Lee reloading kit advice needed

[bullseye308]

Crimping is one of those some do, some don't things. Ask a bunch of folks and half crimp and half don't. I do, but in my Loadmonster I don't even notice it. I even do it in the Reloader presses when using them too.

 

[TooTaxed]

I favor a slight taper crimp even for light-recoil cartridges like the .223. It prevents potential bullet movement on heavy-recoiling cartridges with heavy bullets. I believe that virtually all military and commercial rifle cartridges are crimped...though many rifle bullets are constructed without crimping grooves...and pistol bullets are crimped. It's always been an anomoly to me that some rifle bullets may not be crimped, while low velocity handgun bullets are crimped.

 

[RustyFN]

Thanks for clearing this up. Let me see if I understand completely. If you were me (using a bolt action) you would get the deluxe set, but since you like to crimp every round, you would also buy the LFCD too?

Yes Iwould get the Deluxe set but I wouldn't use a FCD for a bolt gun. I use it for my AR15 but actually add almost no crimp, I just want to make sure the case mouth doesn't have any bell to eliminate any feeding issues. The neck tension should be enough to hold the bullet if sized right.
Rusty

 

[dae06]

I feel I have two options here:

1. Get the Deluxe set, and if I ever feel like crimping I'll purchase a FC Die at a later time (~$41.98 for deluxe set + $13.98 FC Die).

or

2. Get the pacesetter Die set and purchase a seperate collet sizing Die, which I will definately want. (~$32.98 + $36.98 Collet Die set) I don't see a collet Die only price.

The question is, will I crimp my rounds??????

Right now it looks like the Deluxe set with an option of purchasing the FC Die at a later time possibly.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

[TooTaxed]

The bullet seating die in both sets is also a crimper...it provides a crimp in the same operation of seating the bullet...which is normally satisfactory, but can slightly damage the bullet as is is still moving while the crimp is taking place. You can adjust the degree of crimp.

Or, you can seat and crimp in separate operations...back off the main die away from the shell holder so it won't crimp, and lower the bullet seating plug to set the bullet to the proper cartridge length. Then, if you want a crimp, lower the main die, remove the bullet seating plug, and run all cartridges through the crimper.

 

[dae06]

Good to know, Thanks