Lee bullet seating die Question

areandare · December 21, 2006, 06:43 PM

Hello I am very new to reloading and appreciate your help.I just loaded some rounds in 357 and went to put them in the revolver and they are to tight and will not fit. I guessed that the crimp on the die needing adjusting (tighter), so I screwed it in further but after getting a good crimp and seat on the bullet I will have one that works and then one wont never consistant. The die is seated and nut tightened down securelly, just wanted any suggestions on what I am doing wrong.
Thanks

Edward429451 · December 21, 2006, 07:09 PM

What bullets and brass are you using? I had the exact problem you describe, and it turned out to be my lead gas checked bullet was bulging the +P case, which was thicker higher up the sides than a standard case. I was loading 38 special though. Dunno if this is your problem but hopefully it helps, or at least eliminates a possibility for you...

redhawk41 · December 21, 2006, 08:06 PM

Try seating and crimping in separate steps until you get a feel for what you are doing. I found it best to practice on unprimed/uncharged brass until I was comfortable with the process and results. You can always pull the bullets and reuse them later.

To set your seating die for bullet seating:

1) Put a sized and expanded case in the shell-holder and run the case into the seating die (don't screw the die down to far before doing this).
2) Screw the seating die in until you feel the crimp shoulder of the die contact the edge of the brass, then unscrew slightly (1/2 turn). Make sure you have pushed the ram up as far as it goes.
3) Set bullet seating depth using seating stem adjustment.

To crimp:

1) Remove seating stem
2) As above screw die down to contact the brass, then tighten slightly (1/4 turn)
3) Run seated cartridge into die and adjust crimp as necessary. Don't crimp too much.

Once you have the crimp set you can then run a seated cartridge into the die and screw the seating stem back in until it contacts the bullet to seat and crimp in a single step.

areandare · December 21, 2006, 09:34 PM

I am using winchester cases and lead swc bullets. I am going to try all the tips, thanks.

The Real Wyatt · December 21, 2006, 10:41 PM

Definitely agree on the separate seating and crimping stages.
The Lee Factory Crimp Die does a resizing as well 'cause the crimping can "swell" the case below the crimp. The Lee FCD compensates for that.

benedict1 · December 21, 2006, 10:42 PM

Why are you not using the Lee Factory Crimp Die? That would solve your problems quickly. I use it on everything, especially on .357 Mag. It takes all the mystery out of crimping and post-sizing. Everything chambers and shoots and case length variations cause zero problems.

areandare · December 22, 2006, 09:08 AM

The die that I am using is the one that came with the die kit (three total). I tried the suggestions and sometimes ill get it perfect and it will slide right in then the next one wont fit at all...Is their another die I can buy to make this whole process easier?? Thanks

redhawk41 · December 22, 2006, 09:28 AM

You are fine with the equipment you currently have. Reloading is not a complicated process but there is a learning curve that one must traverse to become proficient.

First, how far did you screw in the seating die to achieve your crimp? Too much crimp can bulge the case slightly.

Is the brass new? Are you trimming with the lock stud and pilot? New brass will most likely vary in length which can effect the crimping operation using the bullet seating die.

How much flare are you putting on the case mouth with the expander die? Excessive flare can also effect the finished round.

Compare the rounds that chamber with the rounds that won't. Are there any obvious differences? How about when you compare them with your calipers?

Try some cartridges without crimping. How do they chamber?

amamnn · December 22, 2006, 05:35 PM

If you are "swelling" your bullets using the LFC die you are putting way too much pressure on the handle. A light touch on the crimper will do you a lot better job. All you are trying to do is pinch the brass into the cannelure a bit.

HSMITH · December 23, 2006, 12:06 AM

Are the bullets seating straight? Most of the time this is the problem. Look into the seating die, is the round nose profile there or the flat tip profile? If the recess is round pull the seating stem out and see if you can turn it over to get a flat point type profile on the seating stem.

Just enough crimp to see the case turn into the bullet is all that is needed, no more.

You can buy a factory crimp die and just smash the bullet and case back into shape so they will all chamber and shoot or you can figure out what the problem is. Up to you.

areandare · December 23, 2006, 12:13 AM

Ok, I just fixed the one's from earlier. I believe I had too much flare and crimp(a combo problem) and they now work great! Thanks for all of your tips and suggestions it really helped allot.

JJB2 · December 25, 2006, 03:28 PM

i actually use two lee speed dies to reload with... i first got my .357 mag speed die and then ordered a .38 spl die body with locking rings and a custom bullet seater... i sent a sample bullet to lee and they made a custom seater stem for me to use... i reload off two presses at a time with this setup..... the seating and crimping stages are done seperately.... utilizing all the dies and two presses i can make lots of variations of reloading steps. it's kinda fun!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS................

swmike · December 26, 2006, 10:43 PM

One other thought and it pertains to the pistol, not the reloading process. Have you shot any 38 spl's in your .357. It is possible to build up some carbon in the cylinder that might cause a 357 cartridge to feel tight. A good cleaning of the cylinder is all it takes to correct the issue.

DonR101395 · December 26, 2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Why are you not using the Lee Factory Crimp Die? That would solve your problems quickly. I use it on everything, especially on .357 Mag. It takes all the mystery out of crimping and post-sizing. Everything chambers and shoots and case length variations cause zero problems.

I tried it when I bought 44 mag dies and then bought one for each of my other die sets. It takes the experimenting out of the equation.

