EGW/Lee Undersized Sizing Die Q

[Rimcrew]

I'm having problems with the 9mm EGW undersized die and am hoping someone can tell me how to fix them.

First off, it doesn't seem long enough to work in the 650 toolhead. I can only get about 1 - 1 1/2 threads to engaged on the locking nut due to the short die length. I called and they told me to put the locking nut on the bottom. Ok, but there are the same number of threads on the top of the TH as there are on the bottom, so that didn't help. I can't see a solution, but maybe I am missing it...

Secondly, the die seems to size tigher at the top than the bottom - there is about a 20 thou difference from the top of the sized shell to the bottom, not a problem, but the die doesn't size down as far as my RCBS dies do, and the bottom is the critical area that really needs the sizing help.

The ring around the brass is also not uniform at the bottom. It is higher on two sides than it is on the other two sides. Kind of looks like a sin wave as you turn the case.

Not sure if I got an out-of-spec die, I'm an idiot who should use factory ammo, or both; but any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[FishingFool]

I use the same die on the 650. Utilize a dillon lock nut in top.

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[FishingFool]

I'll check my die to see if it looks the same but that does sound weird.

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[DWFAN]

Mine has the lock ring issue on my Hornady press as well. I have to keep an eye on it, but it usually stays put, even with just a little bit of tension. An alternative would be to pick up some spare Hornady lock rings, they look thinner, and would hold by clamp, instead of o-ring pressure.

Is there a measurable difference between the bases of the U-die and your RCBS die sized brass ?

I've never noticed/worried about the difference top to bottom since the 9mm is tapered. My tension/set back issues went away when I started using this die.

[Pop N Fresh]

I have a few udies and they can all be set hard on the shellplate with the nut on the top. Don't be afraid to to only have a thread or so engaged with the nut.

It should size farther down than the rcbs though, could the die be tilting as you size because it's not being held in the toolhead tight enough? Making sure you run the die all the way down to the shellplate would stop that I would think.

On a side note, why the undersized die on a 9mm? I used to use one on 9mm but have stopped and went back to a dillon (used to use an rcbs without issue as well.)

[Steve RA]

9mm cases are tapered, not straight wall, so they should be bigger toward the bottom than the top.

[Sarge]

Yeah, you need to use a Dillon ring to make it work on the 650 without concern.

As for why the Udie in 9mm? I use it because FC and Speer brass are thinner and was having set back issues while using a Dillon sizer. The Udie stops that completely. Shooting MAJOR 9 I don't want to have to worry about piddly stuff.

[98sr20ve]

Dillon will have the same engagement as the Dillon. It just looks nicer because it's smaller.

[Rimcrew]

Thanks all. I used the Dillon nut on top and it seems to be working well now - maybe because there is no orilng in it like the Lee. Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

The EGW/Lee die does re-size down a wee bit further than the Dillon does, and I'm hoping that will reduce the occurrence of rounds not case gaging properly. Maybe not, but it makes me feel better...

[98sr20ve]

For the others reading this, just flip the Lee lock ring over. Problem solved.

[procovert45]

Cowboy logic (;