Lee Factory Crimp Die on the 550B
Quote from Reloader on February 11, 2010, 1:49 amJust started setting up My Dillon 550B and ran accross a concern on the fourth station where I am setting up my Crimp Die. I am loading .223 and it was recommended I crimp for better performance and on a seperate station at that. I purchased a set of Lee Dies and all seem to be working like a charm except the Factory Crimp Die. Now I know what some might say:"Get Dillon Dies", but let's say for argument sake, I'm stuck with these for now.
Here's the problem: I noticed that the die will not give a sufficient crimp unless the die is all the way against the shellplate. This throws the rest of the dies out of wack (crimp die is longer than the rest). I came to the conclusion that if I set the crimp die first to the correct length then adjust the rest after, it seems to work.
Just wanted to see if anyone else has come accross this obstacle and can offer some suggestions. Does having the die pressed down against the shellplate cause anything to be bent or thrown out of place when you start pressing down on it?
Just started setting up My Dillon 550B and ran accross a concern on the fourth station where I am setting up my Crimp Die. I am loading .223 and it was recommended I crimp for better performance and on a seperate station at that. I purchased a set of Lee Dies and all seem to be working like a charm except the Factory Crimp Die. Now I know what some might say:"Get Dillon Dies", but let's say for argument sake, I'm stuck with these for now.
Here's the problem: I noticed that the die will not give a sufficient crimp unless the die is all the way against the shellplate. This throws the rest of the dies out of wack (crimp die is longer than the rest). I came to the conclusion that if I set the crimp die first to the correct length then adjust the rest after, it seems to work.
Just wanted to see if anyone else has come accross this obstacle and can offer some suggestions. Does having the die pressed down against the shellplate cause anything to be bent or thrown out of place when you start pressing down on it?
Quote from Reloader on February 11, 2010, 2:38 pmWhile you won't damage the machine by adjusting the crimp die down to contact the shellplate, the size die adjustment is the most important one. The size die must set the shoulder back on the case sufficiently to allow the cartridge to chamber. Otherwise the other adjustments are without utility. Set the size die first, then the others.
While you won't damage the machine by adjusting the crimp die down to contact the shellplate, the size die adjustment is the most important one. The size die must set the shoulder back on the case sufficiently to allow the cartridge to chamber. Otherwise the other adjustments are without utility. Set the size die first, then the others.
Quote from Reloader on June 30, 2018, 9:37 pmOld thread, but found this searching for answers to the same issue. Here's why I think this IS a problem: the LFCD is supposed to actuate when the shoulder drives the collet upward. As it is the shell plate is driving the collet up, not the shoulder. Yes, the collet closes. At the right timing with respect to the shoulder? Maybe, maybe not. But it's not right.
I'm going to shave the bottom of the collet until I can be certain the collet is being actuated by the shoulder, not the shell plate.
Chilly
Old thread, but found this searching for answers to the same issue. Here's why I think this IS a problem: the LFCD is supposed to actuate when the shoulder drives the collet upward. As it is the shell plate is driving the collet up, not the shoulder. Yes, the collet closes. At the right timing with respect to the shoulder? Maybe, maybe not. But it's not right.
I'm going to shave the bottom of the collet until I can be certain the collet is being actuated by the shoulder, not the shell plate.
Chilly
Quote from Reloader on June 30, 2018, 9:44 pmWow. Didn't take long for me to figure out how wrong I was. Dropping a cartridge into the die I can see that the die is indeed actuated by whatever shell holder you happen to be using. The head of case is deeper than edge of the collet. I still don't like it, and will get a Dillon crimp die with my next order.
Wow. Didn't take long for me to figure out how wrong I was. Dropping a cartridge into the die I can see that the die is indeed actuated by whatever shell holder you happen to be using. The head of case is deeper than edge of the collet. I still don't like it, and will get a Dillon crimp die with my next order.