Lee Carbide Pistol Dies

[Bedlam]

Alright so a silly question for some experienced re-loaders. So far I have only reloaded .308 for a bolt gun so no crimp was necessary I just started reloading for my .40 S&W I understand that with any semi-auto and any pistol cartriage you want to crimp your case. The issue is I am using Lee Carbide Pistol Dies in the reading there is some indication that the bullet seat die also provides a crimp. However I know they also sell Crimp dies. Should I just go ahead and get a crimp die as well and use it just for safeties sake?

[pisarski]

you don't have to the bullet seating die is a crimp die to or you can get the factory crimp die but you don't have to

[bruceflinch]

I've not had good luck w/ the combo seater/crimp die. They are difficult to get adjusted just right. I like a separate crimp die.

[Ground Loop]

I like a separate crimp die as well.

It's not so much to crimp .40 S&W as it is to take the case bell back out and make the case mouth uniform.

Contrast with hot revolver rounds where you really want to roll some brass into the cannelure.

[buffybuster]

Once setup. the bullet seater will apply a nice taper crimp (semi-auto) or roll crimp (revolver).

This is how I set it up:

1. Screw down the seating stem a few turns. Screw the die into the press and screw it down enough that you make light contact with an EMPTY case. Put the bullet on and run it in the die, it should be too long. Screw down the seating stem 1/8-turn at a time until you reach the COAL that you want (but still no crimp). Now BACK OFF the seating stem screw a few turns (so it's not touching the bullet) then turn in the die 1/8-turn at a time until you get the amount of crimp that you want (you are no longer pushing the bullet in). Once you get the amount of crimp that you want, screw down/lock the locking ring and with the bullet in the die, screw down the seating stem until it contacts the bullet. Now your seating die is set for crimp and OAL.

Don't go too crazy with the crimp. Semi-auto's headspace on the casemouth and the taper crimp is just to bring the casemouth to the bullet. It should NOT be cutting into the bullet. Also for revolvers, an over-aggressive roll crimp can actually be counterproductive. Most of the holding force of the bullet comes from neck tension. Ideally the loaded rounds should have a slight "coke bottle" appearance. Too much roll crimp actually reduces neck tension. The crimp is important for inhibiting setback.

[CGK60]

I have been using a three die set up and just went with the fourth die. I'll never go back to three again.

[Bedlam]

Fair enough so its a mater of opinion really. Should I just cycle them through my pistol a few times to verify there is no shortening of the round from the bullet being driven farther in?

I used the screw the die in till it touches then add another 1/8 - 1/4 turn past that point method.

[AJD]

Buffybuster covered it very well. Crimping really doesn't do much to prevent setback. A properly sized case is what does it. Really you should use just enough crimp to remove the bell from the expander die. You can either adjust the seating/crimping die to seat and crimp in one step or only to seat in one step and then go back and crimp after you're done seating.

[anothergunnut]

The Lee factory crimp dies for pistols (not rifles) has a secondary function: post sizing. Some shooters swear that the post sizing makes for much more accurate ammo. I just like the simplicity of a separate die.

[diginit]

I use a Lee 3 die set for pistol loads. Load a dummy round. Pull the bullet after crimping, You should see a slight mark where the case mouth contacts the bullet. If the crimp cuts into the bullet, It is too deep. Back it off alittle. Load another, Then pull and check it. And so on. Then set the OAL. to desired length. pull and check it. Then reload your heart out.

[ireload]

Do get a seperate crimp die. It's not that much in price with Lee anyway. I use to seat and crimp in the same process back in the days when I first started reloading. After a few frustrated moments and a advice from another more experienced reloader, it's been a seperate operation since.