CASES
The easiest and best way of getting cases is to simply save
those from your factory loaded rounds. New and used cases
can also be purchased. Cases must be clean and safe. Do not
use cases that have cracks or splits. If they have been used
more than twice, they should be checked to see that none of
them have become too long for safe use. The easiest way is
to trim them is with a Lee Case Trimmer. This automatically
cuts them to the correct length and no gauging or measuring
is needed. Afer trimming, be sure to chamfer both the inside
and outside of the case. A Lee Chamfer Tool works best, but
it can be done with a pocket knife.
Straight sided cases, such as those used by most hand-
guns, are loaded with a 3–die set.
MILITARY CASES
Used military cases are readily available at low cost. Usually,
these have primers that are crimped in place. This is to pre-
vent the primer from coming loose in automatic weapons and
jamming the action at an inopportune time. The crimp must
be removed before repriming. This can be done with a primer
pocket reamer or swaging tool. Even a Lee Chamfer Tool can
be used to ream the crimp.
POWDER
Powder is usually classified as smokeless and black powder.
There is also Pyrodex, which is a substitue for black powder.
We will be using only smokeless powder for reloading.
Each set of Lee Dies is supplied with powder mea-
sure and charge table with a generous selection of loads.
Additional load data is available from all the powder manu-
facturers and bullet makers. This is excellent information
and should be followed exactly.
Dierent powders are available to do dierent jobs.
Bullets having a high sectional density ( long length in rela-
tion to their diameter) require a slow burning powder. This
permits sustained peak pressure to gain maximum accelera-
tion within working pressure limits.
Short, light bullets use quicker burning powder for
complete combustion within the barrel. A wide selection of
powder is readily available. Powders should always be stored
in their original containers. While smokeless powder is not
an explosive and not as dangerous to handle as gasoline,
it would be foolish to handle it carelessly and store excessive
amounts. Follow the powder manufacturers’ recommendations
for storage and use.
PRIMERS
Rifle and pistol cartridges require dierent primers. Rifle
primers have a thick and stronger cup to withstand the
higher pressure. Pistol primers have a thinner cup for
easy detonation with a lighter hammer blow. Both rifle
and pistol primers are available in regular and magnum.
Use regular for all loads except if the load data specifies mag-
num primers.
Primers must always be stored in their original containers.
It is always a wise idea to wear safety or shooting glasses when
shooting or reloading.
BULLETS
Commercial rifle bullets usually have a sof lead core with a
copper jacket. Point shapes come in a variety of styles, but
usually have some sof lead exposed to properly mushroom
on impact.
The jackets serve a dual purpose: to control the bullet
expansion and act as a bearing surface for its high speed travel
down the bore. Some bullets have a crimping groove called a
cannelure. This groove must be seated almost entirely in the
case when crimping the case. The very end of the case mouth
is turned into this groove by the bullet seating die used in a
tubular magazine gun and most revolver ammunition.
Cast bullets are very popular with the handloader. These
are very economical to use and for all guns where the velocity
is less than 2,000 feet per second and can be as accurate as
jacketed bullets. They do not normally expand as well as sof
lead jacketed bullets on game. Therefore, it is poor economy to
use them for hunting.
CRIMPING
Ammunition loaded for hunting should always have the bul-
lets crimped in place, as should ammunition used in tubular
magazine and auto-loading rifles. It could ruin your hunt if a
bullet wedged in the chamber or pushed back into the case.
Best accuracy is usually obtained with crimped ammo as the
crimp has an eect on ignition, velocity, pressure and bal-
listic consistency. No die does a better job crimping than the
Lee Factory Crimp Die.
Cycle the press up and down.
If the turret does not stop in the correct
position—follow these instructions.
With the ram in the down position, place a
-inch wrench on the index rod and hold in
position. Now rotate the turret into the correct
position. Never use a pliers as index rod damage
will occur.
ADJUSTING THE INDEX
TF 3567
Square Ratchet TP 2673 Square index rod
TF 3566 Auto Index clamp
FT 3570
8-32
x 11⁄2Phillips panhead
PARTS LIST FOR THE FOUR HOLE AUTO INDEX
WARNING Handling live primers and spent primers may
expose you to lead or other chemicals, which are known
to the State of California to cause reproductive harm and
cancer. For more information, www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING Steel parts in this product may be alloyed with trace
amounts of lead and other elements which are known to the State
of California to cause reproductive harm and cancer. For more in-
formation, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. To prevent exposure,
do not alter the product by welding, grinding, etc.
DANGER
Ammunition reloading can be dangerous if done improperly and can result in serious injury or death.
Selecting and charging powder is the most important thing you can do for both the safety and accuracy for your reloads.
Be absolutely certain you have the correct type and amount of powder before you attempt to reload any cartridge.
CAUTION
2Ammunition reloading can be dangerous if done improperly and should not be attempted by persons not willing and able to read and
follow instructions exactly. 2Children should not be permitted to reload ammunition without strict parental supervision. 2Always
wear safety glasses and hearing protection when reloading and shooting. 2Ammunition loaded with these tools and data should only
be used in modern guns in good condition. 2We do not accept responsibility for ammunition loaded with these tools or data as we have
no control over the manufacture and storage of components or the loading procedure and techniques. 2Primers and gun powders, like
gasoline and matches, can be dangerous if improperly handled or misused.
