Dies For .327 Federal

[alamogunr]

I've got a Single Seven ordered, should be here Monday. Trying to acquire dies to reload. Fermin Garza said he used Dillon dies. I don't want to get another Dillon setup, at least not now. It looks like I have to use .32 H&R dies. I noticed that Redding has die sets with steel sizers for considerably less than carbide. Since I've managed to get steel size dies for my tight customs, I thought steel for the .327 would be OK too.

I would appreciate any comments on steel vs. carbide.

[taffin]

Jun 2, 2018 9:25:49 GMT -5 alamogunr said:

I've got a Single Seven ordered, should be here Monday. Trying to acquire dies to reload. Fermin Garza said he used Dillon dies. I don't want to get another Dillon setup, at least not now. It looks like I have to use .32 H&R dies. I noticed that Redding has die sets with steel sizers for considerably less than carbide. Since I've managed to get steel size dies for my tight customs, I thought steel for the .327 would be OK too.

I would appreciate any comments on steel vs. carbide.

WITH TODAY'S SPRAY LUBES STEEL WORKS FINE. I USE .32 MAG DIES; NO PROBLEM

[smirker]

I use Redding Carbide .32 Mag. dies in a Dillion toolhead, No Problems.

[dougader]

I inadvertently ordered steel 44 Spl dies, and nearly stuck a case before I realized my mistake. A light spray with the Hornady One Shot case lube made quick work of the job and fixed my "mistake" on the spot.

I still pay the extra for carbide dies, but started using the One Shot spray lube on all my cases larger than 9mm just because it makes the sizing process go so smoothly. Big, fat 480 Ruger cases got me started with the practice.

[mhblaw]

From Sweden on vacation, Hornaday makes carbide dies for the .327.

[Encore64]

I use Lee Carbide dies for the 32 Mag/Long. Still lube the cases with Imperial sizing wax.

I like the powder thru die to cut a step off the process.

[wheelguns]

I use RCBS .32 cowboy dies. I also use a redding profile crimp die, and a lee powder thru die. The cowboy dies came with 2 expander plugs. They are the same diameter, but one is a little longer, for use with wadcutters. I use the redding die because I like to seat and crimp separately. I measure my powder with a RCBS chargemaster. The lee powder thru die is adjusted so it doesn’t expand. It is just a convenient place for a funnel to charge the cases. I do all this on a 6 station RCBS turret press. I do all calibers the same way.

[jsh]

Steel vs Carbide
Used carbide for the longest time. Actually it was all I used, as far as pistol goes. Why? Because that is what the masses and folks around me said to use.
Carbide, I find them easy to use, no muss no fuss. They will make ammo that fits everything. Generic so to speak.
In some what defense of carbide, the early RCBS dies tend to size in a more normal manner, closer to steel. And not over size/work brass.

Steel, never owned any until I came here some years back I search of the elusive 375 maximum. I was directed or herded towards the 41 magnum as a substitute. I got on the wagon fairly quick, but had zero dies. Bought a 41SW from a gent and he threw in a set of dies, steel RCBS. Gathered a set of carbide later on but the steel set for some reason makes more accurate ammo.

After that finding I then went on and picked up close to a dozen sets of various 357 dies, can be had cheap to boot. I did a fair bit of testing and finally got a set put together for my FA 353. An already good shooting rig, and made it better. Seems to have gotten rid of flyers and shrank groups.

I have since chased steel dies around for all my wheel guns.

I won't say all carbide dies size to a minimum size. It does seem they size more than necessary to me.
I don't load generic loads. Meaning a coffee can full of ammo for various guns. They may fit various but are taylored to each intended subject.

[alamogunr]

jsh, Your post sort of reminds me of the advice I got when I asked about a solution to the problem of reloaded .45 Colt cartridges not fully seating in a Clement six shot custom. Several recommended a steel size die. I found a used one and it sizes perfectly for that gun. Also works for a 5 shot.

I have since chased down steel size dies or sets w/steel sizers for .357, and .44. I also have a steel size die for .475L. I think I will order the Redding set w/steel size die tomorrow.

[alamogunr]

Well, I picked up the Single Seven yesterday. As soon as I got it home, I checked the throats. Six of the throats accepted the .315" pin gage. All were very tight. The seventh would almost let the .315 in but not quite. A .314 went in easily.

Next I slugged the barrel. I could feel a slight tightness at the point the barrel threaded into the frame. The slug miked at .3134. I think that down the road I might fire lap that constriction out.

Right now I am more concerned with with what size any molds I get might drop bullets. If they drop smaller than .315, I'm going to have to play with alloys. I've never had to do that before. I haven't got a mold yet so I may be anticipating a problem where there is none. Any wisdom on any of this will be welcome.

Aside from loose stocks(screw) everything seems OK.