Making a Primer Seating Die???

[ulav8r]

I have a 38 Spec. partial die set. Need primer seating die, bullet seating die, and a de-capping pin. Am considering making the dies and have a question about the primer seater die. Does the top end of the die have to extend above the rim so far? Would it work if it only extended 1/4-3/8 inch?

Dummy me, forgot to specify that these are 310 dies. The priming dies I see in pictures online seem to be about 1/2 inch long above the rim cut.

[William Yanda]

Why should it need to be any deeper than a pistol primer? It's not like the primer needs a running start.

[tryNto]

No die needed to seat Primer, it seats with the Shell Holder on my RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme.
If doing a bunch of loads I use the RCBS hand priming tool.


May be you are wanting info about the sizing die?


PS
May be you are talking about 310 Dies?

[ulav8r]

See edit to op. I forgot to specify that these are 310 dies.

[Garyshome]

What the heck is a primer seating die? Now that's a new one on me. I am sure that I don't want one.


Good PR work is under rated and over looked.
I just trained my wife right. She thinks it is SUPPOSED to look like that!

[.22-10-45]

It's probably longer just for case support..sort of like a trough the case lies in. Just curious..how are you machining these..turning on lathe & milling?

[ulav8r]

lathe, hacksaw and file.

[Pavogrande]

It needs to be longer to clear the handle adapter which is about 3/8" thick. perhaps not as long as factory but more than just primer depth.
Hope your lathe will cut 30tpi --
I spend a lot of time saving $10 but this project is a bit of work --
Well, perhaps not if you have the right cutters --

Oops, silly old me I misread and got the wrong end -- often a fatal error.
I think a bit shorter would be ok but the length does help align the case in the holder.

[nitro-express]

Lyman sells parts for their die sets, and 38/357 is still a current production 310 die set, I'd give them a call.

The PC or priming chamber is probably the most difficult die to make. You seem to be missing 1/2 the set. Lyman 310 die sets came in different flavors. Earlier sets came with either a small or large decapping die, later sets used a CMR die that Combined the decapping with the MR die. You could use a small decappping die from any set. If all you are missing is the pin itself, Lyman sells a pack of them for a few dollars.

A picture of what you have would go a long way in soliciting helpful advice, applicable solutions.

Nitro

[MT Chambers]

The priming die in the 310 sets is the best there is, my preferred method of priming, good feel, lots of power, if making one, just copy the 310 one.

[nitro-express]

The priming die in the 310 sets is the best there is, my preferred method of priming, good feel, lots of power, if making one, just copy the 310 one.

I agree.

And if you look at the various "Ram Prime" tools (RCBS, LEE or Lyman) for priming on a 7/8-14 press, they are just scaled up versions of the 310 priming chamber. I use the 310 priming chamber with my Tru-Line Jr, with a spacer mounted on top of the shell holder to push on the priming punch.

[MT Chambers]

My 310 priming die is used on the 310 handles, lotsa feel!!