RCBS 9mm 3 die set - Crimping

[flgolfer29]

I received a RCBS 9mm carbide 3 die set as part of Lee Loadmaster package purchase from one of our nice members, mstreddy. All of the dies I currently use are the Lee brand that includes the factory crimp die.

There seems to be a good mix of reloaders using 3 and 4 die sets. For the RCBS users, is the bullet seating die do a good job of taper crimping also, or is it recommended to purchase another brand of taper crimp die?

Thank in advance for any input.

joe

 

[oneounceload]

Mine has worked well for over 30 years with no issues, never needed a fourth die to make good ammo

 

[Potatohead]

If you're asking if the seater die crimps well I say yes. Also the Lee FCD crimps well as a seperate operation.

 

[mdm]

I found that too often when I seated the bullet and crimped with the same die I didn't have good control of the OAL. The crimping would push the bullet in further. I've gone to using a separate crimping die and have gotten much better results this way.

 

[jwrowland77]

I always seat and crimp at same time. Never had any issues

 

[moxie]

The RCBS 3 die set does the job perfectly.

 

[gmackhurry]

I personally prefer the taper dies to just barley close the gap and make the brass just touch the bullet and no more. I guess you would call that a light crimp. With that said I think any 3 die set utilizing the one step seat and crimp is more than adequate. I tried the 4th step crimp only and it produced nothing better than the 3 step for me. Hope this helps.

 

[gamestalker]

I as well have had absolutely no problems using the standard taper crimp /seating die that comes with the 3 die sets. Lee and RCBS have both functioned 100% perfectly for over 30 yrs..

I have never needed or used the Lee FCD, and IMO it isn't necessary if your using good brass and good / normal neck tension, and have the crimp / seating die adjusted correctly in the first place. I've never had problems with set back.

If a reloader is experiencing set back, it's either because they have over crimped, or the brass doesn't have proper neck tension to begin with. Just as an example of this, is, ever since the .40 cal. came into production, I have stopped crimping all rimless auto loading cartridges with jacketed bullets. I simply put a light even chamfer on the inside of the un-belled mouth, set the bullet on the case mouth, which will set up straight as an arrow, and then just seat. Very quick and simple, and I have had absolutely no issues what so ever using this method. But if a light taper crimp is desired, which is perfectly normal, and taught to us as a necessary step in our books as a means of removing the bell, the standard taper crimp die supplied with your die set will do just fine.

FYI, the crimp does not provide any bullet hold or neck tension what so ever and is only a step used to remove the bell.

GS

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like already said, the RCBS seating die will crimp just fine but since you are using a progressive press and have the station for a separate crimp why not buy a crimp die crimp die and use the 2 steps?

 

[mstreddy]

Joe, thanks for the good comments -- glad you are happy with the deal.
As to the RCBS 3 die set in 9MM, I've used mine without any issues or needing to purchase the Lee Factory Crimp die.
I do seat and crimp in one step. I've loaded FMJ, Plated and lead with no issues. One of the keys is to ensure you are NOT over belling the mouth. For FMJ or plated, just flare enough to get the bullet going. For lead, it may require more.
Now, when you go seat, just crimp as little as you need to remove the flare.
I don't remember, did the die set include the instruction sheet? If so, go over the section on seating -- crimping and follow the steps. For most AutoLoader pistol and rifle rounds I typically follow the seat without crimping instructions.
Let me know if they instructions aren't there and I'll scan and send them to you.

 

[the count]

Big fan of the Lee factory crimp die.

If you have a free spot I sure would recommend the FCD. Makes for very reliable ammo.

 

[cfullgraf]

I crimp separatly, an old habit from the days when taper crimp seating dies were few and far between.

Crimping with the seater die is a viable option though.

 

[Walkalong]

The RCBS seater will seat and crimp 9MM just fine. The only time it will give a problem is if it is adjusted incorrectly. there is so little movement going on with a proper taper "crimp" it won't hurt anything.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7699828&postcount=14

If you want to "crimp" in a separate step buy a crimp only die for it. Lee, RCBS, Redding, doesn't matter. No need for the FCD.

 

[flgolfer29]

mstreddy, I did receive the instructions with the die set. The press has been mounted but I have not yet finished with setting it up, hopefully this weekend.

I thank everyone for their input and I will try a test run with just the 3 die in the next couple of days or so and see how it goes.

Joe

 

[2ndchance]

I use RCBS dies also. I also highly recommend a separate Keep Factory Crimp Die. A real time saver and is very consistent.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

As already stated, if adjusted to spec and directions the RCBS 9mm dies are perfectly capable of making top end ammunition including taper crimp.

I just spent 2 weekends measuring and disassembling factory ammunition (premium stuff) and comparing tolerances and precision to my hand loaded 9mm done with RCBS taper crimp dies and Berry's Bullets. My ammunition makes premium priced factory look kinda cheezy by comparison. My OAL's are within half the tolerance spread and the consistency of powder charge beats factory to death.

Have faith in yer RCBS dies and read the manual and adjust as specified - you'll get the same performance.

VooDoo

 

[gamestalker]

This ^^^

I've done the same thing, and IMO, noting that comes in a box compares to the quality what can produce with a standard RCBS or Lee 3 die set.

I wonder how in the world anyone ever managed before the inception of the FCD? Sorry for the sarcasm, but it is, what it is.

GS

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't use a Lee FCD because it's a FCD, I use it because it's a separate crimp die. If I were using RCBS dies I could just as easily have bought an additional seat/crimp die and used it to crimp alone. I chose Lee because the price is right, they have a die set that includes the additional crimp die for a very low price and the fact I'm using a Lee Pro Auto-Disk so their powder through expansion die works perfectly with my powder measure.

I especially like the FCD when loading semi-auto ammo where a taper crimp is applied.

 

[Potatohead]

We wont be mad at you if you use an FCD because it's an FCD.

 

[gamestalker]

I actually prefer Lee handgun die's over RCBS, because of the powder through die, and all 3 die's are a tad quicker to adjust also. From a quality stand point, RCBS might be a step up?

GS