How to Reload Die Reamers

Whether you choose to reload your own shells to stretch your ammunition budget, or shoot big-game wildcat shells no longer mass manufactured, knowing how to use a die reamer is essential to properly reloading your rounds. Because a cartridge expands slightly when it fires, you can’t merely pick up spent shells, repack and fire them. A die reamer, which must be the correct size to match the caliber of the gun you fire, forces shot shells back into the correct shape in order to safely and accurately fire them again.

Things You'll Need

  • Reloading manual
  • Single stage or turret press
  • Spent bullet casings
  • Collet die reamer
  • Primer die
  • Gunpowder
  • Scale
  • Funnel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Consult a reloading manual to determine the amount of powder and the correct die to use when reloading your shells. Many shooters keep notes in their reloading manual to fine-tune their ammunition based on their shooting style and gun performance, although recommended settings are a good place to start.

    • 2

      Insert the properly sized collet die into the ram arm on the turret press. Adjust the die’s depth in the ram by screwing it until it touches the shell holder. Lower the ram into its thrust position, then turn the die an additional single full turn.

    • 3

      Insert the shell into shell holder, and extend the ram on the press into the shell. If the casing shell is too tight to manually press a bullet into it, you’ve selected the correct die. If not, adjust your die size and re-ream the shell.

    • 4

      Insert a primer pocket reamer into the ram arm on the press, and insert primer into the die. Lower the press arm, pressing the primer into bottom of the shell.

    • 5

      Measure the amount of gunpowder by weight appropriate to reloading the rounds as indicated by the reloading manual. Using a funnel for accuracy, dump the proper

    • 6

      Remove the pocket reamer with a die reamer, adjusting its depth so it makes contact with the shell holder, plus an additional 1/4 turn. Seat the bullet in the die, and extend the ram.