Lyman MSR Precision Die System for .350 Legend Reloading

For enthusiasts, hunters, and sport shooters leveraging the potent .350 Legend cartridge in their Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs), the pursuit of optimal performance, consistency, and cost-effectiveness inevitably leads to the art of handloading. The Lyman MSR Precision Die System for .350 Legend is engineered as the cornerstone of this pursuit, offering a specialized solution for those who demand the utmost from their ammunition.

This comprehensive die set is specifically designed to address the unique characteristics and challenges of reloading for AR-platform rifles chambered in .350 Legend. It’s an essential investment for anyone looking to achieve superior accuracy, reduce ammunition costs, and tailor loads precisely to their firearm's specifications.

Why Reload Your .350 Legend Ammunition?

Many firearm owners ask, "Why should I bother reloading my own ammunition?" Especially with popular cartridges like the .350 Legend, which has seen widespread adoption for its effectiveness in hunting and recreational shooting, the benefits of handloading are compelling:

• Cost Savings: Factory ammunition, particularly specialized hunting loads, can be expensive. Reloading allows you to reuse spent brass, significantly reducing the per-round cost.
• Enhanced Accuracy and Consistency: Factory ammunition is manufactured to general specifications. Handloading empowers you to fine-tune every aspect of the cartridge – from bullet type and powder charge to seating depth – creating loads perfectly matched to your rifle's chamber, bore, and barrel harmonics. This precision often translates directly into tighter groups on target.
• Optimized Performance: Whether you're hunting deer at varying ranges or seeking maximum velocity for target shooting, reloading provides the flexibility to develop loads optimized for specific applications. You can control bullet expansion, penetration, and trajectory to a degree impossible with off-the-shelf options.
• Availability and Customization: Sometimes, specific bullet types or load configurations are difficult to find. Handloading ensures you always have access to your preferred ammunition, tailored to your exact needs. This is particularly true for popular, high-demand cartridges like the .350 Legend.
• Extended Brass Life: Proper sizing and care during reloading can extend the life of your brass casings, allowing for multiple reloads and further compounding your cost savings.

For the .350 Legend, a straight-walled cartridge, achieving consistent straightness and proper crimp is paramount for reliable feeding in MSR platforms and for maximizing accuracy. This is where a dedicated die system truly shines.

Engineered for MSR Platforms: The Lyman Advantage

What makes the Lyman MSR Precision Die System distinct from standard die sets? Lyman has meticulously engineered these dies to meet the rigorous demands of reloading for Modern Sporting Rifles. MSRs typically feature gas-operated actions, which can be less forgiving of ammunition variations compared to bolt-action rifles. Reliability in feeding, extraction, and cycling is paramount.

The Lyman MSR Precision Die System for .350 Legend is a 3-die set, comprising the essential tools for a high-quality reload:

1. Full-Length Sizing Die with Carbide Ring:
   • The Problem It Solves: After firing, brass expands to fit the chamber. For MSRs, brass must be sized back to factory specifications for reliable feeding and extraction. The .350 Legend, being a straight-walled cartridge, typically benefits immensely from carbide dies.
   • Lyman's Solution: This die features a robust, heat-treated steel body paired with a carbide sizing ring. Unlike traditional steel dies that require lubrication for every case, the carbide ring drastically reduces friction, allowing for lube-free sizing. This not only saves time and reduces mess but also minimizes the risk of stuck cases. The full-length design ensures that every dimension of the case, from base to mouth, is returned to spec, critical for reliable cycling in semi-automatic rifles.
   • Benefit: Enhanced longevity of the die, smoother operation, faster reloading, and consistent case dimensions ensuring flawless feeding in your AR-15 chambered in .350 Legend. The unique MSR-specific dimensions ensure proper headspace and shoulder bumping (if applicable, though less so for straight-wall) for the gas gun environment.
2. Bullet Seating Die:
   • The Problem It Solves: Correct bullet seating depth is crucial for both safety and accuracy. Inconsistent seating can lead to variations in chamber pressure, unreliable feeding, and poor accuracy.
   • Lyman's Solution: This die is designed for precision. It features a free-floating seating plug that aligns perfectly with the bullet, minimizing bullet deformation and ensuring uniform seating depth. The design also allows for easy adjustment of seating depth, giving the reloader fine control over the cartridge overall length (COAL), a critical factor for magazine fit and ballistic performance in MSRs.
   • Benefit: Achieves precise and consistent bullet seating, which translates directly to improved accuracy and dependable feeding from your rifle’s magazine.
3. Taper Crimp Die:
   • The Problem It Solves: For straight-walled cartridges like the .350 Legend, a proper crimp is vital. It secures the bullet, prevents bullet setback during feeding (especially critical in MSRs where rounds are aggressively fed into the chamber), and ensures consistent ignition. An improper crimp can lead to poor accuracy, unreliable feeding, and even dangerous pressure excursions.
   • Lyman's Solution: The dedicated taper crimp die applies a gentle yet firm crimp that secures the bullet without deforming the case mouth or over-stressing the brass. This specific type of crimp is ideal for the .350 Legend, promoting consistent neck tension and reliable feeding.
   • Benefit: Guarantees uniform and secure bullet retention, preventing bullet setback, optimizing powder burn for consistent velocities, and promoting smooth, reliable feeding in semi-automatic actions.

