- Messages
- 14,909
- Reactions
- 27,433
I only 'skimmed' through the vid about the Redding die (due to the guys voice) and with regard to the problem of 'shaving' the bullet it appeared to me he was going the 'long way around the barn' in adjusting the seating/crimp die.
I learned long ago to start by backing the die off so the case mouth misses the crimp ring and screw the seating stem several turns in deeper then with the round in the shell holder gently raise it into the die until you feel the bullet make contact with the seating stem and gently pull the handle until you feel the bullet move.
Remove the round and 'eyeball' the seating depth, measure with a caliper, or if the bullet has a cannelure, stop when the case mouth is centered on it. However you determine the depth you want to 'pre-seat the bullet to this depth.
Ok, back the seating stem off to clear the bullet and with the round completely in the die (press handle down completely) screw the die down until the crimp ring stops on the case mouth, back the round out a bit, then maybe a 1/4 turn of the die and lock it down.
Pull the handle to crimp the round and remove and inspect the crimp. If it is satisfactory do nothing, if not adjust the die up or down to create the crimp you want.
When the crimp is adjusted run the round up till it stops (press handle completely down) and screw the seating stem DOWN until it makes contact with the bullet, snug it up and tighten the lock ring.
You now have your seating/crimping die adjusted properly and you should never have a 'shaved' bullet, providing you have properly flared the case mouth.
Understand however slight differences in case length might result in a slightly heavier, or lighter crimp but this is the 'nature of the beast' when roll crimping pistol rounds.
I learned long ago to start by backing the die off so the case mouth misses the crimp ring and screw the seating stem several turns in deeper then with the round in the shell holder gently raise it into the die until you feel the bullet make contact with the seating stem and gently pull the handle until you feel the bullet move.
Remove the round and 'eyeball' the seating depth, measure with a caliper, or if the bullet has a cannelure, stop when the case mouth is centered on it. However you determine the depth you want to 'pre-seat the bullet to this depth.
Ok, back the seating stem off to clear the bullet and with the round completely in the die (press handle down completely) screw the die down until the crimp ring stops on the case mouth, back the round out a bit, then maybe a 1/4 turn of the die and lock it down.
Pull the handle to crimp the round and remove and inspect the crimp. If it is satisfactory do nothing, if not adjust the die up or down to create the crimp you want.
When the crimp is adjusted run the round up till it stops (press handle completely down) and screw the seating stem DOWN until it makes contact with the bullet, snug it up and tighten the lock ring.
You now have your seating/crimping die adjusted properly and you should never have a 'shaved' bullet, providing you have properly flared the case mouth.
Understand however slight differences in case length might result in a slightly heavier, or lighter crimp but this is the 'nature of the beast' when roll crimping pistol rounds.
Last Edited: