Question on Crimping Dies

[cache]

Is there an advantage to seating and crimping as two operations as opposed to to seating and crimping in one operation. I'm thinking about getting a die set and wondering if I should get a separate crimp die or use the bullet seater/crimp die.

[Amerflyer48]

Is there an advantage to seating and crimping as two operations as opposed to to seating and crimping in one operation. I'm thinking about getting a die set and wondering if I should get a separate crimp die or use the bullet seater/crimp die.

Yes and you should..

seating first crimping second is much better as the bullet has stopped moving in the case before being crimped and is deformed less

I believe it also leads to more consistent OAL but have yet to set up to run a test batch as I have always seated and crimped in 2 separate operations even my revolver cartridges

most seat / crimp dies roll crimp which isn't preferred in semi-auto cartridges they tend to like taper crimping,..the whole headspace on the case mouth having a sharper edge to set on vs. rolled edge

Hope this helps

John

[okshootist]

Separate operations also make case length variations less of a factor. A long case in a combination die can cause a bulge behind the case mouth. Set up is also easier.

[whistlepig]

You will have better ammo running two seperate operations. You did not say what kind of press you load on, but IMHO it applies even on a single stage.

[AnthonyL]

Same as everyone else, two separate operations, seat first then crimp. BTW, I'm really impressed with the Lee Factory Crimp Dies. Inexpensive and work extremely well on both rifle and pistol. I use them in conjunction with my Hornady die sets.

Edited April 20, 2011 by AnthonyL

[ttolliver]

Can I do seating and crimping in 2 operations with the same seating/criming die as long as I run the seating screw all the way in so that the crimp never comes in contact?

Thanks,

Tom