Unlocking Precision and Performance with Your Lyman Dies

The Lyman MSR Precision Die System is more than just a set of tools; it's an investment in your shooting performance. Here’s how these dies empower you to achieve unparalleled results:

• Consistent Headspace and Case Dimensions: The full-length sizing die, particularly vital for semi-automatic rifles, ensures that every case is returned to SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) specifications. This consistency is paramount for reliable chambering and extraction, preventing malfunctions that can plague MSR shooters.
• Reduced Runout and Enhanced Concentricity: The precise machining of Lyman dies helps minimize bullet runout – the deviation of the bullet's axis from the cartridge's axis. Lower runout directly translates to better accuracy, as the bullet enters the barrel more consistently.
• Optimized Neck Tension: Proper sizing and crimping work in tandem to provide ideal neck tension, which is the grip the case mouth has on the bullet. Consistent neck tension is a cornerstone of accurate ammunition, ensuring uniform bullet release and ignition.
• Extended Brass Life: By preventing over-sizing and minimizing stress on the brass during reloading, these dies contribute to longer brass life, allowing you to get more reloads from each casing.

Getting Started with Your Lyman .350 Legend Dies

For those asking, "What do I need to begin reloading with these dies?", or "How do I use a die set?", here's a general overview of the process and additional considerations:

1. Case Preparation: Before using the sizing die, spent .350 Legend cases need to be cleaned (e.g., tumbled) and decapped (which the sizing die typically handles). While the carbide sizing die is "lube-free," inspect cases for dents or damage.
2. Sizing and Decapping: Mount the full-length sizing die onto your reloading press. Insert a case into the shell holder and run it into the die. The carbide ring will resize the case, and the decapping pin will push out the spent primer.
3. Primer Seating: After sizing, new primers are seated into the primer pocket. This is usually done on the press or with a dedicated primer seating tool.
4. Powder Charging: Using a precise powder measure and scale, charge the case with the appropriate amount of powder. Consult a reliable reloading manual for specific powder types and charge weights for the .350 Legend.
5. Bullet Seating: Mount the bullet seating die. Place a bullet on the charged case and run it into the die to seat the bullet to the desired overall length. Again, consult your reloading manual for recommended COAL.
6. Crimping: Mount the taper crimp die. Run the loaded cartridge into the die to apply the crimp, securing the bullet.
7. Final Inspection: Always visually inspect every finished round for proper crimp, seating depth, and any anomalies.

Important Note for .350 Legend Reloaders: Being a straight-walled cartridge, the .350 Legend often requires a different approach than bottleneck cartridges, particularly regarding case trimming and crimping. The Lyman MSR die set is designed with these nuances in mind, making it an excellent choice for this specific round. Always consult multiple, up-to-date reloading manuals, such as the Lyman Reloading Handbook, for safe and effective load data.

Maintenance and Longevity

To ensure your Lyman MSR Precision Die System provides years of reliable service, proper care is essential:

• Cleaning: After each reloading session, wipe down your dies with a clean cloth. Occasionally, a more thorough cleaning with a gun solvent or die cleaning solution is recommended to remove powder residue and carbon buildup.
• Storage: Store your dies in their protective case in a dry environment to prevent rust. Applying a thin coat of rust preventative oil to the exterior of steel dies before storage is a good practice.
• Inspection: Periodically inspect the carbide ring and steel surfaces for any signs of wear or damage. While carbide is extremely durable, proper handling will extend its life indefinitely.

