Early Ideal to the Lyman/Ideal 310 Tools

Bryan Austin · December 21, 2010, 05:35:07 PM

Whats the difference between 1870's hand tools and current 310 hand tools? Does anyone have a video using one?

Ranch 13 · December 21, 2010, 06:06:02 PM

Interchangable dies for one thing.
Little bit of money spent here http://www.cornellpubs.com/index.php will pay divends in knowledge gained.

Bryan Austin · December 21, 2010, 06:58:22 PM

Quote from: Ranch 13 on December 21, 2010, 06:06:02 PM
Interchangable dies for one thing.
Little bit of money spent here http://www.cornellpubs.com/index.php will pay divends in knowledge gained.

Holy Documents Batman! Wife hate you

Bryan Austin · December 21, 2010, 07:40:37 PM

Does anyone have/use the early non adjustable loader and bullet mold for a 44 wcf or 45 Colt? Is it worth using? Whats the dia. the mold drops? Just curious. I doubt seriously I'd use the mold if I had one.

Bryan Austin · December 21, 2010, 07:48:01 PM

I have done a search and found some pretty good articles. I have known about these tools for a while but never took the time to check them out. I think its time to maybe purchase one or two.

Thoughts?

fourfingersofdeath · December 23, 2010, 06:33:17 AM

Apart from anything else the modern ones are alloy. I have several sets and they are good to use, not much different time wise to using a press.

I have a few sets and they are good at the range when working out loads, but I just mostly fill then up with black anyway.

JimBob · December 25, 2010, 11:58:19 AM

Here's a shop specializing in 310 tools new and old http://www.cnyauctions.com/the310shop.htm

Bryan Austin · December 25, 2010, 02:36:29 PM

Quote from: JimBob on December 25, 2010, 11:58:19 AM
Here's a shop specializing in 310 tools new and old http://www.cnyauctions.com/the310shop.htm

email sent.

Are these better than regular Lyman 310 sets? They substantially cost more.

JimBob · December 25, 2010, 04:05:24 PM

Quote from: Savvy Jack on December 25, 2010, 02:36:29 PM
email sent.

Are these better than regular Lyman 310 sets? They substantially cost more.

Most of his stuff is vintage in calibers not offered anymore or new made steel handled 310 tools not offered by Lyman.Are they better than Lyman,no.But Lyman doesn't make a lot of calibers anymore or the steel handles.Sometimes you can catch good deals on the auction sites or e-bay.If you're looking for a cheaper reloading set up than buying a press this place is not it.He does have a lot of hard to find 310 items.

Wolfgang · December 26, 2010, 04:32:55 AM

Quote from: JimBob on December 25, 2010, 11:58:19 AM
Here's a shop specializing in 310 tools new and old http://www.cnyauctions.com/the310shop.htm

Jim Bob, . . . . thanks for the link . . . I don't know if I'm ever gonna buy any . . . . but nice to have the link . . . . If'n I ever get a Buffalo Gun . . . Sharps or Roller . . . I'd probably look for an antique set of hand tools just have 'em to go with the shootin' iron . . .

Bryan Austin · December 26, 2010, 08:32:41 AM

I just mised a like new original no adjustment 44-40 set on ebay for $102. I forgot about the auction and missed it. I went ahead and ordered a new set from Midway for the 44-40. If I like the set I'll get some 45 colt dies too. I still do not have my reloading shop set back up so this will keep me bzy through the winter. I do hope to get my 6x9 building moved the first week of Jan so I can get set back up! Been dry since Sept cept for some wax bullets

Bryan Austin · December 30, 2010, 08:30:11 PM

Decapped 50 rounds tonight. What a great little tool!

fourfingersofdeath · December 31, 2010, 02:09:51 AM

Well done Jack, the primer seater is the niftiest tool out. I get a real buzz reloading with these tools, For a long time I reloaded my 30/30s using them. Very satisfying to use ammo produced in such a basic way.

john boy · December 31, 2010, 11:14:50 AM

My suggestion is keep an eye on eBay for the Ideal tong tools ...

not the 3-1 tools. Why? Because the tong tools had a mold. And make sure the eBay vendor show a clear up close picture of the mold cavity. The 1st one I bought (25-20) didn't have a clear picture of the cavity and I had to lap it.
Also, an item of note. Ideal on many of their tong tools did not cut vent lines. This is not a concern because the mold will still drop nice bullets like the 38-55M (M for Marlin) that I bought

Bryan Austin · December 31, 2010, 12:37:18 PM

I am curious. The original tools did not resize the neck, or seems so from what I have read. What are the advantages and disadvantages of neck resizing? My 310 is set for 427 bullets of which I have some for CAS and plinking. The expander only expands for the 427 and not the 429/430. Of course this is for black powder so the bullet wont fall down into the case. The 310 crimps pretty nice.

JimBob · December 31, 2010, 12:58:00 PM

Quote from: Savvy Jack on December 31, 2010, 12:37:18 PM
I am curious. The original tools did not resize the neck, or seems so from what I have read. What are the advantages and disadvantages of neck resizing? My 310 is set for 427 bullets of which I have some for CAS and plinking. The expander only expands for the 427 and not the 429/430. Of course this is for black powder so the bullet wont fall down into the case. The 310 crimps pretty nice.

When those early tools were made sizing was done with a seperate "shell resizer".You hammered or pressed the cartridge into it and drove it out.Most full length resized the cartridge although some target rifles came with a neck resizer and I believe Sharps made a neck resizer.

You also have to consider that the tong type tool is not of sufficent strength to full length size even if you had the hand strength to do it.As to neck sizing only,this works if the sized cartridges are fired in the same chamber they came out of,otherwise it doesn't work well when those cartridges are fired in another firearm.The tong tools do have some limitations when it comes to resizing cartridges.