22h2 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 has anyone had luck setting up a taper and crimp die using coated bullets? I always damage damage the bullet. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncie21 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 (edited) Lee markets two different Factory Crimp Dies (FCD) one for pistol calibers and another for rifle calibers. The design of the dies is also very different. These two factors (perhaps there are others also) leads to a lot of confusion when crimp dies are discussed, especially the Lee brand. Rifle FCD Pistol FCD Edited September 20, 2020 by muncie21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
22h2 Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 thanks Muncie, I'm using the RCBS die and its one die that crimps and seats, but apparently it crimps before it seat. using coated bullets or lead it makes it very difficult and so far impossible to make sure it is done correctly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncie21 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 (edited) @22h most seating dies that I've used can also be adjusted to crimp/de-bell/remove taper in the same station. While this can be done, it's more straight forward/simple to seat in one station and remove the bell/crimp in a separate station. Since I seat and crimp/de-bell in two station, I really can't help with your specific issue. There are people that do this, so don't give up hope, it may just take some time as most folks I know use 2 separate stations for these activities. Good luck! Edited September 20, 2020 by muncie21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
22h2 Posted September 21, 2020 Author Share Posted September 21, 2020 thanks Muncie, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 If you want to seat and crimp with one die. You have to about it in a roundabout way. First back the die body out till it will not crimp. Seat 10/20 bullets into cases at your length. Then remove the seating assembly. How start lowering the die body till you get the crimp you desire. Lockdown the die. Reinstall the seating assembly using the remaining seated rounds . How try a new case to seat and crimp at the same time. It's best to use two dies but it can be done with one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
22h2 Posted September 21, 2020 Author Share Posted September 21, 2020 Hey Ahi, I have done that process but apparently the Rcbs die crimps before final seating it creates a ring around the bullet, it’s only with lead or coated, the jacket bullets are fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 that's why we recommend two dies .one to seat. one to crimp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 10 hours ago, 22h2 said: Hey Ahi, I have done that process but apparently the Rcbs die crimps before final seating it creates a ring around the bullet, it’s only with lead or coated, the jacket bullets are fine. Back entire die out a 1/4 turn, then screw the seater in a 1/2 turn. Check ur OAL at that point. Also, are you using bullets with a crimp groove or smooth wall. Seems like the 1 die method would go better with bullets with the groove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
22h2 Posted September 21, 2020 Author Share Posted September 21, 2020 Thanks Joe4d, I will try this, my process was seat the bullet, back the seat stem off, developed crimp then use the existing cartridge to adjust the oal, it works well with that cartridge but the next one not so much. I’m loading on a rl550 thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 buy a Lee seat die for station 3 , Use your existing combo die in station 4 to just taper crimp. You are gonna spend more time fighting this than it is worth. Then redo fight when you change bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
22h2 Posted September 22, 2020 Author Share Posted September 22, 2020 i agree joe4d i was trying to use my bullet feeder but i dont think its going to work lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slayer61 Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 On 9/20/2020 at 5:31 PM, AHI said: If you want to seat and crimp with one die. You have to about it in a roundabout way. First back the die body out till it will not crimp. Seat 10/20 bullets into cases at your length. Then remove the seating assembly. How start lowering the die body till you get the crimp you desire. Lockdown the die. Reinstall the seating assembly using the remaining seated rounds . How try a new case to seat and crimp at the same time. It's best to use two dies but it can be done with one. This is the answer, right here. It actually takes longer to explain than it does to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 The newer seat/crimp dies seem to have a much longer taper on them than the older (80’s) dies. The older ones did the taper crimp at about the last .100 -.200 of ram stroke whereas the newer ones are more of a gentle taper right at the start. It makes for better alignment but also makes single seat/crimp more difficult. At least that’s what I’ve found between my old and newer dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bimmer Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 On 9/20/2020 at 4:24 PM, muncie21 said: ... it's more straight forward/simple to seat in one station and remove the bell/crimp in a separate station... Amen to this. I did tens of thousands of rounds of .40 S&W with RCBS dies. They worked fine, but I always found it a PITA to make adjustments, and the lube on lead bullets constantly jammed up the seating die and then changed my seating depth, and cleaning it was another PITA. I went to Dillon dies and never looked back... I sold my RCBS dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HesedTech Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 This thread is getting old, but since it has been given new life I found one combination dies which can seat and taper crimp. Hornady: https://www.hornady.com/reloading/dies/custom-grade-dies#!/ I personally don't combine the two, but this die when set up correctly can taper crimp without mashing the coating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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