Buying 310 tools

[KCSO]

I have picked up quite a lot of 310 stuff over the years and lately I have found that it is hard to find complete anythings. Most of the people selling 310 stufff today consider it ANTIQUE and have no idea what goes with what or how to describe their product. I recently bought what was suppose to be a complete set of 310 dies for 44 magnum. When they arrived I found that the COMPLETE set consisted ot a sizer die for 44 special, a 44 bullet sizer without the push rod, a DA seater/crimper and a case mouth flarer and in the bottom of the box 5 replacment pins for the decapper that wasn't there. The primer seater and the decapper that I wanted were nowhere to be found and was unable to tell what was there from the pictures in the advertisment. Luckily I got the bid cheap so I am not out anyting but if this was an important buy I would have asked for the nuumbers on all the dies before I placed a final bid.

If you get into 310 stuff be sure and get a copy of the parts list and die charts as you WILL need them. Also be prepared to part with a LOT more money that waas the cae even 5 years ago. Not that long ago around here 310 stuff was considered obselete and I could buy a box of assorted stuff for $5 now most folks are wanty 25-35 just for a set of aluminum handles. The other thing I have noticed lately is that most folks don't know there is a difference between die sets for the 310 and the Tru Line. The Tru Line dies expand the case mouth as the case is pulled from the die and they DO NOT work with the 310 tool.

That is unless you want a case hanging in the die and no way to pull it off.

[Bent Ramrod]

KCSO,

At the gun shows and gun store remainder tables I frequent, there generally isn't even an attempt to get the things into sets. Generally, it's just a pile of miscellaneous dies, rings, adapters, shell holders and internal parts. I out with my well-thumbed, folded to cracking Xerox of the Lyman Die Chart and start turning dies over and squinting at numbers.

There are only two categories of handles. Either they are at almost giveaway prices or they're ridiculously expensive. Even the former usually don't go very fast and the latter are features of show after show, at the same price, with no bites. The collector of 310 stuff will see now as the "good old days." My upper limit on handles is $15, and that for those purple or nickeled jobs.

I have bags of "nearly there" 310 and DA die sets and a growing pile of extras. My primary searches are for the chambers, innards and powder scoops for the old Ideal nickeled tools, but I've expanded to the 310 and DA dies as I have handles and a Tru-Line Jr as well.

The only number I have completely memorized is "123," which means that I don't have to get any more .30-06 dies, but I do need that sheet for the rest of them, and even it is incomplete. Anybody know what a single-adjustable chamber marked "65" is for?

Maybe there ought to be a Sticky called "The Orphanage" or something where people could exchange their odd dies and complete the sets they want. I have two 310 bullet seaters in .257 Roberts, and a "DA" bullet seater each in .243 and .257 Roberts. Would love to get the "DA" or 310 sizer, decapper and expander in .44-40.

[KCSO]

I have a full die set for 44-40 but I also have a 44-40 revolver to match. I have a large list of 310 extra's too. I'll make up the list and post iit here Monday.

[ktw]

My spares bin contains
- J Shellholder #10 (32/20)
- J Shellholder #19 (30 Carbine, x2)
- J Shellholder #13 (300 H&H)
- 257 Roberts 4 die set (no priming chamber)
- 257 Roberts 2 die TrulelineJr set
- 225 expander die
- 22 H-P DA die
I also have quite a few seater stems in various nose profiles for the DA dies.
I could be talked out of one of my Trueline JR presses.

I could use more of the 310 to 7/8x14 adapters. Would be interested in 38-55 or 44 spcl/mag die sets

-ktw

[jhrosier]

Randy Davis has a pile of 310 stuff. When I last bought parts from him the prices were good.

Check it out at: http://www.cnyauctions.com/the310shop.htm

I'm just a satisfied customer.

Jack

[Yance]

If any of you happen to turn up a .45-90 DA seater I'd be interested. Have a friend looking for one since the .45-70 version only catches about 2 threads.

[floodgate]

Bent Ramrod:

Randy Davis' master list shows Ideal code #65 as for the common, everyday .40-70 Remington Bottle-Neck.

I've got a couple of cigar boxes of loose 310 / T-L Jr. dies and parts; we ought to set up a "swap meet" for our extras. I've somehow also come by several spare sets and loose dies for the old Tru-Line SENIOR - totally different from anything else, except that some of them will fit the even older "Armory" presses.

Floodgate

[mtnman31]

My grandfather gave me a 310 handle and 30-06 dies a few years back. I have since purchased a few more die sets for calibers that I shoot. Since I don't consider myself a "collector", I pretty much stick to the sets that I can use.

I have a accumulated a few "sets" as well. I think only two sets are fully complete. A couple are missing the bushing that threads into the handle to accept different families of cases. I have a bag of spares and doubles that contains almost as many dies as I have in my complete sets. Gets frustrating at times. I am all for swapping and trading my extras to get what I can use.

I agree, the prices have gone up considerably. As much as I'd like a 45-70 set, I am not willing to pay 45-70 bucks for one! About a year ago I scored good on fleabay. I got a Tru-line junior for around 35 bucks and it included four sets of dies, three of which are for calibers that I shoot. The press is in very nice shape but was modified for some reason. I attached a photo of the press because I have no idea what the purpose is/was for the modification. - note the swinging home-made angle iron thingy dangling off the linkage. It swings freely and doesn't interfere with operation of the press. I was thinking maybe a knocker used when a Lyman 55 powder throw is mounted to the press??? Any ideas?

8049

[HeavyMetal]

I'm gonna take one wild shot at what this modifaction might be for!

I'm looking at the enlarged photo and see that the bolt goes through the press and is longer than stock by some degree with Jam nuts.

