die substitution

[romulus]

Okay, I got the Hornady operation manual for their Pro-jector progressive press, which I got for Christmas. Staions are set up as follows: 1) size and deprime; 2) case belling; 3) powder charge; 4) bullet seating and crimping; 5) final crimp (taper or roll)

I'd like to use the Lee factory crimp die, as well as deprime the cases before cleaning. I thought I could do this on a cheap single stage with a universal decapping die. Can I introduce the factory crimp die? At what station? Would that mean eliminating the final crimp and substitute the Lee factory crimp die? Also, If I deprime beforehand, can I resize separately, or should decapping and resizing always go together?

Thank you

 

[Edward429451]

deprime the cases before cleaning. I thought I could do this on a cheap single stage with a universal decapping die.

>Yes you can.

Can I introduce the factory crimp die? At what station?

>Station 5

Would that mean eliminating the final crimp and substitute the Lee factory crimp die?

>Yes. Dont even try to crimp with the seater/crimp die. One crimp operation that is seperate from seating. When you try to seat & crimp at the same time you wind up shaving the bullets because its starting to try to crimp before the bullet is fully seated.

Also, If I deprime beforehand, can I resize separately, or should decapping and resizing always go together?

>This doesn't matter. Whichever is your preference.

 

[Car Knocker]

And if you drop the powder through the expander die, that gives you a station for a powder lock-out die to help eliminate under or over-charges.

 

[romulus]

Car Knocker, can you explain that to me? Does that mean that I would eliminate the powder drop at station 3, and use what at station 2? By expander I guess you mean what I called case belling? And what station would get the powder lock-out die?

Thanks

 

[Car Knocker]

Sure. Station #1 has the decapping/sizing die, Station #2 has the Lyman Multi-Expand Powder Charging Die (Part # 7767901), Station #3 has a RCBS Lock-Out Die (Part # 87540), Station #4 has a seating die and Station #5 has a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die. I use this set-up for .380, 9mm, .357 Magnum/.38 Special and .45ACP. I ran .308 rifle cartridges through the same system once but found I prefer to use a single-stage press for them.

The Lyman Multi-Expand Powder Charging Die has interchangable expander inserts (7) to fit various cartridge diameters. The Powder measure sits above the die.

The RCBS Lock-Out Die prevents the ram from rising to the top of its stroke if the powder level in the case is outside a certain range. For example, if using AA#5 in 9mm or .38/.357, the range is about 2 grains. This prevents a gross under or over-charge. This die would not be as effective with low-bulk, fast-burning powders that only require a small charge.

Any more questions, just holler!

 

[romulus]

That sounds like a plan. For the 45 Auto, I just would need the Lyman and the the RCBS parts. Thank you Edward and CarKnocker.