Lee turret press rifle loading question

Alfonso

Alfonso

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I've been loading pistol ammo for years but just started loading rifle ammo. I bought the die set for 7.7 Jap but I have noticed that there is no powder die for my Lee powder disk? Do you have to buy a die just for that and where would I find such a thing? I understand that the powder measure die does not expand the neck. The kit did come with a powder measure but I've never done that by hand. Thanks for your suggestions and help.

Alfonso
 
My friend, you have wandered into a different world. To sort out some of the differences:
1, Most people reloading for rifles don't use the powder disks. (I may be wrong but no one I know personally does anyway)
2. I no longer use the dippers that come with the die set, I have had too many inconsistent charges so I use a scale to work up powder charges with a measure, then I throw all my charges.
3. YOU DO NOT NEED TO EXPAND THE CASE MOUTHS TO SEAT A BULLET. Simply resizing the case will set the neck to provide enough tension to hold the bullet. I then crimp my rounds (lots of people don't, but I like to).

Enjoy your rounds. I have been doing this for many years now and I love it. It is one of the most relaxing hobbies I have and goes right into the other...shooting.
 
I do have a scale. So would I use the dipper then and weigh each shell one by one? I have a regular funnel is that all I need then?

Thanks
 
You will want the Lee Perfect Powder Measure 90058 and the Universal Charging Die 90273 if the cases are any bigger than .223. The disks will not throw enough, and you might want to just get the Perfect anyways for smaller rifle cases. I used this set up on my Lee Loadmaster for .308.
 
I do all of my rifle loads on a scale, takes time but the benefit is a consistent charge.

I use the Lee dipper from the set that is closest below my load then trickle in the rest. Once you get the feel of the load you can get good at one scooping it.

Cactus
 
I pull the rod out of the centre of my turret press to deactivate the turning feature while I load rifle cartridges. After the cases are cleaned, deprimed, resized, trimmed and primed, I place them in a case holding tray and using a funnel pour a weight measured charge into each case. When I have filled all the cases I then seat bullets.

I typically use a powder scoop if I'm only doing a small number of loads, or a powder dispenser if I'm measuring a large number. I set the powder dump to drop the right charge and place it in the scale tray. I throw it on the scale and if its perfect I pour it into the case. If it's under I trickle some more in, if it's over, I pour it back into the powder dispenser. Often 9/10 will be right on from the powder dump.
 
Brass is now stuck in sizing die!~

Thanks for all your help. Now as I tried to resize the 7.7 Jap brass that was already shot by me, my first attempt ends in a disaster as the first brass is now stuck in the lee 7.7 Jap resizing die???????? I am trying like heck to pull it out. Even broke my work desk (I have a better one) trying to pull ram. Yes, I did lube the brass.........what the heck is going on??????????? WHat could be the problem? Should I buy a single Lee press and just use that instead of using my turret press???? I have seen many utube instructional videos and thought I had it all covered. Now this!
 
If you haven't ripped the rim off the case yet, you're not pulling hard enough. After you have ripped it off, remove the collet and pound the decapping rod with a hammer until the case pops free. Don't do this with any other brand than Lee, you will wreck the rod.
 
I think there is a video on the LEE website that shows you how to get the stuck brass out. Don't panic as it's not a big deal. Loading FMJ I just bought a Perfect Powder Measure. Anything I load for accuracy gets done with a scale.
 
Just a quick note on using the PPM, Universal charging die and turret: you will have to manually reset the PPM on every cycle, as the universal charging die wants you to use a chain, which is only possible with a progressive.

That all said, not a big deal. You still crank out rifle rounds at warp speed.

About the stuck brass: pull down until it rips the rim off, then loosen the collet and use a punch to knock the pin (and case out.)
 
Another bites the dust

Ok, So I totally did everything possible to yank that brass out. The good news is that it came out the bad news is that I broke the die, extractor pin, all in the garbage. I used every tool I could find. A huge lesson learned. I used the spray dillon lube for the brass. Is that bad? It almost felt as if the brass just wasn't meant to fit in that die.

Anyways, I've decided to buy a single press for rifle ammo from now on and use the turret press for pistol ammo. I will buy a single stage press and the Lee PPM. I already have the digital scale.

Now I have to buy another 3 die set for the 7.7 jap unless I can just find the sizing die which I doubt.

Alfonso
 
Alfonso said:
Ok, So I totally did everything possible to yank that brass out. The good news is that it came out the bad news is that I broke the die, extractor pin, all in the garbage. I used every tool I could find. A huge lesson learned. I used the spray dillon lube for the brass. Is that bad? It almost felt as if the brass just wasn't meant to fit in that die.

Anyways, I've decided to buy a single press for rifle ammo from now on and use the turret press for pistol ammo. I will buy a single stage press and the Lee PPM. I already have the digital scale.

Now I have to buy another 3 die set for the 7.7 jap unless I can just find the sizing die which I doubt.

Alfonso
Click to expand...

you CAN buy just the die directly from lee or lee factory sales- i think we've ALL had a case stuck in the die at one time or another- it CAN happen just as easily with a single stage, so DON'T HANDICAP YOURSELF BY GOING TO A SINGLE STAGE-info @leeprecision .com- with me it was an ivi stuck in a DILLON 550- 308- i was using a set of lee dies, and just had to hit the decapping pin with a hammer to knock it out- i should doubt if the die itself is damaged- PICTURES would help-lee also says that all products are warrantied for 2 years- take pictures, send to them, and it can't hurt, unless your time is valuable- they may take pity on a first timer
 
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