Topic: Use of compression dies

Retrieved: 12/12/2014
Last Post: 08/11/2006

I think I am going to go ahead and start ordering what I need to load black powder cartridges for main match shooting. I was wondering if a compression die was worth the money, $40 for the die body, $10 for the stem. I have heard other just let the seating of the bullet do the compression. What would be best for someone who is new to black powder reloading?

Jayne Cobb
August 10, 2006

Unless you are planning to do a lot of long range prescision shooting with your main match guns I wouldn't bother with it. Seating the bullet to compress the powder will give you ammo that is more than accurate enough for normal CAS needs. Save that extra step for when you get into BPCR stuff. Then it will serve you well.

Ranch 13
August 10, 2006

I've not seen the need for a compression die yet. Even if trying to put a full 70 grs of into a 45-70 case you can charge the case put in the wad, and then using the flaring die to compress the powder.

Pigeonroost Slim
August 10, 2006

For main match shooting, you need no compresson die. Some gun powders, Swiss for example, don't really "like" much compression. Just select enough bulk of powder to get a modest compression and you are there. Tell us what boolit and caliber you load and we can help ya stay on track with your purchases.

Macon McLeod Osmoke
August 10, 2006

My caliber is a 44mag. I haven't decided on a bullet manufacture yet. I will buy them, don't have the time to mold my own. I was thinking of getting the Lee Pistol dies because all my other reloading dies, presses, and everything else are Lee.

Driftwood Johnson
August 10, 2006

Quote I've not seen the need for a compression die yet. Even if trying to put a full 70 grs of into a 45-70 case you can charge the case put in the wad, and then using the flaring die to compress the powder. While this is true, it is nice to have a separate piece of hardware to compress the powder, than what you use to flare the neck. That way, you can keep the settings on each, without having to continually readjust. I have a 'compression die insert' that I bought from Buffalo arms for when I load 45-70. I use it in the die body of the flaring die. After I have flared my cases and primed them, and charged them with powder, I remove the flaring plug from the die and screw in the powder compression part. Each is set with a split ring collar so they each keep their setting. Makes for no adjustment and I am able to flare and compress very quickly.

But for ordinary CAS 45 Colt and 44-40 loads, I just compress the powder with the bullet, no compression die, no drop tube.

Ranch 13
August 10, 2006

I very seldom use anything to compress the powder charge. I was shooting black in cartridges a good long time before they made that movie starring the Shiloh rifle with that Magnum PI guy dragging it around. What we learned from the oldguys of the day was that the powder only needed to be in firm contact with the bullet, some even scooped the cases thru a cupfull of powder scraped it off level and seated the bullet.

I don't have any problem making good hits to 1000 yds , and don't now own or have any intentions of owning a compression die.I also refuse to buy and or shoot swiss powder, make mine Goex thanky bery much.

Delmonico
August 10, 2006

I use Goex CTG in my Pedersoli Sharps and I compress with a die, why, because my rifle shoots better that way. I don't even know if anyone made such a thing when I started doing this in late 95, I made mine out of a 38 Special case, the mouth belling die out of a junk 38 die set and some silver solder. I compress so much that it was distorting the bullets even with a custom fitted seating stem. The more I crammed, the better it shot. Nitro or Black, every rifle is different and load testing will let it tell you what it likes.

Pigeonroost Slim
August 11, 2006

I don't load for 44 mag, but I bet some pards here do. What say, folks! Got any boolit suggestions and die secrets fer this here Pilgrim?

Ranch 13
August 11, 2006

For the 44 mag I don't load any cast bullets sized under .430. Bullet size is probably more important to good blackpowder groups than the amount of compression. Also avoid bevel base bullets , and any that are cast from alloy harder than 20-1.

Might take a look at www.cheycast.com, they specialize in CAS bullets , and bp bullets. I have shot some of their stuff in 45-70 and got along fine .

John Boy
August 11, 2006

Quote
I was wondering if a compression die was worth the money, $40 for the die body, $10 for the stem.

Macon, if you 'must' want to compress the powder BUT is not necessary for CAS Buffalo Arms has a plug that does the job... much cheaper!

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,3310.htm

Just seating the bullet will do enough compression for any black powder that you will use. If you are going to shoot Long Range, yes specific compression is required and that is a WHOLE DIFFERENT Discussion

Probably more important is the lube that will be used. Make sure that the bullets you buy have BP lube on them and not the lube for smokeless. Otherwise, you will run into lube starvation and the barrel will lead up, plus your revolver base pin will be binding.

Springfield Slim
August 11, 2006

I also just use the bullet for compressing the powder. I adjust it so I am just barely compressing the powder, using GOEX and Big Lube(tm) bullets in 44- 40. Too much compression just distorts the bullet and sometimes the case, and it won't chamber properly.