Semi-wadcutter dies?

oldironman · August 14, 2007, 08:59 PM

A guy is selling RCBS dies in 38/357 that have SWC on the box. He says it means semi-wadcutter. Does that sound right, and can you use them for roundnose, hollowpoints and the rest?

WIL TERRY · August 14, 2007, 09:15 PM

The SWC plug will heavily mark RN bullets. The plugs are cheap so go buy one for each style of bullet you plan to load. It ain't no big deal swapping 'em around !!!

Jim Watson · August 14, 2007, 09:20 PM

Really applies only to the shape of the end of the seating plug. The only problem might be marring the nose of a different bullet shape. Seating plugs are not expensive from RCBS, just call their customer service and specify the bullet. Naturally they will favor Speer bullets.
Midway has a few.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...940&t=11082005

oldironman · August 14, 2007, 09:55 PM

Good-grief, is there no end to the things I will have to buy to reload? I don't even have a press yet!. Oh well, I got the die-set for a decent price on ebay, and those plugs are pretty cheap. Now if I can just get those farts to quit bidding on the Rockchuckers

Thanks guys, I had no idea about that.

GP100man · August 14, 2007, 11:03 PM

ironman
the swc plug will serve you well givin a little time , most 38 cal. boolits are flat on the ends even hps .
if you get a little nose deformation try seating the boolit then crimping in a seprate step,or if the plug is deep enuff you can try fitting it to the nose with hot glue, forming a custom fit seater punch so to speak.
just thinking out loud!!1
ps ; if i was going to buy a press it would be a classic cast from lee,its really beefy press in my exp & i like the idea of the primers going through the ram , keeps primer dust down & away from operator!!!

GP100man

oldironman · August 14, 2007, 11:49 PM

Thanks Gp and all. All that gave me a better picture of what I have going. No probs with flat nosed bullets. Heck, there really ain't a need for round nosed bullets anyway, huh.
Sounds like I accidentally have what I need.

Are the RCBS dies and things interchangeable with Lee presses?

Thirties · August 15, 2007, 08:09 AM

You could pass on the RCBS and buy another brand of dies that include multiple plugs. Redding dies offer that, for example.

Rimrod · August 15, 2007, 03:05 PM

You can use the RCBS dies on Lee presses but if you have a Lee powder dispenser that works off of the expander die it won't work with the RCBS dies.

Sevens · August 15, 2007, 03:38 PM

You've almost got it correct-- there is no end to the things you WILL buy to reload! There is certainly a limit on the things you MUST buy to reload, but you will constantly be grabbing this or that or a new style/weight of bullet or a different powder to try, etc etc.

If you got in to reloading simply to save money, you'd have to be a VERY high volume shooter to realize a major savings. If you are a casual shooter or even a routine shooter, there's not going to be a huge savings overall. It's just a hobby all by itself. It's enjoyable, and that's a major reason we do it.

In my opinion, I wouldn't hassle with looking for a used press on Ebay or elsewhere. Believe me when I tell you that I'm one of the most frugal ever and I'll go a mile out of my way to save a buck... but for a reloading press, I find them so cheap considering how incredibly well built they are (they'll likely last a lifetime) that the small investment in a new one (Midwayusa.com) is money well spent. I've gotten 20 years out of a Lee Challenger and if I were buying or recommending RIGHT now, I'd say a Lee Classic cast. It's like $70, and I dare you to wear it out or destroy it.

oldironman · August 15, 2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

If you got in to reloading simply to save money, you'd have to be a VERY high volume shooter to realize a major savings. If you are a casual shooter or even a routine shooter, there's not going to be a huge savings overall. It's just a hobby all by itself. It's enjoyable, and that's a major reason we do it.

It's not really the money. I really want to be able to pick the exact bullet I want and push it at the exact speed of my choosing. I'd like to save money in the process, but as long as it doesn't cost a lot more, then I'll be happy. Once I got to the point where I was thinking about paying someone to work up some custom loads for me to try, I knew I had to start reloading. It's just really killing me to not already know which way is up. I'm trying to read up on it, but I'm way too antsy. Well, let me look at some of that Lee stuff. Are there 2 or 3 brands that you can say "most of there stuff is interchangeable between these 3 brands", or is it like you said with the Lee/RCBS, most of them you can mix and match a few things here and there.

