it is unlikely you'll have to trim.
October 14, 201412 yr Author Lee cutters have a pilot that needs to go through the primer hole on a piece of brass.
October 14, 201412 yr Lee cutters have a pilot that needs to go through the primer hole on a piece of brass. IC...
October 14, 201412 yr Author Exactly. I can buy new dies, which I don't want to do.. Or I can buy a case length gauge for my LE Wilson cutter, but the Lee is significantly faster and I own it already. Suggestions? I don't know if it would be good enough if I just kept the flaring down.
October 14, 201412 yr Exactly. I can buy new dies, which I don't want to do.. Or I can buy a case length gauge for my LE Wilson cutter, but the Lee is significantly faster and I own it already. Suggestions? I don't know if it would be good enough if I just kept the flaring down. Measure the cases and let me know. Bell mouthing / flaring the cases has nothing to do w/ your case length because after you insert the bullet you crimp again. BTW I'm right around the corner from you if you want to PM me.
October 14, 201412 yr Get a Lee Universal Depriming Die. Deprime, clean, then size, etc! Excellent idea...cheap easy solution
October 15, 201412 yr It works great and just pops the top if you hit a piece of berdan primed brass. It's better than having to replace the pin in your sizing die.
October 15, 201412 yr Author I measured some of my brass. Most won't need trimming this loading. I was playing around with my LE Wilson trimmer with 38 special since I have the gauges for that. I'll pass on using that. Far too slow for plinking ammo. Unless you guys can help me find a way to use my Pacific dies with the Lee cutter, I'll probably buy some RCBS dies. I don't want to spend the money but RCBS treats me well.
October 15, 201412 yr Author I'm a genius. I had the bright idea of using a 30-06 decapper to punch the primer out, then I can size and measure and proceed. I'll do this until I pony up the cash for new dies. It may take longer but I prefer this to using a hammer to seat/unseat brass in the LE Wilson gauges.
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