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Question about lee factor crimp die?

2K views 11 replies 11 participants last post by  billy 
#1 ·
Several months ago I purchased a 4 lee die set for my 45 colt and a few weeks later a set for my 357. I was under the impression that the carbide collar was suppose to size the case back down to factory spec. after using the expander die and the bullet seat die. I have loaded maybe 150 rounds using a medium crimp without a problem. The other day I loaded up 40 rounds and went to the range only to find none would chamber. Returned home and took the factory crimp die out of box and found I could push loaded round completely into die with slight push. Used a lee tapered crimp die and they chambered like normal, went to range and fired them with no problem. Tonight I was going to reload some more up but decided to see what they did in factory die before I resized them. They dropped right into the factory crimp die. Tried the same with 357 factory crimp die and 357 fired cases and they could not be pushed into the factory crimp die. The carbide collar looks good, the only change I made was I lightened the crimp up very slightly. Has anyone else had a problem like this? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
#2 ·
I suggest you contact Lee.

I have Lee Factory Crimp Dies for every caliber I reload. They all work as advertised.
 
#4 ·
Occasionally Lee lets a bad die out the door. My shooting buddy and I have both gotten bad dies. Notify Lee, and they will send a new one.
 
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#7 ·
I am a bit confused by your description but, I'm easily confused anyway. :). You may simply need to readjust your factory crimp dies. You should be using a roll crimp on your .45 Colt as well as your .38/.357 cartridges. Taper crimps are used on rimless pistol cases.
 
#8 ·
I have zero lee crimp die thingy's.
I been making ammo that works 100% of the time every single time for 40 years without one.

I'm not gonna pay them for a screwed up carbide size die ring they were too cheap to send to the recyclers.
 
#9 ·
I have two lee factory crimp dies and they work as advertised. I had thought about buying more but honestly my Redding or RCBS dies crimping after seating has worked just fine. The two I have are for .223 and 38/357.
 
#10 ·
Heck, if you adjust the Lee seating dies correctly, THEY crimp them. A factory crimp die is better when all the cases are NOT the exact same length. But who wants to trim their cases every single time they are reloaded so you can crimp with the seating die?.
 
#11 ·
I only use the Lee FC die for .223Rem and 7.62X51 I use for semiauto rifles. Never found them necessary in other calibers.
 
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