Sevens · August 16, 2007, 12:19 PM

With the exception of a strange press or two (I've heard of them, but don't know them offhand), everyone's dies are standard and will screw in to anyone's press. Shell holders too. If you start your loading single stage, then you can buy up all colors of the rainbow and build terrific ammo just like anyone else. Lee Red, RCBS green, Lyman orange, Hornady red, Redding... ummm... what color is Redding stuff?

When you move to a progressive setup, then you have to pay a little more attention to coordinating your stuff. If you are loading single stage, than you can pick and choose from any brand to complete your bench.

A lot of the products from Lee outside of the press and dies incorporate lots of aluminum and plastic. So right off, this stuff feels (and is) cheap. Too cheap? I don't think so. Some I like more than others. I can think of two immediate examples. Lee's "safety scale" and Lee's "perfect powder measure".

I have both. The powder measure seems to work well, (I made thousands of rounds using one) but it feels and operates cheesy enough that I elected to upgrade to the Hornady measure. The Hornady is a helluva lot more expensive, but it's constructed like a bank vault. Now the scale also feels and looks quite cheap... but it works very well and I trust it, so I never really felt the need to upgrade or replace it. The Lee scale is like, what, $20? Check out a similar scale from RCBS and compare prices.

Try and find some equipment locally and check it out yourself.

oldironman · August 16, 2007, 10:28 PM

Sevens, thanks for the info. That is exactly the kind of response I have been looking for. I think Carter's Country in Houston sells reloading stuff. I think I'm about ready now to go do a touchy-feely session there to see what I want to buy from Midway

. It sounds like the Classic 4-hole Turret will fit me. I really don't shoot much, but I want my loads to be perfect, and I would like 2 or 3 loadings for 3 or 4 calibers. Midway has it for $84 bucks. My banker says I can't buy anymore reloading equipment until the end of the month - unless................

T. O'Heir · August 16, 2007, 10:51 PM

"...buy another brand..." It's not RCBS. It's the guy he's buying from. They sound like used dies. RCBS die sets usually come with RN and WC seater plugs. RCBS' warrantee applies to used stuff too. Any problems and they'll fix it. Even if you did the damage. No questions asked.
As mentioned, there are seater plugs for RN's, SWC's and WC's. The WC seater plug will also do SWC's and HP's. It'll flatten the HP a bit though. An SWC seater plug will do WC's and RN's as well, but there will be a wee edge. An RN can be used for SWC's and HP's, but it'll round over the edge. No big deal. The base of the bullet is the important part.

August 14, 2007, 08:59 PM	#1
oldironman Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 155	Semi-wadcutter dies? A guy is selling RCBS dies in 38/357 that have SWC on the box. He says it means semi-wadcutter. Does that sound right, and can you use them for roundnose, hollowpoints and the rest?

August 14, 2007, 09:15 PM	#2
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	You Can Get By With Loading Wadcutter Bullets With A Swc Seating Plug. The SWC plug will heavily mark RN bullets. The plugs are cheap so go buy one for each style of bullet you plan to load. It ain't no big deal swapping 'em around !!!

August 14, 2007, 11:03 PM	#5
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	seating boolits ironman the swc plug will serve you well givin a little time , most 38 cal. boolits are flat on the ends even hps . if you get a little nose deformation try seating the boolit then crimping in a seprate step,or if the plug is deep enuff you can try fitting it to the nose with hot glue, forming a custom fit seater punch so to speak. just thinking out loud!!1 ps ; if i was going to buy a press it would be a classic cast from lee,its really beefy press in my exp & i like the idea of the primers going through the ram , keeps primer dust down & away from operator!!! GP100man

August 15, 2007, 03:38 PM	#9
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	You've almost got it correct-- there is no end to the things you WILL buy to reload! There is certainly a limit on the things you MUST buy to reload, but you will constantly be grabbing this or that or a new style/weight of bullet or a different powder to try, etc etc. If you got in to reloading simply to save money, you'd have to be a VERY high volume shooter to realize a major savings. If you are a casual shooter or even a routine shooter, there's not going to be a huge savings overall. It's just a hobby all by itself. It's enjoyable, and that's a major reason we do it. In my opinion, I wouldn't hassle with looking for a used press on Ebay or elsewhere. Believe me when I tell you that I'm one of the most frugal ever and I'll go a mile out of my way to save a buck... but for a reloading press, I find them so cheap considering how incredibly well built they are (they'll likely last a lifetime) that the small investment in a new one (Midwayusa.com) is money well spent. I've gotten 20 years out of a Lee Challenger and if I were buying or recommending RIGHT now, I'd say a Lee Classic cast. It's like $70, and I dare you to wear it out or destroy it. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

