Issues with Lee 10mm Taper Crimp Die

[Dane R. Marley]

FYI, Before I started using my dies I did clean them.

I just loaded 10mm for the first time. My press is a Dillon 750, my cases are New Starline 10mm Cases, my sizing die is a Mighty Armory, the seating die is a Dillon, and my crimping die is a Lee Taper Crimp Die.

On my return stroke I am hearing a noise from my crimp die and a pop as it exits the die. Inspecting the crimped cases I found scratches all around the case mouth in a full 360 degrees.

I use Lee crimp Dies for all of my set ups and I have never had any issues with any of Lee's products or Dies. I did open up a ticket with Lee this morning asking them to replace my die.

Anyone else ever have a problem like this with Lee Crimp Die? I suspect the die needs to be polished but I feel that it should be done by Lee, and not me.

 

[Rule3]

Is your brass super squeaky clean like from wet cleaning?
As an experiment spray some lube on some of the brass and see if it fixes the issue.

 

[Dane R. Marley]

Is your brass super squeaky clean like from wet cleaning?
As an experiment spray some lube on some of the brass and see if it fixes the issue.

I did not clean the brass, it is new. I did resize the brass with my new Mighty Armory 10mm Sizing Die on my Mec Marksman Press before I loaded the brass on my Dillon 750. I did that to evaluate my new MA Die.

 

[Y-T71]

Yeah, brand new brass or, sometimes, wet tumbled brass will occasionally stick in my sizing or expanding dies.

Dry tumbled brass (with a little tumbling residue/dust from my crushed walnut media) do not.

I've taken to throwing my new brass (which I've only started using recently) in my vibratory tumbler for a few minutes before I start loading.

 

[Bill M]

I hate using new pistol brass, and only recently started tumbling it before loading, it sure helps!

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I found if i dry tumble new brass. With a fresh dose of new finish. It helps new brass go better.

 

[eddiememphis]

I had a similar issue with a roll crimp die in .44 Magnum.

It does catch and "pop". It left a ring on the case as well. I cleaned it with some 800 grit sandpaper and the cases are cleaner, although the "pop" is still there.

I read that is a feature of the die, supposed to have something to do with the powder.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

You might wanna research Mighty Armory dies then purchase something else.

 

[Otto]

I suspect the die needs to be polished but I feel that it should be done by Lee, and not me.

Polishing takes all of 5 minutes. Why bother with mailing and waiting days?

 

[Bill M]

I started loading 10mm foor a 610 revolver, but with a taper crimp, I would sometimes get bullet jump, and couldn't open the cylinder without firing. I contacted Lee, and explained my problem, they made an insert for the crimp die that would roll crimp one way, and taper crimp the other, it works great!

 

[Y-T71]

I started loading 10mm foor a 610 revolver, but with a taper crimp, I would sometimes get bullet jump, and couldn't open the cylinder without firing. I contacted Lee, and explained my problem, they made an insert for the crimp die that would roll crimp one way, and taper crimp the other, it works great!

Good to know.

Thanks for that info.

I'm also loading for a 610 (along with a 1006) and, while I haven't had a problem yet, I could see my bullets jumping a taper crimp in my revolver as I explore the performance potential of the 10mm in an "N" frame S&W.

 

[ms6852]

I started loading 10mm foor a 610 revolver, but with a taper crimp, I would sometimes get bullet jump, and couldn't open the cylinder without firing. I contacted Lee, and explained my problem, they made an insert for the crimp die that would roll crimp one way, and taper crimp the other, it works great!

Did you try adjusting the die for a tighter crimp. Sometimes that is all you need.

 

[Bill M]

I did try squeezing the taper to the point of deforming my bullets, but a roll crimp was what I needed, the folks at Lee are always helpful. (I'm still waiting for them to get the primer feed figured out on my 6PP, but I have confidence!).

 

[Soonerpesek]

Just heed what this man said:

I found if i dry tumble new brass. With a fresh dose of new finish. It helps new brass go better.

….. and the issue should pass….

 

[Rule3]

I did not clean the brass, it is new. I did resize the brass with my new Mighty Armory 10mm Sizing Die on my Mec Marksman Press before I loaded the brass on my Dillon 750. I did that to evaluate my new MA Die.

Well then it is squeaky clean.

 

[lightman]

You might wanna research Mighty Armory dies then purchase something else.

Is there a reason behind this statement. PM me if you don't want to make a public statement. Just curious, Thanks

Polishing takes all of 5 minutes. Why bother with mailing and waiting days?

Thats what I was thinking. I would start with a bore brush on a drill, then move to a bore mop with some Flitz or similar polish. I wouldn't think this would violate any warranty.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Is there a reason behind this statement. PM me if you don't want to make a public statement. Just curious, Thanks

Yep.
They have a reputation of scratching brass, along with a lack of nesion causing loose bullets.

 

[lightman]

Ok, I have not heard this. Thanks for the reply!

 

[bfalcon00]

Yeah I have a full set of Mighty Armory dies in 9mm that I don't much care for. Actually had trouble giving them away.

 

[Dane R. Marley]

Yeah I have a full set of Mighty Armory dies in 9mm that I don't much care for. Actually had trouble giving them away.

What didn't you like about them? Did you give them away?

 

[Walkalong]

What didn't you like about them?

Yes, inquiring minds want to know.

 

[bfalcon00]

Well first off the sizing die needs lube at least on the 9mm set I have. That one is on me, I didn't read down far enough on the page as it was stated there. The sizing die did produce a real nicely tapered case with no wasp waist effect as advertised.

The seating die has a plastic insert that made contact with the bullet and slowly deformed over time with Xtreme 124 grain HPCB projectiles. Was a nice die otherwise, just that part should be metal and the OAL moved as the plug deformed. This was really my biggest complaint.

Now the outside of the dies where beautifully finished. I'm talking almost a work of art which made the plastic plug thing a damn shame.

I got busy and let them sit on my shelf way to long before I tried them out. Ended up well outside the return window which is also very much on me. I'll check out all new dies much sooner in the future.

Now the fun part. I still have the three die set, and the first I want it posted publicly on here can have them. I would like to know the opinion of that person once they use them for awhile,

That being said, I love those Redding NxGen dies and those will be what I buy from here on out. Their sizing die does the same as Mighty Armory but without lube.

 

[Walkalong]

I love those Redding NxGen dies and those will be what I buy from here on out. Their sizing die does the same as Mighty Armory but without lube.

So does my LEE 9MM sizer with its long tapered carbide insert.

 

[bfalcon00]

Yeah for the price of those Mighty Armory dies, I expected quite a bit more. They get really good reviews from some guys, but I for one will not be buying any more.

 

[jimbo4]

I will take them to try out