Basic Q? How charge in 3 die pistol die sets?

johnw63 · April 18, 2010, 10:11 AM

I'm looking at getting the Redding titanium carbide three die pistol set for my 9mm and it comes with

a Carbide Sizing/Decapping Die, Expanding Die and Seating Die. Silly question, but does the "Expanding Die" also let you charge the case with powder? Or, do you need a separate "Charging Die"? I am a confused newbie.

Thanks.

WESHOOT2 · April 18, 2010, 11:10 AM

I ALWAYS recommend starting your die collection with the superb carbide 4-die "Deluxe" set from Lyman.
It includes a flare die that allows charging the case with a powder measure mounted on it.

Then add a LEE Carbide Factory Crimp die.....

chris in va · April 18, 2010, 12:06 PM

The Lee sizing die is also a 'powder through' and you just mount a funnel on top. Not sure on the others.

GP100man · April 18, 2010, 12:54 PM

The Lee allows you to screw the Autodisc or the pro Auto disc measure onto the die which is then activated by the case being insert & flared .

The limitations are like any other brand of measure it does`nt like some kinds of powders , big flakes or big grains .

Some say there limited by the discs but I`ve always found 1 that is good for what i do & with the pro an adjustable disc is available .

Shoney · April 18, 2010, 01:07 PM

johnw63

The sizing die squeezes the case down so it is close to factory tollerances. The case is usually deprimed with this die and then a primer is inserted.

The expspander die flairs or opens the mouth so the case can easily accept the bullet.

Depending on your method of charging, (i.e. scoop; trickle and weigh; or use a powder measure), you wouold have a funnel over the case to make sure the powder doesnt get spilled.

The seating die pushes the bullet down to it's propper cartridge length, the reduces the flair and crimps the case around the bullet.

The Redding dies are very nice, but a less expensive sets will do just as well. Unless you have a custom built pistol, you will probably not see any in accuracy between an expensive and economy die.

BigJakeJ1s · April 18, 2010, 03:49 PM

I'm not sure your actual question has been answered.

No, the Redding expander die is not a powder through expander, and does not charge the case with powder. You do not need a "powder charging die" unless you have a progressive press. It is a typical 3 die set. Lyman and Lee both make powder through expander dies if you want to put the powder measure or funnel on top of a single stage or turret press. Progressive press powder dies are available from the respective press manufacturer.

Andy

Jim Watson · April 18, 2010, 05:37 PM

If you want to use Redding dies on say a Dillon progressive loader, order their Pro Series dies which gets you sizing, seating, and crimping dies. The powder charge and case mouth flaring jobs are left to the "powder funnel" in its "powder die" provided by Dillon.

WESHOOT2 · April 19, 2010, 09:54 AM

Lyman's die has standard die threading so one can screw their (real) powder measure on top.

April 18, 2010, 10:11 AM	#1
johnw63 Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Posts: 42	Basic Q? How charge in 3 die pistol die sets? I'm looking at getting the Redding titanium carbide three die pistol set for my 9mm and it comes with a Carbide Sizing/Decapping Die, Expanding Die and Seating Die. Silly question, but does the "Expanding Die" also let you charge the case with powder? Or, do you need a separate "Charging Die"? I am a confused newbie. Thanks.

April 18, 2010, 11:10 AM	#2
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	for what you seek I ALWAYS recommend starting your die collection with the superb carbide 4-die "Deluxe" set from Lyman. It includes a flare die that allows charging the case with a powder measure mounted on it. Then add a LEE Carbide Factory Crimp die.....

April 18, 2010, 12:54 PM	#4
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	Lee expandin die The Lee allows you to screw the Autodisc or the pro Auto disc measure onto the die which is then activated by the case being insert & flared . The limitations are like any other brand of measure it does`nt like some kinds of powders , big flakes or big grains . Some say there limited by the discs but I`ve always found 1 that is good for what i do & with the pro an adjustable disc is available .

April 19, 2010, 09:54 AM	#8
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	flare drop Lyman's die has standard die threading so one can screw their (real) powder measure on top.

April 18, 2010, 12:06 PM	#3
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	The Lee sizing die is also a 'powder through' and you just mount a funnel on top. Not sure on the others.

April 18, 2010, 01:07 PM	#5
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	johnw63 The sizing die squeezes the case down so it is close to factory tollerances. The case is usually deprimed with this die and then a primer is inserted. The expspander die flairs or opens the mouth so the case can easily accept the bullet. Depending on your method of charging, (i.e. scoop; trickle and weigh; or use a powder measure), you wouold have a funnel over the case to make sure the powder doesnt get spilled. The seating die pushes the bullet down to it's propper cartridge length, the reduces the flair and crimps the case around the bullet. The Redding dies are very nice, but a less expensive sets will do just as well. Unless you have a custom built pistol, you will probably not see any in accuracy between an expensive and economy die.

April 18, 2010, 03:49 PM	#6
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	I'm not sure your actual question has been answered. No, the Redding expander die is not a powder through expander, and does not charge the case with powder. You do not need a "powder charging die" unless you have a progressive press. It is a typical 3 die set. Lyman and Lee both make powder through expander dies if you want to put the powder measure or funnel on top of a single stage or turret press. Progressive press powder dies are available from the respective press manufacturer. Andy

April 18, 2010, 05:37 PM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,187	If you want to use Redding dies on say a Dillon progressive loader, order their Pro Series dies which gets you sizing, seating, and crimping dies. The powder charge and case mouth flaring jobs are left to the "powder funnel" in its "powder die" provided by Dillon.