Another reloading newb

HandyDave

HandyDave

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Allright guys I've been talkin with a good friend for awhile about us goin in on a basic set up. Not so we can try and save money or dial in the perfect rifle round. Mainly just so when there is another long time shortage or the shtf we will have the capability of keeping ourselves in ammo. We both have a few old or oddball type pistols calibers that we could probably save a few bucks by reloading and some are hard to find at times. We've been saving to get started and then today my dad brings me a gift from a good family friend. A whole box of dies and small bits like deburring tools and shell holders. The family friend has been cleaning out his late brother's house and sent the word there will be more stuff heading my way as he sorts through everything. Here's a pic I took of the die boxes and everything seems to be in each box. I would appreciate if you more knowledgeable reloaders could tell me exactly what I have and how to tell if the dies are in good shape? Just by looking at them everything seems to be in good shape. 20231124_134825.jpgthe Lyman 41 s&w die set I want have any use for and same goes for the Weatherby 300 die set. So might be lookin at trading them or something. Thanks for any info you guys can offer.
 
If you have any brass that you could size in the sizing die would let you see if there is any grit trapped in the steel of the die. If there is, send it back to the manufacturer and most if not all will replace the die. If there is light cosmetic rust you can get rid of it by soaking in evap-o-rust. If you take care of a set of dies, they will last several lifetimes. Same goes for any and all of your reloading gear.
 
Those 45acp shotshell dies are not
easy to find and pricy. Need to cut off 308, 243, 30-06 brass to form and make rounds. open box lids will show condition of dies. The boxes look like they were taken care of . I suspect dies are in good shape also. but stored for a long time in non conditioned area will cause surface rust.
 
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I'll get them back out and get some pics of the dies themselves maybe tomorrow. There isn't any rust for sure cause everything including the cardboard box that everything was in is coated in oil. The 38 special dies says swc which to me means semi wadcutter. If that is correct would I need a different setting die for different projectile shapes? I've been reading up on reloading basics but I also know I'll learn more by asking and talkin to people who already reload and know what there doing. So please bare with me for any and all news questioning
 
HandyDave said:
If that is correct would I need a different setting die for different projectile shapes? I
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Sort of. yes, SWC means semi-wadcutter. You need an insert to match the shape of the bullet you are loading. Of course, another die would work as well.
 
Here's some pics of the dies in the boxes. 38 special and 45acp 20231124_171206.jpgnext is 9mm and the Weatherby 300 20231124_171541.jpgand last is the Lyman 41s&w20231124_171613.jpg
 
Charlie said:
What is the deal on the 45 shotshell dies? How are they different from regular 45 Auto dies?
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Not 100 percent sure is why I posted here to ask the experienced guys. But from what I've gathered so far the 45 shotshell die set was popular thing in the 70s and it allows you to take a 308 or 30-06 case cut it down and then use this die set to make some 45acp multi pellet shotshells instead of single projectile rounds. I didn't even know this was a thing. My only experience is with very few cci type plastic tip shotshell rounds for 22lr and 38 special. I'm a complete reloading newb. I know there's alot of guys here though who know there stuff.
 
Charlie said:
What is the deal on the 45 shotshell dies? How are they different from regular 45 Auto dies?
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They include a die for forming brass to a shape that looks like a 45acp FMJ round. The round is loaded with powder and shot, sealed with a card And crimped. Because it presents as a full length round it will feed from a 1911 magazine. I wouldn’t say super useful, but interesting. The best brass for forming seems to be 270win, but 308 is most commonly used.

I think the plastic shot shells are not for semi automatic handguns.
 
Your 9mm dies look to be non carbide. You will have to lube your 9mm rounds. Lube is not required when you have carbide dies on non bottleneck cases, although some people still do.

To verify that they are not carbide, look at the dies, where they are stamped on the top face "RCBS" they will also ve stamped "Carbo", your 38 Spc dies should be stamped this. You can also see the carbide insert inside the die.
 
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