Troubleshooting Common Reloading Issues

Even with high-quality dies like the Lyman MSR system, reloaders may occasionally encounter issues. Here's how these dies help mitigate common problems and how to address them:

• Stuck Cases: While less common with carbide dies, if a case becomes stuck (usually due to insufficient lubrication on steel dies or extreme pressure), do not force it. Lyman offers stuck case removers, but prevention through proper technique is best.
• Inconsistent OAL: Ensure your press linkages are tight, the shell holder is clean, and the bullet seating die is securely locked. The free-floating seating stem in the Lyman die helps minimize this issue.
• Bulged Cases: If cases bulge near the base, your sizing die might not be fully engaging, or the case may be overly expanded. The Lyman full-length die is designed to address this by sizing the entire case body.
• Poor Crimp: Adjust the taper crimp die incrementally until the desired crimp is achieved. Too much crimp can buckle the case shoulder or mouth, while too little will result in insecure bullet retention. The dedicated taper crimp die simplifies this process for .350 Legend.

Safety First: A Paramount Consideration

Reloading is a rewarding hobby, but it demands respect and adherence to strict safety protocols. The Lyman MSR Precision Die System is designed for safe operation when used correctly, but ultimately, safety rests with the reloader.

• Always Consult Reloading Manuals: Never guess powder charges or seating depths. Use published data from reputable sources like Lyman, Hornady, Speer, or Sierra.
• Work in a Clean, Organized Area: Minimize distractions and maintain a tidy workspace to prevent errors.
• Wear Safety Glasses: Eye protection is non-negotiable when handling primers, powder, and performing any press operations.
• Store Components Safely: Keep primers and powder in their original containers, away from heat, open flames, and out of reach of children.
• Inspect Every Component: Before and after each step, inspect your cases, primers, powder, and bullets.
• Start Low, Work Up: When developing new loads, always start with the minimum recommended powder charge and gradually increase in small increments, watching for pressure signs.

Why Choose Lyman? A Legacy of Reloading Excellence

Lyman has been a trusted name in reloading equipment for over a century. Their commitment to quality, precision, and innovation has made them a go-to choice for serious handloaders worldwide. The Lyman MSR Precision Die System for .350 Legend (UPC 7769103) embodies this legacy, offering:

• Durability: Built from high-quality steel and featuring durable carbide, these dies are designed to withstand countless reloading cycles.
• Precision Manufacturing: Lyman's reputation for tight tolerances and consistent quality ensures that each die performs as intended, contributing to highly accurate ammunition.
• MSR-Specific Design: Unlike generic dies, this set is specifically tuned for the demands of the .350 Legend in AR-platform rifles, addressing the unique feeding and cycling requirements of semi-automatic firearms.
• Comprehensive Solution: As a 3-die set, it provides all the necessary components for complete and effective reloading of your .350 Legend cartridges.

This exceptional die system empowers reloaders to take full control of their .350 Legend ammunition, achieving levels of performance and consistency unmatched by factory loads. Whether you’re chasing sub-MOA groups, optimizing for specific hunting scenarios, or simply reducing your shooting costs, the Lyman MSR Precision Die System is an indispensable tool.

These products are all available at DEGuns, your trusted source for reloading equipment and shooting supplies.

Product Specifications

Feature	Description	Benefit
Product Name	Lyman MSR Precision Die System	Optimized for Modern Sporting Rifles, ensuring reliable function
Cartridge	.350 Legend	Specifically designed for the popular straight-walled hunting cartridge
UPC	7769103	Unique Product Code for easy identification and ordering
Die Type	3-Die Set (Full-Length Sizing, Bullet Seating, Taper Crimp)	Comprehensive set for complete cartridge reloading
Sizing Die	Full-Length Carbide Sizing Die	Lubeless operation, reduces friction, ensures consistent case dimensions
Crimping Die	Dedicated Taper Crimp Die	Secures bullet, prevents setback, enhances consistent ignition
Material	High-Quality Steel with Carbide Insert	Exceptional durability and precision for long-lasting performance
Compatibility	Standard reloading presses (7/8"-14 thread)	Universally compatible with most common reloading presses
Application	Handloading for hunting, target shooting, and recreational use	Allows for tailored loads, improved accuracy, and cost savings