Stupid Dillon - non Dillon Dies question

[dmftoy1]

If you're using a non-dillon 3 die set say from RCBS and have the following dies:

1. Resize/Decap
2. Expander
3. Seat/Crimp

Do you need to buy another Seat/Crimp die so that you can seat and crimp on separate steps or do you just operate with 3 stations on the dillon instead of the 4? (eg. Stage 1 - Resize/Decap, Stage 2 - Powder Charge/Expand, Stage 3 - Seat/Crimp)

Just curious what most people did. When I had a Dillon 550 15 years ago I only had their die sets so I think I had a separate seating and crimping die if I remember right.

Any and all advice appreciated.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[SnWnMe]

You can buy a Lee FCD for your 4th stage. Then you only set your seat/crimp to seat only.

 

[ftierson]

What SnWnMe says...

 

[Jim Watson]

If you are loading revolver ammo, just use two dies - sizer and seater. The seater will crimp revolver bullets with groove or cannelure just fine. You will not use the RCBS expander, that is done by the Dillon "powder funnel."

If you are loading autopistol ammo, get a taper crimp or Lee CFC for the 4th station.

 

[dmftoy1]

Thanks guys.

Merry Christmas!!

 

[Reed1911]

Really it's going to depend on your ammunition. For autoloaders if you are not getting any setback (where the bullet seats further into the case during chambering) or if you are not using slow powder then there is really no reason to crimp. For revolvers it's a personal choice I think. For low to mid-range loads I just use the seat/crimp die. But when you get into the full power stuff I've found that the crimp die will give a more consistant crimp without crushing the case.

 

[SASS#23149]

The reason i use a seperate crimp die is that it does not shave lead or jacket material like the seat/crimp dies can.Keeps gunk buildup to a minimum.makes resetting the depth or crimp easier too....just one adjusment to make instead of two.I did this back in my single-stage days too.