+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14

Thread: DIE SELECTION FOR RELOADING FOR MY M1 CARBINE.....HELP NEEDED

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member bros's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 04:03 AM
    Location
    yukon
    Posts
    272
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:12 AM

    DIE SELECTION FOR RELOADING FOR MY M1 CARBINE.....HELP NEEDED

    Ok fellows......need some help here.

    Going to order reloading dies........they are going to be carbide dies and will be either LEE brand or RCBS......unless someone can convince me for the added cost to order DILLON.

    My RCBS reloading manual strongly suggests the use of "taper crimp" dies.

    The RCBS are taper crimp while the Lee are not! The Lee set in their sales pitch lay out the reasons that in the way they manufacture the die eliminates the need for the taper crimp.

    I have copied that portion for you to read if you don't mind......

    LEE – Three-Die Carbide Rifle Set-30 M1icon Carbine -90626
    Lee carbide dies are contour ground to provide step-less sizing. After sizing a case, except for the burnish, you cannot tell where the sizer stopped. Other brands leave a pronounced step where the die stops. With a carbide sizer, no case lube is needed, and you don’t even have to clean your cases.
    No need for a taper crimp die, plus better accuracy with Lee Dies. Taper crimp dies are used to correct the problems caused by the improper expanding plug design or adjustment. They distort the bullet shank and reduce accuracy. Because the Lee Expander flares the minimum amount, consistent with easy bullet insertion, all of the flare is removed with the bullet seating die, thus eliminating the need for a taper crimp die.
    Each die has an enlarged mouth to dependably align even range damaged cases. They are built to last for the large volume reloader.





    I will still use lube......but the question remains are Lee more user friendly and better "or" should I still go with the taper crimp set from RCBS or Dillon?

    Dies will be exclusively used for the M1 Carbine.

    ---------- Post added at 10:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 AM ----------

    Sorry my oversight......this thread probably should be in the reloading section......
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member Roy W's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Last On
    Today @ 07:05 AM
    Location
    Hampshire
    Posts
    561
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:12 AM
    I use the RCBS dies without any issues

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Advisory Panel Parashooter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 02:24 AM
    Location
    Connecticut
    Age
    79
    Posts
    677
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:12 AM
    Because the .30 carbine headspaces on the mouth, loads should not be crimped. If mouths are flared for loading cast bullets, any style seat/crimp die can be adjusted to remove flare without further reducing mouth diameter. For jacketed bullets, no flare may be needed if mouths are chamfered - though some will seat easier with a bit of flare.

  6. #4
    Advisory Panel
    USGI's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    @
    Location
    Oregon, USA
    Age
    78
    Posts
    2,187
    Real Name
    Bob
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:12 AM
    I use the Lee dies, but with the RCBS shell holder which fits better than Lee's. You will find huge differences in brands of cases, even in LC over the years. Some are much easier to size than others. I taper crimp mine but only about a thousandth or two. Trim length is very critical. Case heads can pull off if you don't lube. - Bob

  7. #5
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,836
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:12 AM
    I prefer RCBS without question, never used a carbide die on Carbine. I lubed them and used standard dies. I trimmed to length and chamfered inside and out I used a modest case mouth bell because I almost always used lead gas check and still have that mould. I never used a taper crimp and never crimped. Just seat and they should go back to straight taper, if a taper crimp then as stated, just a touch.

    A friend of mine couldn't get his ammo to come around, bullets didn't stay in cases and things weren't working right. I had him bring the whole thing over including dies, he had something other than RCBS, so I set up and ran all his cases through my dies and loaded everything without issue. They all worked and fit without fail...
    Regards, Jim

  8. Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  9. #6
    Contributing Member ssgross's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 09:16 PM
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    1,517
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:12 AM
    speaking of shell holders, I just got lee dies for 7.5 MAS. First time using lee dies, it was all that I could find available. It was nice that the shell holder came with it, but the opening was too small for the large primer cup on my Hornady iron press to pass through. It ruined the mouth of the cup. Luckily I had a spare, and diagnosed the problem before any more serious damage was done. Maybe something to consider, not knowing what kind of press you have.

  10. #7
    Legacy Member M94/14's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 04:50 AM
    Posts
    144
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:12 AM
    "Lee carbide dies are contour ground to provide step-less sizing. After sizing a case, except for the burnish, you cannot tell where the sizer stopped. Other brands leave a pronounced step where the die stops."

    If wanting to use a die set with a carbide sizer, this is important, at least to me.

    Unless the RCBS sizer is also "Contour" ground, which in this case means that the carbide sizing insert is ground to the same taper angle as the case, then I would go with the Lee sizer. The .30 carbine cases need very little expanding if seating jacketed bullets.

    Pay special attention to case length with the carbine brass, they grow alot when sized.

    I don't taper crimp mine, I just adjust the seating die carefully so that it just removes the slight bellmouth in the case as the bullet approaches full seating depth. This is easy to accomplish, but may take a few "dry" runs to get there. Using this method I have never had bullet "set back" during loading or firing, the carbine bullets have a long bearing surface so they stick into the cases very well.
    Last edited by M94/14; 01-24-2021 at 06:49 PM.

  11. #8
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,836
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:12 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by jakester View Post
    Pay special attention to case length with the carbine brass, they grow alot when sized.
    Yes they do. Wide chambers can make this more than less too.
    Regards, Jim

  12. #9
    Legacy Member TDH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    05-16-2021 @ 09:14 AM
    Posts
    752
    Real Name
    Tom
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:12 AM
    I use the lee dies and once set up correctly they work fine Like these fine gentle men have said trim length is critical and a use a squirt or two of Hornady sure shot and they go in slick and easy/

  13. #10
    Contributing Member ssgross's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 09:16 PM
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    1,517
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:12 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by TDH View Post
    once set up correctly they work fine
    My only complaints on the lee sizer dies themselves is the rod that holds the expander ball does not have a removable/replaceable pin, and the rod is smooth sided, so is secured only by friction from the locking nut. I kept wrenching the nut down, and it kept slipping after 5 or so rounds (again, my only lee die is in 7.5 Frenchicon). I finally put it on my bench vise, added some nickel anti-sieze to the threads to prevent galling, and applied an unreasonable amount of torque. It hasn't slipped since.
    In my troubleshooting, I noticed the expander ball had quite a rough surface compared to the mirror finish of my Hornady and rcbs dies. So I chucked it up in a drill press, and started polishing with 800 grit emery paper, working my way up to 2500, followed by jewelers rouge.
    So, I would agree with all the work just fine statements. My general 2 cents about lee dies is that if I were a beginner who had not yet acquired a "feel" for what normal operation should be like...this issue of rod slipping and rough expander ball for bottleneck cases, not to mention the increased chances of breaking or bending a decapping tip with inexperience, would likely cause a lot of frustration and possibly damage that could be avoided by going with just about any other brand.
    Of course, my expander ball complaint is mute since the OP was about a straight wall cartridge.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Reloading BP cartridges (help needed)
    By villiers in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 41
    Last Post: 08-19-2014, 11:53 AM
  2. Reloading BP cartridges (help needed)
    By villiers in forum Black Powder
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 10-30-2013, 08:08 AM
  3. Reloading recipe needed
    By Reload in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 07-10-2012, 10:20 PM
  4. Reloading recipe needed
    By Reload in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-30-2012, 08:59 AM
  5. Reloading help needed for colt combat commander
    By Tom William in forum 1911/1911A1 Service Pistol
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-13-2010, 08:13 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks