Topic: Powder compression die

Retrieved: 01/08/2015
Last Post: 06/06/2013

I am near a range that only max's out at 200 yards and using my handloads with Swiss 1 1/2 fg, my cast 457125 bullets made from 20-1 lead/tin, Rem cases, Walters .030 wads, Federal 210 primers, and SPG lube. My Sharps is a Pedersoli Quigley model.

My question is, I am getting 2- 3 inch groups at 200 yards, and have been using a Shiloh 30 inch drop tube to put powder in the case, then inserting and compressing the wad with a dowel, scribed to a depth that leaves about 1/16th for the bullet to squish it the rest of the way down.

Do you think a powder compression die would be a worthwile investment, do they help keep the wad square and make a difference in accuracy at longer range?

tombstone71
Jun 02, 2013

A powder compression die is a good thing. I did the same as you for a long time but when I got one my groups got a lot better. To get the OAL and compression I wanted I started to get bulged bullets and chambering problems.

I have 4 or 5 of them now and love them and yes they will seat your wads flat. Got all mine from BACO.

Ranch 13
Jun 03, 2013

I'd suggest that what ever you use for compression die, that you set it to just let the bullet set firmly on the wad. That way you don't take a chance on squishing the ogive out on the bullet, or misshaping the nose of the bullet in any form.

DRCook
Jun 03, 2013

CH4D also has die bodies and compression plugs. I use CH4D's with good results.

Sharpsman 45-70
Jun 03, 2013

Hey thank you guys for the info! I didn't know you could now get them for less than 20 bucks from CH4D, that's great !

gunlaker
Jun 03, 2013

Buffalo Arms is also a good source for them. I've got a number of sized compression plugs from them to fit my RCBS expander die bodies.

zrifleman
Jun 04, 2013

BP compression die is a good thing. It doesn't take much pressure on a bullet to bulge the nose and ruin accuracy. It also give more versatility with seating different bullets.

Ray Newman
Jun 05, 2013

I tried the Buffalo Arms Powder Compression and similar dies for my various calibres and found them to be difficult to adjust.

So I next tried my 45-70 + Vickerman Inline Micrometer (bullet) seating with the add-on powder compress stem to compress the powder and wad.

Voila! It works and works well. Easier to set up and adjust via the micrometer adjusting head.

With the extended shell holder, I can utilize it to compress the powder and wad for my .45-2.1", .45-2.4", and .45-2 7/8" cases.

Heed what Ranch13 and Zrifleman posted.

Read all about it:

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=159572&CAT=4033

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=159576&MANF=960

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DRCook
Jun 06, 2013

So I next tried my 45-70 + Vickerman Inline Micrometer (bullet) seating with the add-on powder compress stem to compress the powder and wad.

Ray, as a poor man's setup, I use a magnetic base from Harbor Freight and a 0- 1" travel dial indicator from them. Since I have a Redding T7, I can put the mag base on an empty spot, put the dial indicator stem on top the compression plug, and screw it down the exact amount needed.

This lets me do all the different calibers that I load for with one tool.

montana_charlie
Jun 06, 2013

Here is another poor man's setup ... one which lets the stop collar on powder compression plug remain locked in position at all times.

1.) Buy two sets of shims. One is a selection of 7/8" ID shims in .030", .060", and .125" sizes. Two of each should be sufficient.

The other set runs from .001" to .125" and includes 'a lot of' shims (maybe two dozen). Buy the 'set' and you will have all of them.

2.) Install the die in the press and adjust the stop collar to compress powder for the load that requires the deepsest point.

3.) Place shims under the die locknut ... or the plug stop collar ... which combine to provide any other depths you commonly use.

Make a note of which shims are installed, and which ones to remove as you set up for different charges.

My most used 'shim change' is this ...

With all shims in place, compression is right for my paper patched target load which includes only the powder, wad, and bullet.

By removing one .125" shim from under the die locknut, and a .003" shim from under the stop collar, compression depth is increased by an amount equal to a 1/8th-inch grease cookie placed on the over-powder-wad, and a waxpaper wad between the cookie and the bullet.

Dave Roelle
Jun 06, 2013

Here is a link to the shim source i use

http://www.mscdirect.com/browse/?navid=12102174+4288104963