I have a Forster Co-Ax and would like to start reloading pistol rounds (only reloaded rifle to date). I have been looking at the Redding carbide pistol dies. They have a set for progressive and a set for single stage.

Single stage presses:
Sizer, Expander, Seater/Crimp

Progressive Presses:
Sizer, Seater, Crimper

My question is how can a progressive do without an expander? Wouldnt seating/case crush be a problem?
I have heard differing stories of seating/crimping together or separate. Is there any preferance? Is one better than another?
Can I use the progressive dies in a single stage press? I dont want to have to buy new dies if I do buy a progressive.

Thanks

I haven`t played with a progressive but do load a lot of 45acp & 44 mag on a co-ax with Lyman carbide 4 die sets. I have heard some pogressive presses aline the bullet to the case mouth accuratly enough that expanding isn`t needed. I would question that if loading lead bullets although have been wrong before.
I`d personally look at a 4 die set and in any case go for a set with a expander included in it.

On my Dillon at least the expanding is done with the powder die. It really works or nobody would use one. When I think to my self "I just don't see how that could work" I think about how many people have been doing for many years and figure there must be something I don't know about or they would stop doing it that way.

quote:

Originally posted by Old Cane:
On my Dillon at least the expanding is done with the powder die. It really works or nobody would use one. When I think to my self "I just don't see how that could work" I think about how many people have been doing for many years and figure there must be something I don't know about or they would stop doing it that way.

The Dillon drops the powder charge "THRU" the EXPANDER, it doesn`t expand with a "powder die". This is simply a expander die with a hole in it, threaded at the top of the stem to except a powder measure. I checked Reddings site- http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/titancarb.html - and they really do eliminate the expander with this set.
Personally I`d go with a RCBS or Lyman carbide 4 die set at less then half the $$.

He`s not loading on a progressive so speed is a moot point, and set up with the Co-Ax is a one time thing with these dies unless he changes bullet make/style. Chargeing thru the expander isn`t possible with this press anyway, the handle rises over the top of the die and won`t allow a measure to be mounted.

i also have the co-ax; for handguns i prefer the lyman 4 die set, i really like the expander die, also the 4 die set lets you seat and crimp separately giving you better results, finally went to a lee 4 die turret press for handgun loading, i don't use the auto index, turn turret by hand it works great.

After some more reading, Redding assumes you will use the expander/powder die from the press manufacturer which is why they left it out.

quote:

This is simply a expander die with a hole in it, threaded at the top of the stem to except a powder measure

That makes more sense - I couldnt figure out how to load without it.

It seems like the consensus is a 4 die set with separate seating & crimping. So why are the Redding dies pistol so much more $$.

Thanks

I would like to relate an experience I had with Redding's customer service...
I bought a set of Redding 308 Norma Mag dies off eBay, and when they arrived, the decapping stem was bent, apparently due to incorrect adjustment. I called Redding and told the lady what I needed. What I got was a decapping stem for the .358 Norma Mag, I guess... Total cost with shipping (it was sent in a puff mailer ) was a bit over $18. And it was the WRONG stem!!!
I returned it, questioning the reason for shipping costs, and was told that was the standard charge for less than $XXX.
RCBS would have replaced the stem without charge, and would have sent it gratis. AND they would have gotten it right the first time. I eventually got my decapping stem, but it took a while.

In short, I won't purchase anything else Redding sells.

for now get the 4 die set, but make sure that the sizing die decapps also, usually the decap is in the expander. By making sure its in the sizer, you can then use it if you get a progressive press latter. then the expander die will just be cast aside

Most 4 die pistol sets I've seen decap in the sizing die. The Lee "speed" series dies expand and decap in tne same "die" (step), but that is a different animal. I think decapping in the expander die was more common in really old die sets.

Dillon progressives are the only ones that do not requre an expander in the die set (you get an expander with the caliber conversion kit). Lee, Hornady, and RCBS progressives all still need the expander from a conventional die set. Lee progressive presses need the hollow lee expander.

Hope this helps,

Andy