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 Bullet Seating Die Setup.
If you are setting up on a progressive press ensure
that your Sizing die is setup correctly.
Raise your ram/carrier to the top and hold.
Turn the die in until it touches the shell
holder/shell plate.
Turn the die out 3 full turns.
At this setting the die will not add any crimp to the
case mouth and only seat the bullet. If you are using a separate crimp die,
secure the lock ring or breech lock bushing.
If crimp is desired turn the die in.
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. These dies can
taper crimp and roll crimp.
Bullet seating depth is set by the adjustment screw on
top of the die. See note below.
The die features a floating bullet seating stem that
works with most bullet shapes.
480BC Tip- Use one a completed round to help adjust the bullet seating
depth.
Place the loaded round in your shell holder/shell
plate and raise into the bullet seating die with the adjusting screw turned
out.
Turn the adjusting screw in until you feel the stem
making contact with the bullet. You can now adjust your seating depth from
here.
Your bullet should be seated deep enough to work in
your gun.
480BC Tip- Coated Bullets have a bigger ogive than CMJ bullets
and needs to be seated deeper so that the bullet does not jam against the lands
of your barrel.
Do not seat bullets too deep as you can compress your
load.
9mmp is generally loaded to a Cartridge Overall Length
between 27mm and 29mm.
Cartridge Overall Length is measured from the base of
the case to the tip of the bullet.
Notes:
Lee Precision recently released a Handgun Micrometer
Adjust Screw for you to replace the adjusting screw on your Lee Precision
handgun bullet seating dies.
It works exactly the same as the adjusting screw but
you can now record your bullet seating depth to .001” and record any
adjustments.
