9mm Die Set Question

[glennv]

I typically reload .308 and was thinking of doing 9mm on my single stage. When looking at dies I see sets with three and others with four dies.

Which dies are necessary?

 

[z7]

Four die sets have a separate crimp die. I have a Lee 4 die set, it works just as good as my hornady 3 die set. The instructions are easy that come with the dies, resize (deprime as well) in one step. Bell case mouth #2. Add primer and powder off press. Seat bullet #3 Remove bell by applying a"crimp" #4

Or with some dies you have to seat and crimp in one step. I am unsure of the advantage/disadvantaged of either. On a single stage seating and crimping together saves time, doing it separately is another trip through the press

 

[Lman57]

I second what z7 said I have the same set Lee 4 die set But I use them on my Dillon 550 press.

 

[moxie]

Save time and effort by seating and "crimping" at the same time with one die.

I have had sterling results with the RCBS 3-die set.

 

[Candyman87]

RCBS 3 die carbide set here. Seating and crimping at the same time for plinking ammo.

I stopped reloading 9mm for the time being. I don't have much free time right now and the 9mm takes more time to load than it's worth for single stage.

Just something to think about.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I prefer to seat and crimp separately, because doing so in a single die means any adjustment to one requires an adjustment to the other. But...

I'm loading on a progressive press, which doesn't require another pass through the press...as a single stage would

 

[armoredman]

I use the lee 4 die deluxe set. You can set the third die, the bullet seating die, to do both seat and crimp, no problem. The 4th die is the one some reloaders despise - the Lee Factory Crimp Die. I use it, smooths out any bumps from the reloading process and makes it feed smoothly if you have a finicky gun. Some people throw a sign of the cross up and hiss when they see one, but I use it.
I use the same single stage I've used since I started reloading, because I do small batch loading, to enjoy the time. It's a hobby that takes up time I might waste surfing the internet...

 

[baseball2013]

I have but no longer use a Lee Taper Crimp die for 9mm. Some additional reading after my first couple of loading sessions led me to this decision.

45 acp is loaded using a Hornady Custom 3 die set. Setting up the seating/crimping die properly was a bit tricky for me but it works well.

 

[kcofohio]

glennv, most 9mm resizers are carbide. But there are some steel dies too. Just something to watch out for.

 

[JamieC]

With a 3 die set, as mentioned, the seating and crimp are done at the same time. Not a problem usually. Where a problem MIGHT occur is different length cases. The crimp won't be as consistent. I use the Lee 4 die, the factory crimp die has not given me anything but good results, 380 auto, 38 special, 9mm, 223. Just bought a 4 die set to start 45acp.

 

[TimSr]

Some rounds are difficult to get good results by seating and crimping at the same time. 9mm is NOT one of them. Most taper crimp pistol rounds are so easy to seat and crimp at the same time, that I can't imagine ever taking the time to run them through twice.

 

[JonB]

I use the Lee 4 die set as well. As far as crimp, I try to set it so that it only removes the belling at the mouth from the expander. I also use the FCD as it doesn't take much time to run 150 rounds through it on my Lee hand press - mostly as a post sizer vs a crimp.

 

[Walkalong]

The "crimp" on an auto case is just enough to remove the bell. It is such a small amount there is no problem with seating and crimping in the same step. It will save a station if you need it for a powder check etc.

Hard to beat an RCBS three die set. You can always add a separate crimp only die later.

 

[rsrocket1]

I would recommend the 3 die set. If you want to taper crimp, get the separate Lee Taper Crimp Die and not the Factory Crimp Die. The taper crimp die is essentially the seater/crimper die without the seater (it also costs less than trying to get the die body by itself).

The FCD acts like the sizer die and swages down the entire body of the cartridge. For plated and jacketed bullets, that's OK, but with lead bullets, you will be swaging the lead down which may cause bullet fit and leading problems. With my powder coat bullets, when I tried the FCD on it, the bullets would pull out of the case with finger pressure. Unchambered rounds would pop the bullet out and spill powder out of the gun.

You can get by with a properly adjusted seater/crimper die, but with a 5 station LnL AP, I already have the extra spot for the taper crimp die so it is no extra effort to seat and crimp in separate stations.

 

[PJSprog]

I've been using the Lee FCD on .38/.357 and .45ACP for years with no problems. Yes, it's an extra step on a single stage operation. If you're not in a hurry to crank out a zillion rounds in a day, this is not a big deal.

Some people like it, some do not. Personal preference.

 

[judgedelta]

In addition to using the factory crimp die (FCD), I also use a 7-hole case gauge from Evolution Gun Works (EGW) that I got from Dillon. Take the cartridge from the press, drop in the case gauge and dump into a bowl when full. Insures that all shells are in spec and will function in my pistols. When using range brass, you never know that all of the brass will resize properly. I sometimes get a case or two of some weird brand that I never heard of before...

 

[TimSr]

Hard to beat an RCBS three die set. You can always add a separate crimp only die later.

OP is using a single stage. Only need to readjust the seat /crimp die for that matter.

 

[murf]

the sizing die, the expander die and the seating die.

murf

 

[BCRider]

Lee and others sell "factory crimp dies" separately as well. So either buy a 4 die set and keep the crimp die for later when you get a progressive or buy a 3 die set for now to save a few bucks and pay a little extra down the line for a separate crimp die if you go with a progressive at some point.

 

[Walkalong]

The "FCD" or "Factory Crimp Die" is unique to Lee with its carbide insert. Others sell crimp only dies, whether taper or roll, but no post sizing ring. Lee also sells plain old crimp dies without the carbide insert.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I also think that is an important distinction.

Many companies sell Crimp Dies...which only crimp a case without provision for seating the bullet. Only Lee sells a Factory Crimp Die...which has the stated intent of not only crimping the case, but returning (sizing) the case to factory dimensions after the bullet is seated.

The only 2 Lee dies I own and use each have a specialized purpose. Their Decapping Die and Factory Crimp Die each perform functions none of my other dies are designed to do

 

[Hondo 60]

Necessary?
Lee's three die set has a
1.sizing
2.powder thru
3.seating & crimping.

Their 4 die sets (which are not necessary) separate seating & crimping. I actually prefer doing it separate, but that's just me.

RCBS/Redding/Lyman/etc, AFAIK, do not have 4 die sets.

 

[Lman57]

I didn't use my Crimping die from my Lee set on my single stage press but I use it on my Dillon550 press.

 

[Walkalong]

RCBS/Redding/Lyman/etc, AFAIK, do not have 4 die sets.

But they do sell separate crimp dies as does Lee. It just isn't needed for 9MM. Some folks still like to crimp in a separate step though.

 

[Dudedog]

I use and like the Lee FCD. Others hate it.
If you are considering Lee dies I would spend the extra money and get the 4 die set. You don't have to use the FCD if you don't like it.

I have both Lee and Hornady 9mm dies.
The Hornady decapper is a bit smoother, I like the Lee powder drop -expansion die better than the Hornady expander. I have the Hornady set with the taper crimp die. If you go with Hornady make sure you get that set not the 9mm roll crimp set.

I have both RCBS and Lee .45 dies. The RCBS are maybe a little nicer, maybe. Nicer looking for sure.
I like to use the .45 FCD as well even if I am using the RCBS dies.

Lee lock rings are of like or hate knind of thing.
To me they are fine others hate them.

I am happy with all my Lee dies. (have others as well)