Lee Die Crimp?

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4x4yj

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I have a new 308 Win Lee Pacesetter 3 die set.
I know that the bullet seating die will also crimp if it is turned 1/4 more during setup, however the instructions with the die say "this die does not crimp".

I was going to shoot my loads without a crimp and try out the included factory crimp die later.

Does this die crimp because the directions say it does not?
 
The bullet seating die will not crimp, because it is a dead length seating die. It's not possible for it to crimp and sincr it contacts the shell holder, turning it a quarter turn more will do nothing. Your only option for crimp is the factory crimp die, which is fine because it works well. Are you loading for bolt action or semi automatic?
 
My pacesetter die set for .223 does not crimp with the seater die. If you want a crimp you have to use FCD.
 
Lee makes two different types of seating dies. One that seats and crimps and one that just seats. You have the latter; that's why the instructions say this die does not crimp. Just screw the die in until it touches the shell holder plus a quarter turn more. The only adjustment you do is turning the seating stem to adjust bullet seating depth. If you are loading for a bolt action you don't need to crimp your rounds either.
 
Ok, thanks HisStgness.... How can I know for sure which die I have ? my die looks different than the one in the picture with the instructions that came with my die?
 
Lee "308 Pacesetter 3-Die Set" includes - http://leeprecision.com/pacesetter-dies-308-win.html

- Full Length Sizing Die
- Dead Length Bullet Seating Die
- Factory Crimp Die

I have Lee "308 Deluxe Rifle Die Set" that includes:

- Full Length Sizing Die
- Dead Length Bullet Seating Die
- Collet Neck Sizing Die

The instruction sheet that came with my die set for the Dead Length Bullet Seating Die clearly states, "This die will not crimp the bullet in place."

Lee's downloadable instruction for the "Ultimate Rifle Die Set" which includes both Collet Neck Sizing Die and FCD states, "5. EASY ADJUST DEAD LENGTH BULLET SEATING DIE - this die does not crimp" - http://leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/UltimateRifleDies.pdf

4x4yj said:
Bolt action for now
Click to expand...
You may want to consider getting the Collet Neck Sizing die to neck size only for your bolt rifle.
 
4x4yj said:
How can I know for sure which die I have ? my die looks different than the one in the picture with the instructions that came with my die?
Click to expand...
Contact Lee Precision and tell them the die number imprinted on the die body.

My die set shows:

Full Length Sizing Die - "LEE - 308 - AI"
Dead Length Bullet Seating Die - "LEE - 308 WIN - KO"
Collet Neck Sizing Die - "LEE - 308 WIN - GO"
 
The Dead Length seater works well. No one who is looking for the best accuracy in a bolt gun crimps, at least not in any competition.

Forget about crimping and work up a nice load. You do want a reasonable amount of neck tension.
 
Thanks for the info Bds. I have the dead length bullet seating die with the 2 knurled edges as pictured with the 4 die set, even tho I have the 3 die set.

I believe everyone here that my die in fact does not crimp. I will just give lee a call to confirm. It seems like the die without the double knurled edges is the one that will crimp?
I am just puzzled as to why there are 2 different crimping and non crimping bullet seating dies? I wonder if you can even buy the crimping bullet seating die anymore?

I also found Lee date code info for dies.

http://leeprecision.net/support/ind...identifying-the-markings-or-stampings-on-dies
 
Walkalong said:
The Dead Length seater works well. No one who is looking for the best accuracy in a bolt gun crimps, at least not in any competition.

Forget about crimping and work up a nice load. You do want a reasonable amount of neck tension.
Click to expand...
Yes. Walkalong is correct. I never crimp for bolt guns either. If you have the 3 die set and one is the factory crimp die, in rifle dies the FC will be open topped.
 
Ok look, the Pacesetter die set you have includes the FCD as the third die. It's the short one. It will squeeze the very tip of the case neck into the bullet, depending on how far you screw it down. If you look at the inside you'll see four sections of curved steel. Those clamp together when you push the case into the die.
 
Thanks again everyone. I have used the lee crimp die on other calibers with great success.
I was just referring to the bullet seating die video and lee instructions that were saying that some of the bullet seating dies had the ability to also crimp.
 
I think you watched the wrong video. Chances are you watched this video titled "Installing and Adjusting Lee Rifle Seating & Crimping Die".

[YOUTUBE]t5546vLH0ZY[/YOUTUBE]

But since you have the Dead Length Rifle Bullet Seating Die, video titled "Adjusting Lee Rifle Dead Length Bullet Seating Die" should have been the one to watch.

[YOUTUBE]GRRgk1Ik7Po[/YOUTUBE]
 
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