Kepo Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 (edited) Hey guys what would be the best reloading dies to get to reload 9mm major on a single stage press? Is there a certain crimp die that should be used, 4 or 3 die set? Im going to be reolading hollow points or cmjs, no lead or coated bullets. Im just getting started with 9mm major, I have reloaded for rifles, pistols, and shotguns, but i wanna take it slow before I get a dillon progressive. Thanks, Dave Edited December 27, 2015 by Kepo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherwyn Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I feel the main thing would be a Lee/EGW undersize resizer. Then a micrometer style seating die and a taper crimp die. Sherwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Open1215 Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 (edited) I use regular lee dies. They work well. I did the single stage too. It will drive you crazy. If you have a progressive press don't waste your $ on buying a single stage. Just go slow and use a load latter. Check with a chrono. What are you planning on using? 115g 124g? What powders do you have/or plan on using? What will you be loading for? Glock vs 2011 has a big difference in oal and that will also affect velocity. Edited December 27, 2015 by Open1215 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob DuBois Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Lee first stage sizing die, Dillon powder through die, Lee seating die and a Dillon crimp die. Don't care for the Lee FCD as it can affect accuracy. I was designed to be used for Lee Tumble Lube Bullets. Not jacketed bullets. If you use the same bullet for a few bucks you can send the bullet to Lee and they will cut you a seating die insert for that bullet. The seater has a knob on top to make small adjustments. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepo Posted December 27, 2015 Author Share Posted December 27, 2015 It seems most use wac or hs6 powder so that is what i will be using, and 124 grain bullets. I will be reloading it only for my sti dvc open, I do not have a chronograph, and was going to ask around and see what some other guys are using for that gun. Right now im using atlanta arms major 147gr hp that are 1.175". One load I saw was 6.7gr of autocomp 124gr pd hp @ 1.160" oal with 168pf. I do not shoot competition yet. I am going to take a few classes with a local GM first. As far as a progressive press I really dont feel that confident with them for something like this. My dillon sl900 shotshell reloader has nothing but problems, constantly chasing things on the press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Open1215 Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I have a 650 and have loved it from the moment I got it. I had a lee single stage for a year or so because it was all I could afford. It drove me nuts and I had a TON of set back issues ( I almost blew up my gun) missing one. I use hs-6 under a 115g. It works very well. It feels the same to me as 3n38 side by side and the same pf. It's a bit dirtier, it's also 1/2 the price. I would recommend a 650 to anyone. If you do go on a single stage watch OAL and CHECK EVERY LOAD FOR SETBACK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwray Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Wac is much cleaner on the gun than his-6. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Open1215 Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I prefer HS-6 over WAC for comp working. Side by side I get better dot tracking with HS-6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 (edited) Back to the original question. I prefer LEE or EGW undersized sizing die because some brass has thinner case walls and won't always hold hard jacketed bullets in place. You're already way outside the envelope with 9MAJOR so there's no room for potential setback issues. BUT standard LEE sizer is fine 90% of the time. I spent good money on the much hyped micrometer seating die only to find out it wasn't as consistant as a plain old seating die. Even if it worked as advertised all the time it's just overkill for what we load for. I originally bought Dillon dies when I bought my press but soon learned they are nothing special for the cost. You will be very well served by a set of LEE dies. And someday if you move up to a progressive press put the LEE dies in it. Edited to add: eventually you'll want to run your ammo through a chrono but I like 7.2 WAC with MG 124JHP @1.165 or 7.8 WAC with MG 115 JHP @ 1.165. Both loads are 172 PF out of my gun Edited December 27, 2015 by Sarge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilBunniFuFu Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Get a 650 sooner rather than later. U-die with any other carbide die set works. A chrono is a very good idea at major PF since every gun is different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Open1215 Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Definitely get a chrono! That's a must have. You will want 200-300 rounds for a match. Depending on the round count. It will take a long time to load that many. It takes me about 20 min on my 650. It took me an hour for 100 on my single stage... