Adjusting Rifle Pacesetter Dies on Reloading Press

RIFLE
 

The first die has a small pin that protrudes from the bottom. It sizes the full case as you push the case into the die. At the top of the stroke it also pushes out the spent primer. As you pull the case out of the die, the pin in the center expands the case neck to a size; smaller than the bullet diameter. Be sure to use LEE Resizing Lubricant during this operation to avoid problems.

Setting the die:

1. Screw the die into the press until it hits the raised shell holder.
2. Lower the ram. Screw in the die an additional 1/4 turn. Tighten the lock ring finger tight.
3. Install a case into the shell holder and raise it into the die until the shell holder touches the die body.

Decapper pin pushed back:

This is a safety measure to prevent the pin from being broken if there was something blocking the flash hole or if a Berdan primed case got into the mix.

It now needs to be reset. Loosen the decapper clamp. This requires a half-inch box wrench on the clamp nut, and a three-quarters open end wrench on the die body.Loosen the decapper clamp until the decapper pin is free to move. The pin and clamp should now be cleaned, and left dry. The end of the decapper pin is to be flush with the top of the decapper pin clamp. The trick is to hold the pin up flush to the top and at the same time tighten the clamp. Once you have the pin aligned flush tighten the clamp in the die using both wrenches. Now tighten it again.

It needs to be TIGHT. The pin may move back a short distance with the first case you decap.It should stay in that position now. You know it is tight enough when that primer pops out and the pin did not move.

The case now needs to have a primer inserted.

Next powder is added.

Using the Rifle Charging Die and the Auto Disk Powder Measure

Put an empty case in the shell holder and raise the ram. Screw the die into the press just enough to fully move the disk to the dump position.

Now we proceed to the Bullet Seating and Crimping Die (included with PaceSetter die sets)

A bullet is placed on top of the cartridge case and the ram is raised to seat the bullet. The die is adjusted in the press frame to achieve the crimp desired. Bullet depth is adjusted by turning in the adjusting knob on top of the die. Both operations are preformed simultaneously so it may take a couple of tries to get things where you want.

Setting the die:

1. Put a resized case in the shell holder.
2. Screw the die into the press until you feel it touch the case mouth.
3. Lower the ram. Back the die out half turn if no crimp is desired. Screw in the die an additional quarter turn if a crimp is desired. Tighten the lock ring finger tight. Bullet depth is adjusted by turning in the adjusting knob on top of the die.

Dead Length Bullet seating Die (included with Collet Die Set) Does not crimp the case. It only positions the bullet.

Overall length is controlled by the adjusting screw.

Setting the die:

1. Screw the die into the press until it hits the raised shell holder.
2. Lower the ram.Screw in the die an additional quarter turn. Tighten the lock ring finger tight.Turn the adjusting screw to achieve the desired length.

The 3^rd die is the Factory Crimp Die

This is a final crimp to assure the bullet cannot be pushed back into the case. It also duplicates the effect of seating the bullet out to nearly touch the rifling. The initial resistance to overcome the crimp is nearly the same as that which is required to start a bullet seated out close to the rifling. This die has no provision for seating the bullet. This die only affects the last .040 of the case mouth.

Setting the die:

1. Screw the die into the press until it hits the raised shell holder.
2. Lower the ram. Screw in the die an additional half to 1 full turn. Tighten the lock ring finger tight.