I've just started to reload and I reloaded some dummy rounds (9mm & 40S&W).The 9mm bullets ended up being seated way too deep and the 40S&W bullet ended up not being seated enough. I'm using the Lee Challenger Press with Lee carbide dies. What am I doing wrong? Do I have to play around with both bullet seating dies until I get it just perfect? The instructions that came with the Lee Anniversary Kit and Die sets don't help at all. It says to tighten the die enough so it touches the cartridge holder, and then spin it off three turns; well that didn't work.
Newbie needs help
- Thread starter awsomeo
- Start date
If u have any factory rounds remaining try this. Firstly, back off the depth seating screw and then place the factory round in the shell holder and install seating/crimping die, then tighten the die down until it touches solidly with the charging arm in the full down position. Then screw down the depth seating screw until it also touches the top of the factory round. You will definately be in the ball park and just require minor tweeking from there(crimping pressure). If u need to add crimp by tightening the die, you may have to back off the depth seating screw a little, but not always. It will also change if you use a different style of bullet but you wont be too far off at all.
Its not that hard once you do it once or twice but it really helps to have a factory round to work with.
Take your time and dont get too agressive with the procedure.
You'll be fine.
Cheers
dB
** I was too busy replying to see the above response. Absolutely visit the Lee sight as its instruction videos are very helpful
Its not that hard once you do it once or twice but it really helps to have a factory round to work with.
Take your time and dont get too agressive with the procedure.
You'll be fine.
Cheers
dB
** I was too busy replying to see the above response. Absolutely visit the Lee sight as its instruction videos are very helpful
Dude, back the die out, raise the Ram fully without a shell in the shellholder and spin the die down till it stops on the shellholder. Then back the die out 3 turns and lock it in positon.
THEN: Leave the die locked and twist the aluminium knob on the top till you get the correct seating depth. This top knob is the main depth adjuster, not screwing the die in and out(that usually adjusts crimp.)
THEN: Leave the die locked and twist the aluminium knob on the top till you get the correct seating depth. This top knob is the main depth adjuster, not screwing the die in and out(that usually adjusts crimp.)
I have the same setup (press/dies)
the alluminum 'turn' knob at the top of the seating die constols the overall langth (seating depth), so just turn it to the left to bring it up (all the way) and than simply turn in right 1/2-1 turns and seat the bullet, than measure the OAL if too long go it again till you get the right OAL
the alluminum 'turn' knob at the top of the seating die constols the overall langth (seating depth), so just turn it to the left to bring it up (all the way) and than simply turn in right 1/2-1 turns and seat the bullet, than measure the OAL if too long go it again till you get the right OAL
"...Do I have to play around with both bullet seating dies until I get it just perfect?..." Yep. Both cartridges have a different OAL. You'll have to adjust both crimping dies too. Taper crimping is better.
"...then spin it off three turns..." That's too much. The dies, all of 'em, should be in far enough for the shell holder to just kiss the bottom of the die when the ram is all the way up. Then lock the die and adjust seating depth with the seating rod. Using a factory round isn't a bad idea to get started.
There are different seaters for different bullet shapes too. For example, there's one for a round nosed bullet, one for a flat nosed bullet and one for a pointed bullet. Use the wrong one and you can get a different seating depth and OAL. They should have come with the die set. Just remember that every time you change the seater, you'll have to set up the seating depth again.
"...then spin it off three turns..." That's too much. The dies, all of 'em, should be in far enough for the shell holder to just kiss the bottom of the die when the ram is all the way up. Then lock the die and adjust seating depth with the seating rod. Using a factory round isn't a bad idea to get started.
There are different seaters for different bullet shapes too. For example, there's one for a round nosed bullet, one for a flat nosed bullet and one for a pointed bullet. Use the wrong one and you can get a different seating depth and OAL. They should have come with the die set. Just remember that every time you change the seater, you'll have to set up the seating depth again.