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bkreutz Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 With 9 major, a chrono is not optional. You're running past the ragged edge, not worth the risk. If you want to use a single stage, that's up to you, no difference, it just takes longer. I used all Dillon dies for a long time but changed to a EGW/Lee undersized die a year ago. I get a better percentage of rounds passing the case gauge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newtoreloading Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Go right to the 550 or 650. I started on a 550 love it First 9mm then moved to 45 acp. Next up 223. Saves time and money plus a lee under size die would be the only change from my limited experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slostang Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 I'm using a full set of Lee carbide dies for 9maj and have been very very happy with them. I am not seating and crimping with the seating die, using two stations for that. As others have said you NEED a chrono with 9maj and for sure start low and work up watching for pressure signs with the brass / primers. According to what I've seen I have a bit of a fast barrel for my load. 124gr xtreme HPCB 7.9gr HS-6 Fed sp primers Mixed brass 1.160" ~1400fps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerBaron Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 If you're worried about complexity and problems get a lee classic turret. I'd suggest lee 4 die set and lee auto drum powder measure (the new one). Also get the lee riser and lee safety prime. Now you still only have one case at a time on the press but the loading happens sequentially rather than in batches as in a single stage. Lee size die in station 1. Lee powder through expander and lee auto drum in station 2 Lee seat/crimp die in station 3 but set up high so it's not crimping. Lee factory crimp die in station 4 (it will not touch bullets up to 356. If using lead sized 357 then yes it may cause issues). With this setup just one thing happens at a time. The press is very basic so easy to setup and use. When comfortable you'll be able to run 300 an hour easily which is 3 times faster than single stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slostang Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 If you're worried about complexity and problems get a lee classic turret. I'd suggest lee 4 die set and lee auto drum powder measure (the new one). Also get the lee riser and lee safety prime. Now you still only have one case at a time on the press but the loading happens sequentially rather than in batches as in a single stage. Lee size die in station 1. Lee powder through expander and lee auto drum in station 2 Lee seat/crimp die in station 3 but set up high so it's not crimping. Lee factory crimp die in station 4 (it will not touch bullets up to 356. If using lead sized 357 then yes it may cause issues). With this setup just one thing happens at a time. The press is very basic so easy to setup and use. When comfortable you'll be able to run 300 an hour easily which is 3 times faster than single stage. That's the exact setup I bought when I first got into reloading (minus the drum, that's a new addition) and I'm still using it 30k rounds later. For what it is I don't think there's a better deal out there. I'm outgrowing it these days and will be moving into a 650 very soon, but my LCT will have its own corner for load development. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD45 Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 Please don't compare Dillion's shots hell loader to their other presses. I've never met a shotgunner that even has one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepo Posted December 28, 2015 Author Share Posted December 28, 2015 Please don't compare Dillion's shots hell loader to their other presses. I've never met a shotgunner that even has one. I know, their metallic presses have to be way better. Wish i would of bought the spoolar gold! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepo Posted December 28, 2015 Author Share Posted December 28, 2015 Thank you all for the great info. Looks like im going to go with what Beerbaron and Slostang suggested. I dont need to reload thousands of rounds a month I think the lee turret will fit my needs perfectly, the price is right and I still need to buy more mags, a ced pro chrono, and a rig. Thanks, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepo Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 (edited) Okay so i got my dies and press. I set up the u size die and the through die powder die per the lee instructions. I set the seat die to a depth of when I can feel it make contact with the case bell when the ram is up as I screw the die in. No crimp, confirmed with calipers. I intend to do a wipe test for the factory crimp die, when I get my bullets and powder. Does this all sound correct? When I resize the brass the outside diameter of the case mouth is .370" and then when I bell it it is .375". Is this enough flare to the case for a 124gr pd hp (3.55" dia)? Also looking at the hodgdon data they show a 124gr berb hbrn tp @ 1.150" oal with 6 gr of hs6 and cci 500 primers, would it be safe to start at this load for my load ladder to make major with the precision delta 124 gr hp loaded @ 1.165" going 2/10 th of a grain per string? Thanks, Dave Edited January 7, 2016 by Kepo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerBaron Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 All sounds good to me in terms of your die setup. As far as powder goes look up some 9major loads on the forum with hs6. I don't use that load so can't help but book loads are often way conservative when it comes to 9 major. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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