Another stupid reloading question....... about dies

[spy231]

I just picked up a set of RCBS .270 dies to go along with my RCBS kit that is in the mail headed my way. My set came with 2 dies. I see some sets come with 3. What is the 3rd one for?

[Hairtrigger]

Normally 2 die sets are for bottle neck cartridges and 3 die sets are for straight wall. You will find some 3 die sets for bottle necks with one full length sizer and one for neck sizing

[spy231]

I wish I had somebody close to help me learn how to reload, but it looks like I am going to have to rely on you guys (that is not a bad thing)
I went into the local gun store and told him I ordered a kit online and I needed everything else that went along with it and somebody to teach me how to reload and he told me since I ordered the kit online to order everything else online and to get out of his store and never come back. The same kit at his store was $100 more than I paid for the kit and shipping online.

[quickdtoo]

The Lee 3-die set comes with a crimp die in addition to the full length sizer and a seater die. The Redding 3-die set has the full length sizer and seater, plus a neck sizing die, RCBS doesn't make a 3-die set for the .270, but you can get a neck sizer die separately.

Tim

[spy231]

Quick,
Another stupid question........do I need one?

[quickdtoo]

You can't ask any stupid questions, but you could fail to ask and do something stupid! 

Since you don't have a mentor to help out, your best option is to ask lots of questions, but getting into a manual or two will go a long ways toward answering a lot of those questions too, getting the manuals would be a number one priority.

Tim

[NE Hunter]

Quick is right on ( as usual )   read the section on how to reload in  the manual .... this is were I started out before I bought a single tool; on the advice of the shop owner.  Sorry to hear about the attitude of you local shop .... to bad he didn't see the forest through the trees as yo will be buying quite a few accessories in the future ... non from him now.

You probably won't need a neck sizing die but, I find them to be a time saver as they work the brass less and in turn saves me trimming cases as often ( saving a step and time) I have the Lee collet die and it doesn't require lube again saving that step and time.

The brass has to be fired in you chamber for neck sizing though and they aren't recommended for pump or semi autos just bolt actions or single shot

good luck and ask away we've all started somewhere

[burntmuch]

I dont know what manual you have, but the modern reloading by Lee helped me alot. It exsplains everything step by step. It will seem overwelming to begin with.  Just follow the directions to the letter. Double check your load data & bullet weight. Sart with safe reloading , Then go to the range. Your first loads may not be the most accurate, but when your gun doesnt blow up in your face, your confidence will grow. Then you can start working on loads for accuracy. 

[coyotejoe]

Interesting that you should mention the Lee book Burntmuch. I have half a dozen manuals plus all the free pamphlets from the powder makers and the Lee manual is one I hardly ever open. The data is just a re-print of data from other sources and they don't tell what firearm or pressure barrel was used. In many cases you can't even tell if the data was from a rifle or a handgun. Pretty useless to me.

[burntmuch]

For myself , a brand new reloader, it was very helpful  easy to read. Now Im using the lyman 48th & presently looking for a 3rd manual

[quickdtoo]

The Lee was my first manual with the Anniversary kit, also bought the Lyman 48th, the Lyman 48th would be my recommendation if you want to start with just one manual. If you have a specific brand of bullets in mind to load, I'd get their manual as an addition to your reloading library, although the Lyman has data for several bullet makers in addition to their cast bullets.

Tim

[spy231]

Thanks guys! I just bought the Lyman 48th edition and the kit will come with the speer I think. Wow, there is a lot of good info in this Lyman book!

[Questor]

Spy231:

Don't get too hopeful about the velocities published in the Lyman book. They are not typically even close to what you can expect in actual firearms. The Speer book has more reliable velocity figures because they test with firearms not test barrels.

[spy231]

Questor,
Honestly I am not looking to reload to get top velocity. I want to do it b/c I think I will enjoy it and I want to be able to shoot better bullets cheaper and hopefully find some pet loads my rifles like. So velocity is not a great concern of mine.........yet.

[SHOOTALL]

the profile or taper crimp die , i like mine for revolvers , 30/30 , 308 , 223 in auto , 356 win and a few others that have bullets with cannulers ( sp ) , it holds the bullet in place better , and i get better groups .  The roll crimp that is standard with most dies work but not as well as the specialty die ! If you use one make sure all cases are trimmed to the same length !
if you are new to reloading , never assume anything , never take advice  that you can't find in a manual from anyone until you are confident in that source 100% and ask alot of if nothing else we can tell you where to look !
the people on this or any other site are great folks but every once in a while you will run into someone with bad advice !
check out every bit of data offered ! and enjoy as we do !

[beemanbeme]

I know it's hard but don't get in a hurry.  Wait until you get your kit.  Unwrap it and lay the stuff out.  Read your book(s) and identify the stuff.  Then read the books again.  Then start setting up your reloading room or space or work area.  That's a whole subject in itself.  Where are you gonna be doing your reloading?  
You will get a tremendous amount of info from cyberspace.  And I wisht I had enough money to buy all the stuff folks will suggest that you must have.  But, especially to start out, remember the KISS principle. About a gazillion rounds of good ammo have been loaded using a Lee Loader which consist of a case resizer, a plastic mallet, a bullet seater, and a powder dipper.  Remember that's all you really need.  Everything else is a whistle or bell.

(if you're a vindictive prixxck like me, once you're set up, keep track of the stuff you order and buy, then call up your gun shop buddy and tell him "I've bought $xxxx worth of stuff SINCE I got my kit. I've have bought it from you except you were a jerk".

[SHOOTALL]

now that wasn't nice !
was it necessary ?