Crimp or OAL

[littlebob3]

What is more important, Crimp or OAL.
The reason I ask it this.
I am using a Redding Competition Seater Die 9mm.
If I only use it the Redding setting die the OAL is + - .001 to + - .002.

If I have the LEE Factory crimp in the press and adjusted to crimp, after the Redding seater die then I get a bigger variations in OAL… from 1.1490 to 1.1560.

Is it LEE, should I look for a different crimp die?

I have tried to set the Lee die to different depths. This only happens when the crimp takes place. I can only guest it does not let the press go all the way to the top.

Any suggestion will be appreciated.

 

[918v]

You are crimping too much. The crimp is deforming the bullet, thereby making it longer. Since the amount of crimp is determined by case length, due to the variance in case length your OAL also varies in proportion.

 

[littlebob3]

I am not sure that is the problem...
I have made 20 - 30 test rounds (no powder) used lit to heavy crimps. Same problem, I then pulled all the test bullets (berry's 124gr) and look to see if the copper is over crimped. In the heavy I can see the copper being pushed in but on the lit I can hardly see the crimp but have the same problem with the OAL.

 

[243winxb]

Adjustment problem? The degree of crimp is adjusted by how far down the knob on the top of the die is turned in. The proper setting for this die is with the adjustment knob turned all the way up, turn the die into the press until it touches the shell plate or shell holder which should be in the raised position. Then, raise an empty case into the die and begin to turn the knob inward until you feel it stop on the top of the case. Another 1/2 turn will apply a good crimp and you can adjust from there to suit your specific need.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I don't use the LFC. When I load for auto pistol, I "crimp" just enough to remove the flare or bell.
If they're fine before you shove them up the FCD, that must be the cause.. it must be "drawing" or swaging the bullet.

 

[littlebob3]

Both 918v & Certaindeaf May be right... it may have been to much crimp.
I have re-adj and it's looking a lot better.

Many thanks to all.

 

[snuffy]

A crimp ONLY die like the FCD should not affect OAL. Something else is happening to cause the bullet to grow longer. Unless you are not setting the FCD correctly. IF you're squeezing the living heck out of the bullet, by having the crimp set way too deep, it COULD be increasing the length by swaging the bullet.

Another thing that could be, you don't have a tight fit for the bullet in the neck. How's the bullet pull? Test it by trying to push the bullet further into the case neck by pressing it against your bench with your fingers,(before crimping). Size a case, expand/bell it, then seat it. Now see if it can be easily seated deeper by hand. If it's easy to push in, then the FCD is simply trying to spit the bullet out of the case.