300 AAC Taper Crimp Issue

Lord Kimbote · Jan 27, 2017

I have a set of Lee dies for 300 AAC and I have found that I am unable to adjust the seating die deep enough to add a taper crimp to the case. Even with the bullet seating plug unscrewed as much as possible, the bottom of the seating die will contact the shell holder before the case mouth contacts the internally tapered portion of the die.

I have a factory crimp die, and I don't plan to add an extreme crimp with either die, but I was wondering if anyone else has this problem? Or, more likely, am I missing something? Is the 300 AAC Lee die internally tapered at all?

ageingstudent · Jan 28, 2017

If you bought the pacesetter 3 die set I don't believe the seating die has a crimp function, you're supposed to use the factory crimp die for the crimping operation. In the three die set they call the seating die a 'dead length seater', and in the two die set they call the die a seater/crimper.

Mikej · Jan 28, 2017

The reviews on the Midway site show some issues. Their solution was to go with an RCBS set or modify the shell holder perhaps.

Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set 300 AAC Blackout

I don't do any rifle loading but found this interesting. I had been told NOT to use a Lee shell holder when sizing .30 carbine because of a loose fit and possibility of tearing the shell on the upstroke. That may point to a problem with Lee dies and/or shell holder.

Member 5605 · Jan 28, 2017

You sure that die has taper crimp?

Cases trimmed too short?

I'd say use the FCD over any crimp in the die on a rifle round.

v0lcom13sn0w · Jan 28, 2017

i dont purposely crimp mine

Lord Kimbote · Jan 29, 2017

Thanks for the input, guys. I wonder why Lee decided to remove the crimp function from this die, all my other Lee seating dies can be set to crimp.

ageingstudent · Jan 29, 2017

Dyjital said:
You sure that die has taper crimp?

Cases trimmed too short?

I'd say use the FCD over any crimp in the die on a rifle round.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't Dyg. My .22-250 set is a 3 die set and the seater does not crimp.

ageingstudent · Jan 29, 2017

Lord Kimbote said:
Thanks for the input, guys. I wonder why Lee decided to remove the crimp function from this die, all my other Lee seating dies can be set to crimp.

Even if my seating die did crimp I would not use that function. The FCD for rifle is a collet crimp and much superior to a taper or roll crimp IMOP. You can set the FCD for a very light crimp and get very consistent results.

ageingstudent · Jan 29, 2017

@Dyjital

I decided to stop guessing and pulled out the instructions

Lord Kimbote · Jan 29, 2017

I have 6 or 7 Lee die sets and the seating dies all allow the user to apply a taper crimp. I didn't even think to check the instructions on this set but sure enough it says, in bold, "This Die Does Not Crimp".