Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

[callen3615]

So my lee single stage press arrived today. I know lee isnt the best brand in the world but I only get to shoot about 2-3 times a months so longevity is relative. Anyway, I spent the latter half of the afternoon figuring out how to assemble and mount the press. I followed the instructions and watched some youtube videos, and made some bullets.


I just wanted to make sure I sized everything correctly because that might be my issue with the misfires. I sized with the collet neck sizing die. I assume that I do not need to use the full length sizing die because this brass is fireformed to my chamber.

The instructions say to screw the collet neck sizing die in till it touches the top of the case holder then turn it 1 full turn. Does this sound correct? I thought there would be a more scientific way of doing this since it is how I am going to be resizing my brass.

Then i set up the bullet seating die. The lee instructions were way off on setting this up. It said to screw the bullet seating die in until it touched the case holder then turn it in 1/4th of a turn. The first bullet I seated was 2.6something OAL! I pulled that one and backed the die out 5 or 6 turns and dialed it in to 2.799.

Anyway, I loaded about 20 rounds. I had some federal brass laying around that had crimps in the primer pocket so I took the chamfer tool that came in this kit and reamed the primer pocket holes. I loaded 4 of those just to see if they work or not.

 

[Whiskey Tango Foxtrot]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

Hope you get it figgerd out.
Is this the same cpt. obvious on gCpt.?

 

[callen3615]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WhiskyTangoFoxtrot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hope you get it figgerd out.
Is this the same cpt. obvious on gCpt.? </div></div>

Um? No?

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So my lee single stage press arrived today. I know lee isnt the best brand in the world but I only get to shoot about 2-3 times a months so longevity is relative. Anyway, I spent the latter half of the afternoon figuring out how to assemble and mount the press. I followed the instructions and watched some youtube videos, and made some bullets.


I just wanted to make sure I sized everything correctly because that might be my issue with the misfires. I sized with the collet neck sizing die. I assume that I do not need to use the full length sizing die because this brass is fireformed to my chamber.

The instructions say to screw the collet neck sizing die in till it touches the top of the case holder then turn it 1 full turn. Does this sound correct? I thought there would be a more scientific way of doing this since it is how I am going to be resizing my brass.

Then i set up the bullet seating die. The lee instructions were way off on setting this up. It said to screw the bullet seating die in until it touched the case holder then turn it in 1/4th of a turn. The first bullet I seated was 2.6something OAL! I pulled that one and backed the die out 5 or 6 turns and dialed it in to 2.799.

Anyway, I loaded about 20 rounds. I had some federal brass laying around that had crimps in the primer pocket so I took the chamfer tool that came in this kit and reamed the primer pocket holes. I loaded 4 of those just to see if they work or not.




</div></div>

My head hurts after reading your post.

Let's try and keep it simple, OK?

Get a manual, or two and read their 'how to' sections.

If you can't figure out how to properly set up a seating die, you're in for some problems.

You're using a collet die, which probably isn't the best thing to learn on, either.

I'd be FL sizing my brass just to rule shit out since you've had so many misfires in the past.

You're jumping ahead three, or four steps, when you should be taking baby steps at this point in the game.

I just don't want you to blow your face off, or somebody else's.

Chris

 

[Notso]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

Dude, have you read any of the stickys on this forum? At a minimum, read this one:
Reloading 101

Pay particular attention to die setup.

Seriously, I fear if you don't start reading more and/or making friends with the old guys at the range and picking their brain, you're going to end up being the next Darwin candidate......

 

[country888]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

There is nothing wrong with reading a lot before you start reloading for the first time! But the instructions for setting up the dies in your press were correct. After setting them up correct in the press, you adjust the bullet depth with the adjustments at the top of the die, not turning the die in and out of the press. Dont be afraid to ask how to, never a stupid question in reloading!

 

[vman]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

The instructions say to screw the collet neck sizing die in till it touches the top of the case holder then turn it 1 full turn. Does this sound correct? I thought there would be a more scientific way of doing this since it is how I am going to be resizing my brass.


</div></div>

That gets you going imo, but is not the final solution to setting up for minimal sizing.

