Help - 9mm Lee Seating Die going badly

Is the seater plug missing?

I recently bought a .38S&W die set from Lee that had a .38spl seater plug installed. I had to send them and email and they promptly mailed the correct seater plug. Check that your is present and of the correct size.

That sounds like the plug is there, but the problem you describe sounds like it's not. Normally I run the plug for seating all the way out to get the die set to crimp. Once I'm happy with a firm (but not so strong as to damage the brass) crimp, I start to walk the seater plug in slowly. There are many ways to do this, but I like to put a bullet on a "dummy" cartridge (no powder or primer), then run it up into the die to just before it crimps. Then I start to tighten the screw to move the plug down. Keep doing this until OAL is where it needs to be.

TS22

No reason to crimp 9x19. Die should be set deep enough to remove the bell. Plug should be set to correct OAL. Do not run the expander to deep.

Mad Chemist said:

No reason to crimp 9x19. Die should be set deep enough to remove the bell. Plug should be set to correct OAL. Do not run the expander to deep.

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Admittedly, I don't reload 9mm or for any semi autos but do load for some revolvers and rifles (all lever or bolt guns). Are you saying you don't crimp at all on 9mm? I thought all semi-autos needed to be crimped to keep OAL when they are slammed into the chamber. Is this not true?

targetshooter22 said:

Admittedly, I don't reload 9mm or for any semi autos but do load for some revolvers and rifles (all lever or bolt guns). Are you saying you don't crimp at all on 9mm? I thought all semi-autos needed to be crimped to keep OAL when they are slammed into the chamber. Is this not true?

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You're thinking of semi-auto rifles. Semi-auto pistols are completely different, they generally headspace on the mouth of the case, so the mouth needs to be exposed. All you do is straighten the belling.

This^^^

It's the opposite of your normal routine for revolvers. 9x19 and most other semis just require you to remove the bell.

Mag revolvers OTOH, requires a good roll crimp for mag loads.

I never apply a crimp when I seat the bullets for 9mm. Subsequent to seating the projectile, I give them a slight taper crimp with the Lee factory crimp die.