December 21, 2006, 06:43 PM	#1
areandare Member Join Date: October 15, 2006 Posts: 37	Lee bullet seating die Question Hello I am very new to reloading and appreciate your help.I just loaded some rounds in 357 and went to put them in the revolver and they are to tight and will not fit. I guessed that the crimp on the die needing adjusting (tighter), so I screwed it in further but after getting a good crimp and seat on the bullet I will have one that works and then one wont never consistant. The die is seated and nut tightened down securelly, just wanted any suggestions on what I am doing wrong. Thanks

December 21, 2006, 08:06 PM	#3
redhawk41 Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2005 Location: Red Desert Posts: 819	Try seating and crimping in separate steps until you get a feel for what you are doing. I found it best to practice on unprimed/uncharged brass until I was comfortable with the process and results. You can always pull the bullets and reuse them later. To set your seating die for bullet seating: 1) Put a sized and expanded case in the shell-holder and run the case into the seating die (don't screw the die down to far before doing this). 2) Screw the seating die in until you feel the crimp shoulder of the die contact the edge of the brass, then unscrew slightly (1/2 turn). Make sure you have pushed the ram up as far as it goes. 3) Set bullet seating depth using seating stem adjustment. To crimp: 1) Remove seating stem 2) As above screw die down to contact the brass, then tighten slightly (1/4 turn) 3) Run seated cartridge into die and adjust crimp as necessary. Don't crimp too much. Once you have the crimp set you can then run a seated cartridge into the die and screw the seating stem back in until it contacts the bullet to seat and crimp in a single step. __________________ {empty thought cloud}

December 21, 2006, 10:42 PM	#6
benedict1 Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 245	Factory Crimp Die from Lee Why are you not using the Lee Factory Crimp Die? That would solve your problems quickly. I use it on everything, especially on .357 Mag. It takes all the mystery out of crimping and post-sizing. Everything chambers and shoots and case length variations cause zero problems.

December 22, 2006, 09:28 AM	#8
redhawk41 Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2005 Location: Red Desert Posts: 819	You are fine with the equipment you currently have. Reloading is not a complicated process but there is a learning curve that one must traverse to become proficient. First, how far did you screw in the seating die to achieve your crimp? Too much crimp can bulge the case slightly. Is the brass new? Are you trimming with the lock stud and pilot? New brass will most likely vary in length which can effect the crimping operation using the bullet seating die. How much flare are you putting on the case mouth with the expander die? Excessive flare can also effect the finished round. Compare the rounds that chamber with the rounds that won't. Are there any obvious differences? How about when you compare them with your calipers? Try some cartridges without crimping. How do they chamber? __________________ {empty thought cloud}

December 21, 2006, 07:09 PM	#2
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	What bullets and brass are you using? I had the exact problem you describe, and it turned out to be my lead gas checked bullet was bulging the +P case, which was thicker higher up the sides than a standard case. I was loading 38 special though. Dunno if this is your problem but hopefully it helps, or at least eliminates a possibility for you...

December 21, 2006, 09:34 PM	#4
areandare Member Join Date: October 15, 2006 Posts: 37	I am using winchester cases and lead swc bullets. I am going to try all the tips, thanks.

December 21, 2006, 10:41 PM	#5
The Real Wyatt Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2006 Location: South Central KY Posts: 339	Definitely agree on the separate seating and crimping stages. The Lee Factory Crimp Die does a resizing as well 'cause the crimping can "swell" the case below the crimp. The Lee FCD compensates for that.

December 22, 2006, 09:08 AM	#7
areandare Member Join Date: October 15, 2006 Posts: 37	The die that I am using is the one that came with the die kit (three total). I tried the suggestions and sometimes ill get it perfect and it will slide right in then the next one wont fit at all...Is their another die I can buy to make this whole process easier?? Thanks

December 22, 2006, 05:35 PM	#9
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	If you are "swelling" your bullets using the LFC die you are putting way too much pressure on the handle. A light touch on the crimper will do you a lot better job. All you are trying to do is pinch the brass into the cannelure a bit.

December 23, 2006, 12:06 AM	#10
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2002 Posts: 2,019	Are the bullets seating straight? Most of the time this is the problem. Look into the seating die, is the round nose profile there or the flat tip profile? If the recess is round pull the seating stem out and see if you can turn it over to get a flat point type profile on the seating stem. Just enough crimp to see the case turn into the bullet is all that is needed, no more. You can buy a factory crimp die and just smash the bullet and case back into shape so they will all chamber and shoot or you can figure out what the problem is. Up to you.

December 23, 2006, 12:13 AM	#11
areandare Member Join Date: October 15, 2006 Posts: 37	Ok, I just fixed the one's from earlier. I believe I had too much flare and crimp(a combo problem) and they now work great! Thanks for all of your tips and suggestions it really helped allot.

December 25, 2006, 03:28 PM	#12
JJB2 Junior member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Posts: 558	i actually use two lee speed dies to reload with... i first got my .357 mag speed die and then ordered a .38 spl die body with locking rings and a custom bullet seater... i sent a sample bullet to lee and they made a custom seater stem for me to use... i reload off two presses at a time with this setup..... the seating and crimping stages are done seperately.... utilizing all the dies and two presses i can make lots of variations of reloading steps. it's kinda fun!! MERRY CHRISTMAS................

December 26, 2006, 10:43 PM	#13
swmike Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 670	One other thought and it pertains to the pistol, not the reloading process. Have you shot any 38 spl's in your .357. It is possible to build up some carbon in the cylinder that might cause a 357 cartridge to feel tight. A good cleaning of the cylinder is all it takes to correct the issue.