357sig and Lee FCD

mustang_52 · November 6, 2006, 11:49 AM

I've been playing around with this die for a couple days now and I can't seem to get any crimp out of it. Im using a 550b and im to the point where I barely do any belling to seat the 125gr montana gold bullets so I can get as much neck tension as possible. I followed the directions as they say to screw the die till it just touches the shellplate, then halfturn more. Ive done that and ive even gone as far as camming over and i see now evidence of any crimp ring or anything. Could it be a defective die or something? One other thing I found not clear in the instructions is when they say screw die to touch the shellplate, there is some slack in the bottom of the die, so im not sure if they want me to screw the die till it stops or what. anyways, any help would be appreciated.

rwilson452 · November 6, 2006, 12:18 PM

With that die I suggest you keep screwing it in 1/4 turn per try until you get the desired crimp. one assumes you have the die for the correct 357 as in 357 vs 357sig. Different dies as I recall

**Unclenick** · November 6, 2006, 12:31 PM

I don't know if the .357 SIG FC die works like a rifle FC die or a pistol FC die? In the latter case, you touch the die body down on the shell plate to get the OD sizing ring correctly positioned. The knob on top adjusts the crimp independently of the die body position. You adjust it by puting a sized case with no bullet into the die and turning the crimp knob down until you feel it stop on the case neck. That will be deep enough to just start a crimp with a bullet in place and swelling the neck diameter a little. You will then turn the top knob deeper to get addtional crimp, but not the die body.

Nick

mustang_52 · November 6, 2006, 12:56 PM

the sig die is a little different from the straight wall dies. it doesnt have an adjustment knob on top. ill try again but ive tried everything all the way down so it cammed over and nothing.

Peter M. Eick · November 6, 2006, 07:53 PM

I have the die and love it. One of the few FCD's I really like.

You have to cam it over a bunch. Like an 1/8" to 1/4" or so. Just start with a dummy round ready to be crimped. Raise the ram and screw the die down till it can't easily be turned. Now back the ram off an inch or so and screw the die down another 1/2 turn. Raise the ram, then lower it. Did you crimp yet? Probably not. repeat the process of 1/2 a turn till you start to crimp. Then go to 1/8 a turn till you get it right.

Trust me when I say you can ram the brass right into the bullet if you try to!

November 6, 2006, 11:49 AM	#1
mustang_52 Junior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: North Wales, PA Posts: 11	357sig and Lee FCD I've been playing around with this die for a couple days now and I can't seem to get any crimp out of it. Im using a 550b and im to the point where I barely do any belling to seat the 125gr montana gold bullets so I can get as much neck tension as possible. I followed the directions as they say to screw the die till it just touches the shellplate, then halfturn more. Ive done that and ive even gone as far as camming over and i see now evidence of any crimp ring or anything. Could it be a defective die or something? One other thing I found not clear in the instructions is when they say screw die to touch the shellplate, there is some slack in the bottom of the die, so im not sure if they want me to screw the die till it stops or what. anyways, any help would be appreciated.

November 6, 2006, 12:18 PM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	Lee FCD With that die I suggest you keep screwing it in 1/4 turn per try until you get the desired crimp. one assumes you have the die for the correct 357 as in 357 vs 357sig. Different dies as I recall

November 6, 2006, 12:31 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	I don't know if the .357 SIG FC die works like a rifle FC die or a pistol FC die? In the latter case, you touch the die body down on the shell plate to get the OD sizing ring correctly positioned. The knob on top adjusts the crimp independently of the die body position. You adjust it by puting a sized case with no bullet into the die and turning the crimp knob down until you feel it stop on the case neck. That will be deep enough to just start a crimp with a bullet in place and swelling the neck diameter a little. You will then turn the top knob deeper to get addtional crimp, but not the die body. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 6, 2006, 07:53 PM	#5
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	I have the die and love it. One of the few FCD's I really like. You have to cam it over a bunch. Like an 1/8" to 1/4" or so. Just start with a dummy round ready to be crimped. Raise the ram and screw the die down till it can't easily be turned. Now back the ram off an inch or so and screw the die down another 1/2 turn. Raise the ram, then lower it. Did you crimp yet? Probably not. repeat the process of 1/2 a turn till you start to crimp. Then go to 1/8 a turn till you get it right. Trust me when I say you can ram the brass right into the bullet if you try to! __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!

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November 6, 2006, 12:56 PM	#4
mustang_52 Junior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: North Wales, PA Posts: 11	the sig die is a little different from the straight wall dies. it doesnt have an adjustment knob on top. ill try again but ive tried everything all the way down so it cammed over and nothing.