Lee dies question

[alanwk]

I am reloading 40S&W using Lee's 4 die set.
Can (or should) I seat the bullet and crimp with the seating die and then crimp again with the Factory Crimp die? Also how would I just seat the bullet (no crimp) with seating die and then crimp with FCD? Thanks.

[Divernhunter]

no need to crimp 2 times. To seat without crimping just screw the die body up a couple of turns and then extend the seating stem to the desired seating depth.

pretty simple really.

[tabascoz28]

I only use 3 dies for my 50AE, the seater is a crimp also. I think for some they want to make sure it's seated at the exact length and then crimp without messing with 2 variables. I've done that for years, wasting time on that 4th hole in the turret. But then I'd still have to pull it a 4th time no matter what...

So what press you're using dictates how many dies you can use. My friend has a Lee 1000 that only has 3 holes. Can't crimp rifles with it.

[bigbossman]

I seat and crimp pistol bullets in one operation. Easy to do, works great, less work.

[NeilMo]

To set up your bullet seating die so it doesn't crimp, remove the bullet seating stem, raise an empty case to the top of the press, screw the die in until it just contacts the case, unscrew the die two turns than lock it down. Reinstall the seating stem and adjust it as required to seat the bullet to COAL.

[ysr_racer]

To set up your bullet seating die so it doesn't crimp, remove the bullet seating stem, raise an empty case to the top of the press, screw the die in until it just contacts the case, unscrew the die two turns than lock it down. Reinstall the seating stem and adjust it as required to seat the bullet to COAL.

Yep, what he said.