Lee Crushing Shoulder on .223 w/ 75gr. A-Max

SeamusMac

SeamusMac

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Hey all,

I'm looking for suggestions on which bullet seating die I should invest in to replace my Lee. As the title says, the Lee die doesn't allow me to completely close the press without crushing the shoulder of the casing and therefore my OAL is varying beyond tolerable limits...

I'm looking for a die, known to work with the specified projectile that is similarly priced.

Slainte!
 
I was also thinking that the setup was the problem so I tried it again... It should be noted that I'm using a Lee Hand Press, although I'm not sure it makes a difference. Raised the ram, screwed the die in until it made contact with the shell holder, advanced the die another 1/4 turn and locked it in - buckled shoulder.

In this case the instructions for setting up the die will cause it to crush casings so I had to back the die off from the face of the shell holder about 1mm to get the desired OAL.
 
I don't think Lee is crushing the shoulder. It sounds like you are setting up the seating die using the sizing die instruction. This results in the die being too low in the press making excessive crimp and crushing/buckling the case.

I would take a sized/trimmed case and put it in the shellholder and raise the ram (no die yet). Then thread the die into the press until it makes light contact with the shell (crimp portion inside die is touching top of shell). Back it out at least one turn then lock in place. I would then back out the seating stem and start seating a bullet in the empty case. Adjusting the stem you can seat deaper till you have it where you want it. You can now keep this dummy round to help you set the die the same next time you load this same bullet/round combo.
 
Oddly enough, the only difference between the instructions for setting up the sizing die and bullet seating die is that they suggest you can advance the sizing die as much as 1/3 of a turn into the press as opposed to 1/4 turn. Regardless, I had the same results with hk33ka1's method until... I tried my other bullet seating die, which I had just noticed had a different designation.

What's the difference between the "Lee 223 B-7" and "Lee 223 L-7"?
 
I have a set of instructions for Lee dies in front of me as I am writing this. You have miss read the instructions. Step 5 says Screw the seating die in until you feel it touch the CASE MOUTH. If no crimp is desired BACK the die out1/2 turn. If crimp is desired turn the die IN 1/4 turn.
You MUST have a case in the shell holder to adjust this die properly, you do NOT screw the seating die down to touch the shell holder. Good luck.
 
I have no idea what the difference is between the B-7 and L-7 dies. I doubt very much that this is related to your problem.
You are not going to be crimping the 75 AMAX, so:
Place a sized case in the press. Advance the ram all the way. Back off the seater stem. Screw in the die until you can just barely feel contact. Insert a bullet. Close the press. Check seating depth. Advance the seater stem until the bullet is seated to the desired depth.
This will probably resolve your problem.
Have you checked the overall length of your cases?
 
I have used my lee dies for loading 75grain amax with no issues , sounds like you not setting up your dies proper as others have said . If you want a crimp buy the lee factory crimp die
 
iceman2 said:
I have a set of instructions for Lee dies in front of me as I am writing this. You have miss read the instructions. Step 5 says Screw the seating die in until you feel it touch the CASE MOUTH. If no crimp is desired BACK the die out1/2 turn. If crimp is desired turn the die IN 1/4 turn.
You MUST have a case in the shell holder to adjust this die properly, you do NOT screw the seating die down to touch the shell holder. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I believe I know where the problem lies... and it's not in my ability to read lol. I'm reading instructions for the Lee Dead Length Bullet Seating Die while using what I believe to be the basic Lee Seating Die. The only visually apparent differences between the two are in the "L-7 vs. B-7" designations and length (0.014~) of the die body.

I was using the basic die thinking that it was my dead length die and therefore applying a shoulder crippling crimp to the casings. Being ignorant to the fact that Lee produces more than one type of bullet seating die was the biggest factor leading to my problem. Regardless, the method using an empty casing works perfectly for the basic seating die, which I am now using to load the casings sans crimp or crushed shoulders.

Thanks all for the instructions!
 
Seamus. They are correct. I just got back from the range. Shooting .223 75 gr Amax Moly coats. Just back out your seating die and you will be fine.

Oh. And yes I use a set of Lee dies.
 
I have done this too. Used the dead length seater instructions for a roll crimp seater. Destroyed three cases before figuring it out.

Now I re-read the intructions when swithing between calibres and dies just to make sure. My 223 and 303 set has ony a dead length seater and a factory crimp die. My 243 has the roll crimp seater and the factory crimp die too.
 
old enfields said:
I have done this too. Used the dead length seater instructions for a roll crimp seater. Destroyed three cases before figuring it out.

Now I re-read the intructions when swithing between calibres and dies just to make sure. My 223 and 303 set has ony a dead length seater and a factory crimp die. My 243 has the roll crimp seater and the factory crimp die too.
Click to expand...

Happens eh?
 
Way to many dies here, dead length, basic seating , B-7, L-7, factory crimp die....WTF?? With your bullet seating die, seat bullet and crimp in two operations until you get the hang of things, take the orig. 2 die set and set it aside, throw all remaining dies in the garbage. When you get comfortable with the process, you can buy some good competition dies from Redding or Forster.
 
Just a suggestion - stop and think about what a given die does, or is intended to do, and what you want to accomplish. Learn how it works. When the function of a die is understood, then setting it up for use will be straightforeward.
 
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