 

[callen3615]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: country888</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> But the instructions for setting up the dies in your press were correct. After setting them up correct in the press, you adjust the bullet depth with the adjustments at the top of the die, not turning the die in and out of the press. </div></div>

Thats exactly how I did it. I locked it tight everytime, I adjusted with the nut on it.

 

[callen3615]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

And yes I have read that reloading 101. Thats how the youtube video I watched told me how to set the neck collet sizing die.


I test chambered every round I made, I had one that had a noticeably different feel when I chambered it. I pulled the bullet and sized the brass again and the feeling went away. I can pull all the rounds I made a full length resize them if thats what I should do, I was just following the vague lee instructions.

 

[callen3615]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

Here are some of the videos that I used to help me set up the collet die.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhTUgytUGnM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgHR43TN5Zk

Is this guys legit? He seems to know his stuff.

 

[vossman]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

Keep working at it, read all you can. Keep us in the loop on your progress.

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

Seeing as you are now starting out with your new kit,
I think it would be prudent to start also with fresh brass,
At least not the brass that you have previously run thru your old sizing
Method and had the problems with

Good luck!

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

"...bye bye POS classic press"

In your previous thread you said you were using Lee's Classic Loader with hand dies, which is not a press rig at all, and misusing that by failing to follow the simple instructions. Now you say "..bye bye POS classic press." WTF?

No offense intended but after reading all of your problems and responses it seems reloading may not be the best use of your time.

 

[callen3615]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"...bye bye POS classic press"

In your previous thread you said you were using Lee's Classic Loader with hand dies, which is not a press rig at all, and misusing that by failing to follow the simple instructions. Now you say "..bye bye POS classic press." WTF?



</div></div>


Sorry, I didnt mean to say "classic press" I guess "classic loader" would be better?

As far as "instructions" go I never got any instructions with that kit. I watched some youtube vids of a guy loading some 30-06. I dont doubt that my misfires are somewhat my error, but I also think that some of my problems were exacerbated by that kit.

I think that I will have less (hopefully none) issues now.

 

[callen3615]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gfunkUK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Seeing as you are now starting out with your new kit,
I think it would be prudent to start also with fresh brass,
At least not the brass that you have previously run thru your old sizing
Method and had the problems with

Good luck!

</div></div>

Yes. I picked up some new winchester brass Wednesday. But I loaded some of the old brass too.

I want to figure out what the problem was, if it really was too much neck sizing these rounds will be inconstant as well. But if the issue was primer related (bad primers or damaging them while seating) they should be fine. I dont want to throw away 100 dollars worth of brass if they were ok.

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gfunkUK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Seeing as you are now starting out with your new kit,
I think it would be prudent to start also with fresh brass,
At least not the brass that you have previously run thru your old sizing
Method and had the problems with

Good luck!

</div></div>

Yes. I picked up some new winchester brass Wednesday. But I loaded some of the old brass too.

I want to figure out what the problem was, if it really was too much neck sizing these rounds will be inconstant as well. But if the issue was primer related (bad primers or damaging them while seating) they should be fine. I dont want to throw away 100 dollars worth of brass if they were ok. </div></div>

If it WAS a sizing issue, then your brass might be salvaged at a later date,
But for now, I would concentrate on your new brass, learn your equipment and techniques, and start with a 'clean slate'.

Put your old brass aside and come back to it later when your comfortable with reloading with your new setup.
Keep us posted,
yes you might get your ear chewed a bit for making silly errors etc, but it's always better (safer) to ask rather than stumble blindly forward with no help at all!

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

"Sorry, I didnt mean to say "classic press" I guess "classic loader" would be better?"

It's more accurate and that's much better. Lee's Classic Press is excellant from any mechanical aspect. Reloading is a detailed activity and attention to details is paramount for safety as well as results.

A lot of us disagree about the Lee Loader being a POS.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: Trying the single stage, bye bye POS classic press

Enthusiasm is good but take a little time to learn the way to do things. Get a reloading manual, at least 1. Read the sections on reloading and steps involved. I won't say your ammo won't fire but you are taking a long hard road to learn how to roll you own. Askk questions and take your time.