If you remove the handle and swing that up by where the primer ram is could you tighten the jam nuts and have it stay in place? If so I suspect this was set up to hold some type of primer catch tray for the old primers!

It would serve no other purpose if it's loose and it's to far away from the bench to be a support of any kind.

Curious what you might think about that idea.

[KCSO]

Looks like where a weight was attached to bring the lever back up.

[Slowpoke]

I have a 44 sp die set that I have never used, it consist's of a size die that is marked 44 SP FL, a # 150 seat die with a 421 plug,expander die with a 429 plug, # 7 priming chamber, and a # 5 shell adapter.

I also have a rifle size expand die with a 263 plug, this die needs the large lock ring.

and a

243 cmr die, it needs the small lock ring for the decapper rod

243 win DA seat die with a 450 stem.

I am looking for 310 dies in 22 H , 32-20, .358 win.

good luck

[Bent Ramrod]

Doug,

Thanks for the info on the #65. It definitely is a bottleneck. I'll look for Randy's list as the lists I am familiar with are from Ideal Handbooks in the mid-50's, when a lot of the older stuff was no longer available.

It would definitely be worthwhile to swap some of this extra stuff around, if enough people have the need for the extras. I have an extra 7/8" x 14 adaptor, and could use one of those generic depriming dies for my .270 set. I'll have to look through my miscellaneous pile and see what else turns up.

[trooperdan]

I also have a bunch of 310 and Tru-line jr stuff and I think a "Swap Corner" for these items would be a great idea!

[scrapcan]

Bent Ramrod,

I may have a decapping die that would be marked 123 but I think it will deprime the 270 as it is the "universal" decap stem. Let me know if you want me to look through the box of stuff.

All,

I would also be up for a swap section if there is a way to set something up. I also have the 310 outpost webpage files that were went to me by a fellow member here. If you do a search here you should see some other info on the 310/truline jr.

I am looking for a tru line set for 32 S&W or 32 S&W long and 6.5x55

[Bent Ramrod]

Manleyjt,

Thanks for the offer. I don't know if you need any of the extra stuff I mentioned; if so, maybe we can arrange a trade.

I've never seen any 310 dies for the three calibers you mentioned. It seems like one out of four dies found is for a .30-06 and one is for .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Everything else is in the remaining 50%. Small pistol calibers and black powder calibers seem to be the least common. Or else everybody's holding on to them.

[scrapcan]

Bent Ramrod,

I will take a look and see if I have a decapper that will work for you. It may take a me a day or so so be patient. I have to put it on the todo list.

[TAWILDCATT]

the truline came out after ww2 and the 30/06 would be used as a neck resizer.
lyman will send you a copy of the dies taken from the the ideal hand book.I know as I am looking at the sheets now.:coffee:[smilie=1:

[fgd135]

I got really lucky and bought a complete, yes complete, 310 tool set for the 7.62 Russian a few years ago at a show. It's complete with the older steel handle--paid $50, all in new condition, in the box.
I now use it frequently, esp. the decapper and the priming dies.
Also found the Lyman 7.62 Russian full length resizing die that was an accesory for the 310 tool, designed to be used like the Lee Loader--in other words, with a hammer and knock out pin. Unlike the LL, it full length sizes the case.
I've found other 310 sets at local shows, you just have to keep looking, and like you said, it helps to have a 310 chart with you to confirm the set details.

[SpaceGlocker]

I have a 44 mag/44special set with all the boxes...it includes the seating die, the expanding die, and the decapping/resizing die (the decapping pin is broken just above the threads)
big box says less primer punch and shell holder, also says for tru-line jr press....it does appear to have a larger bushing adapter of some sort....I'd like to sell this....any offers?

[stillhunter]

There is a guy on EBay hawking a copy of the 310 tool catalog with the die number chart in it. Search on Lyman Die. Haven't used mine much since I went over to the SparT in the early 60s. A true line will bo fine work on neck sized cases with cast.

[floodgate]

stillhunter:

Not a "guy" but a very nice lady, Abby Mouat, at <www.cornellpubs.com>. She has reprints of ALL the Ideal and Lyman Handbooks up through WW II, from originals that several of us have loaned her; lots of other great stuff, too.

Floodgate

[Green Frog]

For the guys looking for 6.5x55, .22 Hornet, and .243, I believe I can help you out. I have a bunch of spares over in my dad's basement and will try to check on them tomorrow or Monday. In the meanwhile, send me a PM if you are still interested.

Charlie Shaeff
the Green Frog

PS There has been a resurgence of interest in these tools and dies over on the ASSRA board as well. I don't know what kicked this one off(?)

[Bret4207]

Mr Green Frog!!! Nice to see ya here Charlie! I'm a long time fan of your scribblings.

[Catshooter]

Welcome to the board Green Frog.

Can you tell me what ASSRA stands for please? Link?


Cat

[Slowpoke]

Not green frog but --http://www.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl

[Catshooter]

Thanks Slowpoke.


Cat

[Green Frog]

He beat me to it! The competition rules for the American Single Shot Rifle Association specify "plain base lead bullets only." A lot of "cast boolits" get shot at their events!

My interest in T-L Jrs and 310 tools predates my affiliation with that group, but it has grown in the interim.

Froggie

[matrics631]

I have a few 310 sets. Not sure if they are what you all might be looking.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302603_558757200457_152600384_31370184_2400772_n.j pg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310908_558757250357_152600384_31370187_6196672_n.j pg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313177_558757335187_152600384_31370193_4756604_n.j pg

[Mike Kerr]

Interesting Site (ASSRA). Thanks for posting that link.

regards,

:-):-)

[Ramslammer]

G'Day
How much for the 25/20 and the 45/70 sets??
Juddy