The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - 3-die vs. 4-die sets

tkglazie · June 16, 2012, 05:57 PM

If you like (or think you will like) to load lots of different types of bullets in small batches (1-2 boxes at a time) then a 4th die is a big help. With the crimping being done at station 4, that leaves you free set the seating die to just remove the bellmouth and nothing more.

If you like to load one bullet all the time, or plan to load huge batches of a given bullet all in a big run, any advantage that a 4th die would give you is eliminated.

I happen to like loading 4-5 different bullets at a sitting. Today for example I loaded 9mm- 3 boxes of 124gr Berrys HBFP, 2 boxes of 147gr LFP, 1 box of 124gr FMJ RN and 1 box of 124gr Berrys RN. All I touched on the 4 dies was the bullet seating stem at station 3.

Is it necessary to load cartridges this way? Certainly not. But if you think you would like to load the way I just mentioned, you might was well get the 4 die set.

June 16, 2012, 05:57 PM	#14
tkglazie Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Posts: 558	If you like (or think you will like) to load lots of different types of bullets in small batches (1-2 boxes at a time) then a 4th die is a big help. With the crimping being done at station 4, that leaves you free set the seating die to just remove the bellmouth and nothing more. If you like to load one bullet all the time, or plan to load huge batches of a given bullet all in a big run, any advantage that a 4th die would give you is eliminated. I happen to like loading 4-5 different bullets at a sitting. Today for example I loaded 9mm- 3 boxes of 124gr Berrys HBFP, 2 boxes of 147gr LFP, 1 box of 124gr FMJ RN and 1 box of 124gr Berrys RN. All I touched on the 4 dies was the bullet seating stem at station 3. Is it necessary to load cartridges this way? Certainly not. But if you think you would like to load the way I just mentioned, you might was well get the 4 die set.