7,62x25, newbie

[Eluoci]

i wanna start reloading for my tokarev, but have no idea where to begin, though i had ask questions at gun store were i work and read some threads on it, but my dumb head got even more confused , don't know what my options are. If you guys could explain some of that stuff, i would be so grateful ! ill sort everything by numbers and will try not to confuse anybody (especially my self )

1) Can dies form different manufactures be interchanged, they problem is form Dillon Precision, Lyman, RCBS (that's the only brands i know) only RCBS makes the dies for 7,62x25 https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/Ma...nlabel=index&productId=1591&route=C09J155N142
a) Am i wrong, does any body else make them in better quality?
b) If dies are interchangeable, would i be able to use them in Dillon's XL 650 press? (i saw Redding ".30 Carbine Custom Carbide Die Set" will they do the job? http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/co...4/Redding__30_Carbine_Custom_Carbide__Die_Set)

2) What kind off set up should i be looking at, i also want to load .308 and possibly 9mm, will Dillon's XL 650 be overkill, will it do good on rifle rounds?

3) What will look like list of equipment that i 'must have' to start reloading
a) if i get XL560 what else would i need?
b) if i go with something simpler what that list would be?

4) What Reloading manual should i use? can i use Lyman manual with dillon's press?

5) what type of components will work best,if i want to load close to original surplus 'hotness'
i already got 100 cases from Starline, 200 more coming,
i also got some 30cal Mauser 86gr by Hornandy, will they do for now, what's 'better'?

will get:
powder
primers
lube
anything else?

One reasons i wanna reload for it, instead of buying cheap surplus is, i shoot at indoor range that does not allowed steelcore and for a good reason even lead sometimes comes back hard, and i would of not wanna to hurt someone with those hotties, still haven't fire a round from the gun =(((

 

[ATOM]

In no particular order...

1. Most of the major ammo makers publish reloading manuals. All of them are OK. They are all based on tested loads and common mathematical models. Hard to go wrong. A manual should be your first purchase. Read it before buying anything else as it will give you a lot to think about.

2. What kind of setup you need depends on your shooting. If you're shooting 100 rounds a week, a normal O press will do you just fine. If you're putting 1,000 down-range every week, you probably need a progressive. Somewhere in between, a turret.

You can spend as much money as you have, plus 10%, and turn out no better ammo than a much simpler (and cheaper) setup. My suggestion would be (unless you're firing that 1,000 RPW) to start off fairly basic until you understand what you are doing. I still have the first press I bought and it's chugging along just fine. I've bought some upgrade stuff here and there, but generally just because it's more convenient than because it does a better job.

3. Almost all major makers' dies will fit in each other's presses, unless you're doing something unusual like .50 BMG. I have an RCBS press and use dies by Redding, Lyman, RCBS and Lee - no problems.

4. Looking at the major dealers (eg Cabela's), you will see kits containing a press, scale, powder thrower, etc. Any one of those, along with a set of dies in the right size, are all that you need to start producing very good ammo. (You will of course also need a sturdy table and separate sturdy locking boxes to store propellant and primers in.)

A couple of reloading blocks to hold the cases as you work is a good idea.

Eventually, you're going to need a stuck case puller, but maybe not for years. (Look at your almanac, choose the worst weather for the decade, 5 minutes before closing time for your local shooting supply store - that's when you will need it.)

I like powder tricklers; others do not. Personal call.

As to the rest - load a few and the nice-to-haves best suited for you will become apparent.

4. As for 'hotness', every manual and every loader with a full compliment of fingers and facial parts will say the same thing - start low and work up until you start seeing signs of excess pressure (your manual will explain further) and then back off just a bit.

 

[Eluoci]

Thank you ATOM, it was real help!!!, sorted it all out now.

 

[glycerin]

Suggest you stay away from Lee dies for 7.62X25. Their expander is very ineffective on short neck case; my bullets, both cast and jacketed were going in crooked, and bulging necks. Lyman, RCBS and dillon all have M type expander-flaring tool, gives bullet a much better entry into neck. Steel dies require lubed cases.

 

[Eluoci]

Suggest you stay away from Lee dies for 7.62X25. Their expander is very ineffective on short neck case; my bullets, both cast and jacketed were going in crooked, and bulging necks. Lyman, RCBS and dillon all have M type expander-flaring tool, gives bullet a much better entry into neck. Steel dies require lubed cases.

glycerin, thanks for info, will know. i was lucky enough to get last set of Lyman dies form Frontiers, and i think Lyman discontinued them, i could find them on there website. i've contacted Dillon prior to that and they've told me that they don't make these ('anymore' i guess). And RCBS ones were 100 backs more, and could of not get them form anywhere except the states.