Lee Deprimer and Sizer

[Annwn]

I have this Lee deprimer and sizer and I am trying to use for .45.

I know that when Gecko purchased it, he had only one caliber in mind (9mm) and I know for sure that he used it for 9mm. He complained a lot about it being additional work, blah blah blah, so I have a suspicion he only used it for 9mm. I can't seem to find any extra parts or instructions for it. It looks like I can change out the slot-thingy that the 9mm casing would slide into, so I assume the press itself is not caliber specific.

My questions are:
1. When you buy one of these presses, are they for one caliber only? Or do you buy the press and order the attachments for the caliber you want separately?
2. Where can I buy something like this? Or get attachments? Or instructions?

[traveler]

slot-thingy

I'm sorry. I really apologize, but I cannot resist. I am helpless.

[Annwn]

slot-thingy

I'm sorry. I really apologize, but I cannot resist. I am helpless.

I figured I was doing good in that I knew it was for depriming AND sizing.

[LarryFlew]

If the die (top screw in pc) is 9mm specific you would need to purchase a universal decapper or the die for your caliber as well as the shell holder on the bottom. If the die is universal it will be wide and smooth on the inside. Try it with a 9 mm case and decap one. If it pulls fairly hard coming back out it probably is a resizing die. If it comes up easily it is likely universal. Then try a larger caliber like 45. If it doesn't fit into the decapping die it isn't universal.

This only takes care of punching out the primer. You then need the dies for the rest of the operation which is where vast knowledge should be accumulated before going further. Decapping a bunch is easy and doesn't require much information. Loading however is not easy and requires a lot of knowledge.

[Annwn]

If the die (top screw in pc) is 9mm specific you would need to purchase a universal decapper or the die for your caliber as well as the shell holder on the bottom. If the die is universal it will be wide and smooth on the inside. Try it with a 9 mm case and decap one. If it pulls fairly hard coming back out it probably is a resizing die. If it comes up easily it is likely universal. Then try a larger caliber like 45. If it doesn't fit into the decapping die it isn't universal.

I tried it out and the die is definitely 9mm only and for resizing. Do you know where I can buy a decapping die and a shell holder?

This only takes care of punching out the primer. You then need the dies for the rest of the operation which is where vast knowledge should be accumulated before going further. Decapping a bunch is easy and doesn't require much information. Loading however is not easy and requires a lot of knowledge.

Yeah, I'm quickly realizing how spoiled I was. Gecko was in the process of teaching me how to reload and one of his friends is going to come over and work with me to see where Gecko left off. However, I was hoping to at least have the brass tumbled, resized and deprimed before he came over.

[traveler]

At least you are attempting to learn how to reload, and that is +100.

[yuppiejr]

That is one of the basic Lee C-style presses, you would want to pair it with the appropriate die set for the caliber you are trying to reload (9mm Luger, .45 ACP, etc..) - Lee makes good, affordable 4-piece carbide sets for around $40 per caliber that include a decap/sizing die, expander/charging die, bullet seating die and a factory crimp die plus a powder scoop, shell holder and some basic reloading data (Cabelas in Rogers and Gunstop in Minnetonka both carry them locally). They can also be ordered online from Natchez Shooting Supplies or Midway USA among many others.

If you don't have one lying around I'd suggest picking up a Lyman's 49th edition reloading manual to review which will include both instructions for operating your reloading set plus some good loading data. Good luck!

[timwarner]

Pretty sure Lee die sets come with a shellholder, otherwise you have your usual sources.
Midway, cabelas, Gunstop, Bullseye shooters supply.

[LarryFlew]

On line cheapest is http://factorysales.com/html/xcart/home.php

Ammocraft in Hopkins is a Lee dealer and has most of their stuff.

[Seismic Sam]

Yeah!! SLOT THINGY???? Someone needs to RTFM before they go any further with their reloading attempts!! Shellholder heads are pretty much interchangable regardless of brand for an single station or turret press, and so are the dies. Never heard of a press for a single caliber set of dies, because 99.9% of all dies are 7/8-14 screw threads. The one exception are 50 BMG dies.

[ScatterGun4015]

Yeah!! SLOT THINGY???? Someone needs to RTFM before they go any further with their reloading attempts!! Shellholder heads are pretty much interchangable regardless of brand for an single station or turret press, and so are the dies. Never heard of a press for a single caliber set of dies, because 99.9% of all dies are 7/8-14 screw threads. The one exception are 50 BMG dies.

Totally agree with sam on the read the manuel thingy. Its one thing to just start slappin ammo together and having an issue. Its another to be completely informed going into it. I read manuels and got the understanding of it before I ever tried to reload. Side note: sam.....saw in your side that you live in afton. I grew up on afton hills dr. Beautiful area out there. Also there was a die I read about called the 310 tong die that was its own thing. That definately wasn't universal

[Seismic Sam]

Yeah!! SLOT THINGY???? Someone needs to RTFM before they go any further with their reloading attempts!! Shellholder heads are pretty much interchangable regardless of brand for an single station or turret press, and so are the dies. Never heard of a press for a single caliber set of dies, because 99.9% of all dies are 7/8-14 screw threads. The one exception are 50 BMG dies.

Totally agree with sam on the read the manuel thingy. Its one thing to just start slappin ammo together and having an issue. Its another to be completely informed going into it. I read manuels and got the understanding of it before I ever tried to reload. Side note: sam.....saw in your side that you live in afton. I grew up on afton hills dr. Beautiful area out there. Also there was a die I read about called the 310 tong die that was its own thing. That definately wasn't universal

The Lyman 310 dies are a unique setup, but I don't recall them being caliber specific. Thay are like a large set of pliers, and you screw these dies into them that are smaller than regular, and then you can crank out some remedial ammo at the range. At some point in the past they may have had some utility, but considering the numbers of FULL reloading presses you see at OGC these days for old farts like me who are doing Schutzen or benchrest on the range, they're pretty much relevant as the buggy whip socket on a Model T Ford.