Are pistol cartridges easier to handload than rifle cartridges?

[briannmilewis]

Am I right to understand that pistol caliber reloading is usually a lot easier and/or less complicated than rifle caliber reloading?

I think I want to shoot and reload 357 Mag/Maximum, 44 Mag/445 Super Mag and 500 S&W Mag in Handi rilfes, and the simple straight-walled pistol cases seem to align with the Handi's simplicity.

What say you all?

[trotterlg]

They are harder to reload for.  It takes 3 dies and changing them to reload a pistol cartridge and two dies to do a rifle.  The issue comes from having to first use a die to resize, then to size the neck and then to seat the bullet.  If you want a non roll crimp it is another step.  In a bottle neck case you can resize and size the neck using one die, then seat the bullet with one for a total of two steps.  Larry

[Dezynco]

6 one way, half dozen the other.  You can purchase carbide dies for straight-walled pistol cartridges that eliminate the need for that messy case lubricant when you resize the cases.  If you are using jacketed pistol bullets, there's no real need to expand the case mouth before seating the bullet, thus making pistol cartridges much easier to load (a two-step process)

If you choose to load cast lead bullets in your rifle cartridges, you'll need to flare the case mouth in order to get the cast lead bullet to start into the case correctly, making it a 3-step process - and you'll still need the case lube.  You cannot get carbide dies for bottle necked rifle cases.  If you neck size the cases with dies like Lee Collet-type dies, you won't need the case lube, but you would still need to flare the mouth for cast bullets.

Like I said, 6 one way, half dozen the other, but generally I find pistol cases easier to load - provided you use carbide dies.

[Lloyd Smale]

its probably a toss up. With rifle cases you dont need the expander die but have to use lube so it needs to be cleaned off and you need to trim brass which takes longer then swapping a die out.

[Scibaer]

there is a few more steps when reloading pistol cartridges.
but its easier to reload for pistol calibers in general, i find.

i think that you need to learn how to do both. you will gain a better understanding of reload/hand loading overall.

i think that "harder" is not the word, its about the process, pistol and rifle cartridge reloading both have their complications , and they both have their "benefits".

 

[mbopp]

I used to load everything on a single stage Rockchucker press.
I bought a used turret press from a member here and use that for my handgun loading now. I'd say loading handgun on the turret is faster. Using carbide dies and not having to lube and re-clean the cases is a big time saver over rifle reloading. My normal routine is to size and deprime, then rotate the turret and expand the case. Priming is done with a Lee hand tool off the press. I use a 50-case loading tray to charge and then start a bullet, then run them through the seater die. I'd like to pick up a set of .38 SPL dies so I won't have to unscrew the expander and seater dies to add or remove the spacer washer between .38 SPL and .357 Mag cases. You may want to consider that for 357 Mag / Max and 44 Mag / 445 SuperMag loading. And I'd like an extra turret for a .45 ACP setup.
But for rifle reloading I still use the Rockchucker. I like the idea of no springing in an "O" frame press.

[mattmillerrx]

I prefer loading pistol cal. And find it easier for the reasons mentioned.

[mdi]

Both have their advantages and problems, lube vs carbide, headspacing on sholder vs rim etc. Prolly easier to learn reloading a rimmed revolver cases; straight walled, no lube, no case length probs, and headspacing on the rim...

[huntducks]

In my case it's a lot easier to do pistol Dillon SDB vs Rifle on a RCBS RC, with pistol you don't have to trim cases ( I hate trimming cases)

If your using a single stage press and new brass the rifle will go faster the first several times after that it's a push by adding the whole trimming process.

[SHOOTALL]

I believe stright wall revolver cases are easier to load . OAL is not as critical. No shoulder to set back. No lube if carbide dies are used . Crimp is not as hard to get adjusted as when for auto rounds . Bullets most often have a crimp ring. Powder flows into case mouth better than smaller bottle neck cases , which are harder to see into and check .

[briannmilewis]

Thanks all. Really helpful info.

I have reloaded 700 rounds of 22 Hornet, so that is what I cut my teeth on.

If you use a RCBS X-Die for the bottleneck cases, trimming is eliminated after one initial trim.

Am I right in understanding that straight walled pistol cases don't grow in length over time, and this is because they do not have a shoulder?

I thought Lee Deluxe Rifle Die Sets are carbide because they don't require case lube?

[SHOOTALL]

Mine grow , and to get a good crimp you need to trim .
The carbide is but a ring at the mouth of the die in most sets .

[wncchester]

"Am I right to understand that pistol caliber reloading is usually a lot easier and/or less complicated than rifle caliber reloading?"

Since few of us consider either to be complicated that's difficult to honestly say.  It's a lot easier to blow your hand gun from together since it's easy for a sloppy reloader to double/tripple the common small charges of very fast powders.

I know of no die maker today who still makes non-carbide pistol sizers. 

Only Dillon sells carbide dies for bottle neck cartridges and then only in .223 and .308.  And they still require case lubing.

[Dezynco]

I thought Lee Deluxe Rifle Die Sets are carbide because they don't require case lube?

You're thinking about the Collet dies.  They do not require lube because they do not "drag" the case through the die to resize.  The Collet dies only size the neck, and it does that by "clamping" the neck of the case against a mandrel withing the die.  I've used them and they work really well, but only for single shot rifles.  Since they only size the neck, the body of the case is not sized which might make them jamb in a semi-auto or bolt action.

[Cheesehead]

NOTHING is easier then reloading 44 Magnum in a Dillon 550, by far.

Cheese

[Dezynco]

45 ACP's in my old Dillon 450 are easier!

[Cheesehead]

45 ACP's in my old Dillon 450 are easier!

Only if some one is doing it for you while you watch.   

Cheese

[helotaxi]

I've used them and they work really well, but only for single shot rifles.  Since they only size the neck, the body of the case is not sized which might make them jamb in a semi-auto or bolt action.

Neck sizing works best for bolt action rifle actually since the camming action and locking of the bolt lugs better resist the expansion caused by firing.  Most single shot break actions have enough action flex that the chamber grows during firing and allows the brass to stretch.  This requires the should to be set back periodically.  Depending on the particular bolt action rifle and the cartridge, the shoulder may occasionally have to be set back slightly as well.  Improved chamberings with their reduced body taper and sharper shoulder are less susceptible to excessive case growth and bras for them can last about forever in bolt guns.