Crimp die problem?

[Deus Machina]

Got started on adjusting the dies in my Lee Pro 1000 (in hopes ot nabbing some primers soon ) and the crimp die is giving me problems.

Followed the instructions in Lee's Modern Reloading book--flare a case, move it into the crimp die, turn die down until it contacts case plus half a turn.

My flare is just enough to let a 125gr cast lead RN bullet at .356 in, without shaving lead off. The crimp die seems to be putting on a nice but light crimp.

It is also brushing the sides enough to size the portion just above the neck to .3545 or .355 (not a major problem, as long as the lead's not stuck in the die, really) and seating it down to 1.117-1.12 OAL (instead of 1.15) with the seater screw all the way out. The seater doesn't even seem to touch the nose of the bullet.

So... what's my issue? Is the 'through bore' (sorry, machinist talk) a hair too small? Should I run the die out until it doesn't seat it without the seater screw involved, and hope it still takes the bell out?

:banghead:

 

[loadedround]

Had to read your post three times to try to understand your question. I'm not sure if you're loading 9mm or 38 Special cases. so I'm going to to assume they're 9mm. If this is the case, remove your pistol barrel and drop your loaded case into the chamber. If it freely enters and seats flush to the rear of the chamber, your rounds are ok. Bear in mind the 9mm case headspaces on the case mouth and all you actually need is a "kiss Of crimp" to hold the bullet in place. I would not worry about those =/- .001" differences, since most of us can't use a micrometer that accurately anyway, we are reloaders, not machinists.

 

[mkl]

I'm a little confused also, but I'll try.

Don't seat and crimp at the same time.

Screw the seat die down until the crimp shoulder contacts the case mouth, and then back off 1/4 turn.

Lock the die.

Start seating your bullets and adjust the seater stem until you get the OAL you want. Seat all your bullets.

Unlock the die and back the seater stem all the way out.

Screw the die in until you feel the crimp shoulder contact the case mouth, and then add 1/4 turn.

Crimp. Adjust the die body farther down to give more of a crimp. When you get the crimp you want, lock the die and crimp all your cartridges.

 

[Walkalong]

flare a case, move it into the crimp die, turn die down until it contacts case plus half a turn.

If that is what is says in the manual, it is well....

Flare your case. Screw the seater die down to contact the shell holder. Back it off 2 full turns making sure it will not crimp. Seat a bullet, keep adjusting the sear stem until you get it where you want it. Screw the seater stem way up so it won't contact the bullet. Now start screwing the seater/crimp die down until you get the crimp you want. With the handle still down and the round in the die, screw the seater stem down until it contacts the bullet. Give it another 1/2 turn. Now seat and crimp a bullet at the same time. Adjust your seater stem a hair if needed.

Try that.

Your 'through bore' is probably just fine. Keep twiddling with it. You'll get it.

 

[Landric]

I think the problem with seating and crimping in different applications is that the Lee Pro 1000 is a 3-station progressive, so seating and crimping in separate operations would either call for a second single stage with a crimp die installed for all rounds that go through the Pro 1000 or changing the die settings in the press for each round. Kind of defeats the purpose of a progressive.