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Sport45 · March 29, 2011, 09:46 AM

Welcome to The Firing Line!

Most seating dies I've had set the crimp as well as seating the bullet and are not run in until they touch the shell holder.

Try this:

Put a sized case in the shell holder and run the ram all the way up. Screw the die body in until it contacts the top of the case and then back it out 1/4 turn and set the lock ring.

Back the seating plug WAY out. Put a loaded cartridge in the shell holder and then run the ram all the way up. Screw the seating plug in until it firrmly contacts the bullet in the loaded round.

Your seating die is now set up to seat to the same OAL (base to ogive, really) as the loaded round without applying a crimp. Adjust the seating plug up or down as needed.

If you want a crimp (I can't imagine any .308 needing one, even M1A), back out the seating plug after getting the OAL where you want it and screw the die body in 1/4 turn at a time until the desired crimp is achieved. Then screw the seating plug back in to contact the bullet when the ram is up.

March 29, 2011, 09:46 AM	#2
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Welcome to The Firing Line! Most seating dies I've had set the crimp as well as seating the bullet and are not run in until they touch the shell holder. Try this: Put a sized case in the shell holder and run the ram all the way up. Screw the die body in until it contacts the top of the case and then back it out 1/4 turn and set the lock ring. Back the seating plug WAY out. Put a loaded cartridge in the shell holder and then run the ram all the way up. Screw the seating plug in until it firrmly contacts the bullet in the loaded round. Your seating die is now set up to seat to the same OAL (base to ogive, really) as the loaded round without applying a crimp. Adjust the seating plug up or down as needed. If you want a crimp (I can't imagine any .308 needing one, even M1A), back out the seating plug after getting the OAL where you want it and screw the die body in 1/4 turn at a time until the desired crimp is achieved. Then screw the seating plug back in to contact the bullet when the ram is up. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.