August 16, 2007, 12:19 PM	#11
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	With the exception of a strange press or two (I've heard of them, but don't know them offhand), everyone's dies are standard and will screw in to anyone's press. Shell holders too. If you start your loading single stage, then you can buy up all colors of the rainbow and build terrific ammo just like anyone else. Lee Red, RCBS green, Lyman orange, Hornady red, Redding... ummm... what color is Redding stuff? When you move to a progressive setup, then you have to pay a little more attention to coordinating your stuff. If you are loading single stage, than you can pick and choose from any brand to complete your bench. A lot of the products from Lee outside of the press and dies incorporate lots of aluminum and plastic. So right off, this stuff feels (and is) cheap. Too cheap? I don't think so. Some I like more than others. I can think of two immediate examples. Lee's "safety scale" and Lee's "perfect powder measure". I have both. The powder measure seems to work well, (I made thousands of rounds using one) but it feels and operates cheesy enough that I elected to upgrade to the Hornady measure. The Hornady is a helluva lot more expensive, but it's constructed like a bank vault. Now the scale also feels and looks quite cheap... but it works very well and I trust it, so I never really felt the need to upgrade or replace it. The Lee scale is like, what, $20? Check out a similar scale from RCBS and compare prices. Try and find some equipment locally and check it out yourself. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

August 14, 2007, 09:20 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,174	Really applies only to the shape of the end of the seating plug. The only problem might be marring the nose of a different bullet shape. Seating plugs are not expensive from RCBS, just call their customer service and specify the bullet. Naturally they will favor Speer bullets. Midway has a few. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...940&t=11082005

August 14, 2007, 09:55 PM	#4
oldironman Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 155	Good-grief, is there no end to the things I will have to buy to reload? I don't even have a press yet!. Oh well, I got the die-set for a decent price on ebay, and those plugs are pretty cheap. Now if I can just get those farts to quit bidding on the Rockchuckers Thanks guys, I had no idea about that.

August 14, 2007, 11:49 PM	#6
oldironman Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 155	Thanks Gp and all. All that gave me a better picture of what I have going. No probs with flat nosed bullets. Heck, there really ain't a need for round nosed bullets anyway, huh. Sounds like I accidentally have what I need. Are the RCBS dies and things interchangeable with Lee presses?

August 15, 2007, 08:09 AM	#7
Thirties Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears Posts: 561	You could pass on the RCBS and buy another brand of dies that include multiple plugs. Redding dies offer that, for example.

August 15, 2007, 03:05 PM	#8
Rimrod Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Behind enemy lines Posts: 1,309	You can use the RCBS dies on Lee presses but if you have a Lee powder dispenser that works off of the expander die it won't work with the RCBS dies.

August 16, 2007, 10:28 PM	#12
oldironman Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 155	Sevens, thanks for the info. That is exactly the kind of response I have been looking for. I think Carter's Country in Houston sells reloading stuff. I think I'm about ready now to go do a touchy-feely session there to see what I want to buy from Midway . It sounds like the Classic 4-hole Turret will fit me. I really don't shoot much, but I want my loads to be perfect, and I would like 2 or 3 loadings for 3 or 4 calibers. Midway has it for $84 bucks. My banker says I can't buy anymore reloading equipment until the end of the month - unless................

August 16, 2007, 10:51 PM	#13
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...buy another brand..." It's not RCBS. It's the guy he's buying from. They sound like used dies. RCBS die sets usually come with RN and WC seater plugs. RCBS' warrantee applies to used stuff too. Any problems and they'll fix it. Even if you did the damage. No questions asked. As mentioned, there are seater plugs for RN's, SWC's and WC's. The WC seater plug will also do SWC's and HP's. It'll flatten the HP a bit though. An SWC seater plug will do WC's and RN's as well, but there will be a wee edge. An RN can be used for SWC's and HP's, but it'll round over the edge. No big deal. The base of the bullet is the important part.