Hornady pistol die set 4(!) dies?

[BrokenWheel]

I have a SW 500 die set from Hornady that came with a special crimp die. What is it used for?

does it just crimp? If so, could I forgo the crimp step in the bullet seater die station and then crimp using this die? The reason I ask is that there is so much variability in my OAL when I seat bullets. My hope is that if I use this 4th die as a "crimp only station" maybe it would improve my consistency of OAL's?

 

[rfwobbly]

I have no experience with the S&W500, and you've not said what kind of press you are using.....

But generally speaking, when using a progressive press many people prefer to crimp in a separate die merely for the simplicity of adjustment. With a single stage press you may wish to hurry up and get the job done with 3 dies and forgo the extra die change.

 

[BrokenWheel]

Sorry, its a hornady LnL. its a progressive press.

 

[rfwobbly]

Unless there is something special about reloading the big S&W500 that I don't understand, then you'll find the extra die a convenience. You'll be able to dial in your crimp without upsetting the adjustment on your seater die. And face it, no matter how many dies are in the press, it still takes 5 handle pulls to get a cartridge all the way around.

 

[BrokenWheel]

Thanks ! This is good news because I was getting frustrated!

 

[Kernel]

The fourth die is a tapper crimp die. It should say “TC” somewhere on the side. Roll crimping is incorporated into the seating die.