question about installing 380acp dies

[45taurus]

I was taking them out and setting them up and i noticed in the setup guide that lee provides is different than when i set up my 9mm and .45 dies. On my 9mm and 45 it says to raise the ram and screw the bullet seating die until it touches the shell plate then turn back three full times and tighten down. On the 380 it says to put a casing in the shell plate and raise the ram, then screw down the die until it starts to make contact with the casing and tighten down. Why is that? my die is barely in my turret disk. How would it seat a bullet straight if the whole casing is outside of the die? This doesn't make sense to me can you please help. Also if this is correct, why is it different?

 

[Steve Koski]

If I understand correctly...

You need to turn the seating die down until the crimp ring way up inside the die makes contact with the case mouth. Don't stop when the bottom edge of the die reaches the case.

Funny, I just reloaded .380 for the first time last week. Worked like a charm. But, I HATE seating and crimping in the same step. I can do it (adjust the dies correctly), but I'd much rather do 'em as separate steps.

 

[45taurus]

I understand what you are saying. Why does Lee word it like that then? Theres no mention of the casings making contact with the crimp ring, only the die itself...Thanks for the help.

 

[Steve Koski]

The crimp ring IS where the die makes contact with the case (if everything is lined up properly).

Why are things worded differently? Who knows.

Lee might also not make this seat/crimp die as tall as others. I've always adjusted the seat/crimp die based on the bullet seating (COL) and the crimping action. I never paid attention to how close the die was to the shell plate.

 

[45taurus]

ok thanks man i got her figured out.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I vote with Steve; hate to seat and crimp on the same station. It's like trying to get out of your car at the same time you slam the door shut...
Unless the bullet is too large or the case sized too small, you shouldn't have to support the case to any huge degree while bullet seating.
Moon

 

[gamestalker]

If not for the fact that I am well versed in reloading, I would have been confused as well. I've seen the same instructions and just ignored them and set up as usual with no problems. But if I were new to hand loading and needed to refer to those instructions, I'm certain I would have been lost.