Lee’s instructions can be confusing when it comes to the setup of their pistol reloading die sets. But you need to consider that these dies are used in a variety of presses.

This is our way of setting Lee pistol reloading dies…tried and tested over thousands of reloads.

As always follow safe reloading practices.


Handgun Factory Crimp Die Setup

This is an optional crimp die for those that prefer to seat and crimp in separate steps. You will need an extra open station on a progressive press.

The biggest advantage of the Pistol Factory Crimp Die is the carbide sizing ring that post sizes your round.

If you are setting up on a progressive press ensure that your Sizing die is setup correctly.

480BC Tip- Make a dummy round, size and deprime a case, flare the case mouth and seat a bullet. Do not add primer or powder.

 

Raise your ram/carrier to the top and hold.

Turn the die in until it touches the shell holder/shell plate.

Turn the adjusting screw out.

Secure the lock ring or breech lock bushing.

Insert the dummy round into shell holder/shell plate and raise the ram/carrier to the top and hold.

Turn the adjusting screw in until you can feel it just touch the case mouth of your dummy round.

Lower the ram/carrier to move the dummy round out of the die.

Turn the adjusting screw in to add crimp. ¼ turn in should be enough taper crimp for 9mmp. Test to check.

9mmp case mouth should be taper crimped to .380inch.

You can crimp a bit more for CMJ bullets but not for Coated Bullets.

Be careful to not add too much crimp.

The case is sized as it enters the die and again as it is pulled out of the die. This ensure that all your rounds are sized correctly. Don’t expect the carbide sizer to touch every case. It is a fail-safe tool for the occasional bad round that could ruin your day.

 

Notes:

Be careful setting this die up if you are using Coated Bullets. Setting the Factory Crimp Die too deep can swage the bottom of the bullet in the case and lead to leading and gas cutting.

Factory Crimp Dies are caliber specific and will either taper crimp or roll crimp, not both.

Lee Precision recently released a Factory Crimp Micrometer Seater Adapter. This new product will convert your Factory Crimp Die into a bullet seater also. Offering you a bullet seating and crimping die featuring Micrometer adjustments and the post sizing capabilities of the Factory Crimp Die.