What other dies do I need?
- Thread starter dfraser
- Start date
The set comes with a decapping/sizing and then a bullet seater/crimper. So basically unless you just want to neck size, a neck sizing die (go carbide, no lube needed for necksizing/pistol cases), and/or a universal decapping die if you want to wet tumble your brass. If you don't want to do either the 2 die set is enough to get you started.
Armored Metal
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A Lee Factory crimp die if you reload for a semi.
This is actually intended for my semi-autos. Where would a good place to purchase these 2 extra dies?
Regards,
x-reload.com is good, but try looking in the EE for a used set. You might get lucky and be able to get a 4 set lee set for like 45 bucks that includes neck sizer and factory crimp (as well as the FL sizer and seater/crimp)
Actually, the newer (last couple years) Lee seater dies no longer have asy crimping feature built into them. They are called "Dead Length" seater dies. I guess it's their way of getting people to purchase the Lee FCD. Even the 2 die sets now come with the dead length seater die. Sucks when you want to roll crimp a round like 35 Remington but the Pacesetter dies only have the FCD and the seater die no longer crimps. Other times, I just want to remove the flare out of the case mouth when loading cast and I find the FCD hard to do that with as sometimes with fat cast bullets and a flare, they won't fit inside the FCD collet.
Wholesale Sports, if you can stand the place, P&D by preference.
Neck sizing is covered in the instructions in the reloading manuals you should read. Outside the realm of pure target shooting, where an individual die, probably with interchangeable collets for specific sizes, is useful (and expensive), you neck size by adjusting your die correctly so it does not size the cartridge body or set back the shoulder.
Cheers
Trev
I never found it necessary to crimp for use in my semi auto 223 riifles, and most people choose to FL size, rather than neck size, for semi auto rifles.
For a bolt action rifle, neck sizing is good. Just don't screw the seater in all the way, and it will size the neck without touching the shoulder.
But, for a semi- you will want to FL size every time. Your die will do that.
If you use extruded powder (stick powder) I see no need to crimp. If your seater die has a crimp feature and if you are seating bullets with a crimping groove, no harm in giving it a touch of crimp.
If you are using ball powder, a crimp and a hot primer is a good idea, to promote 100% ignition. The Lee factory Crimp die is what I use when I load ball powder. It solved the fail to ignite issue I occasionally got.
I load a lot of 5.56 Here are 5,000 primed cases, waiting for the Dillon.
But, for a semi- you will want to FL size every time. Your die will do that.
If you use extruded powder (stick powder) I see no need to crimp. If your seater die has a crimp feature and if you are seating bullets with a crimping groove, no harm in giving it a touch of crimp.
If you are using ball powder, a crimp and a hot primer is a good idea, to promote 100% ignition. The Lee factory Crimp die is what I use when I load ball powder. It solved the fail to ignite issue I occasionally got.
I load a lot of 5.56 Here are 5,000 primed cases, waiting for the Dillon.
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With that much coffee mate and the corresponding amount of coffee what size groups do you shoot. With that much dopamine and adrenaline stimulation you must be loading and shooting machineguns.
I have trained my wife to not interfere or intervene when I am at the Blackjack table or at the loading bench. For the same reason. A distraction can be disastrous. (The dealer passed me by once and I had to stand on 13 because my wife had come by looking for another roll of quarters.)
So, sized and primed brass and ammo cans full of ammo are just indications of peace and quiet in my man cave.
But I do manage to get out shooting several times a week, as do some of the friends and family I load for.
Next weekend I am shooting a match with my son, grandson, wife and daughter-in-law. It is my grandson's first match (age 10).
He will be shooting a 223. It is only a 600 yards shoot, so the wind should not be too bad for him.
So, sized and primed brass and ammo cans full of ammo are just indications of peace and quiet in my man cave.
But I do manage to get out shooting several times a week, as do some of the friends and family I load for.
Next weekend I am shooting a match with my son, grandson, wife and daughter-in-law. It is my grandson's first match (age 10).
He will be shooting a 223. It is only a 600 yards shoot, so the wind should not be too bad for him.
