So, I just got all my new reloading gear... but haven't started reloading yet. Reading a lot and trying to learn as much as I can before I start making my own ammo. One thing I just haven't been able to find much info on and confuses me is how to set your bullet depth and OAL. How is this done? Every recipe I see shows a desired OAL, but nowhere do I see how you can set the press to seat your bullet at a specific depth or to get a specific OAL. I have a Lee Classic 4-hole Turret and Lee Deluxe Carbide Dies. Can anyone tell me how to accomplish this?

 

Thank you, in advance, for any info.

set up your seating die as the instructions say. Then once its locked down, back out your top screw almost all the way out. Then place a case on the ram with a bullet on top and run it up into the die. Screw down the adjustment untill it stops on the bullet. Retract the case/bullet and screw the adjustment down a little bit, run the case up(it should now seat it just a teeny bit), measure, repeat (adjusting the seating depth down each time a little bit more). Keep going untill you reach your desired depth. Go somewhat slowly, since once you overshoot your mark you have to pull the bullet and start over.

 

Does that make sense?

set up your seating die as the instructions say. Then once its locked down, back out your top screw almost all the way out. Then place a case on the ram with a bullet on top and run it up into the die. Screw down the adjustment untill it stops on the bullet. Retract the case/bullet and screw the adjustment down a little bit, run the case up(it should now seat it just a teeny bit), measure, repeat (adjusting the seating depth down each time a little bit more). Keep going untill you reach your desired depth. Go somewhat slowly, since once you overshoot your mark you have to pull the bullet and start over.

 

Does that make sense?

 

Yep, got it! So a bit of trial and error until you get it just right... Makes sense. I figured it would be something like this, but just wanted to make sure. Thanks Glenn!

Make a dummy round. Meaning, fully sized case, no primer, no powder. Make sure the case is adaquately bell mouthed.

 

Back out the seating cup, not the die.

 

Insert the dummy into the seating die.

 

Turn down the seating cup 1/2 turn.

 

Load a bullet into the dummy case.

 

Measure the OAL.

 

Turn the seating cup 1/8th-1/4 turn at a time and repeat until you get the proper OAL.

 

Now do you have a separate crimping die? If not PM me and we'll address that. The process is a little different.

 

Frank

Now do you have a separate crimping die? If not PM me and we'll address that. The process is a little different.

 

Frank

 

Yep, the Lee die set comes with a factory crimp die.

 

Thanks!

he has a lee FCD for crimping.

 

Tony, setting up the FCD is basically the same. Set the die, lock it in, back out the screw. run the case up, look at it, if more crimp desired adjust the screw down. For 9mm you need JUST enough crimp so that you can barely see it. To test if it is enough make a dummy round, load into your magazine and chamber it a few times. If its shrinks, not enough crimp. If it doesnt shrink much(a TEENY bit is ok) then your in the clear.

he has a lee FCD for crimping.

 

Tony, setting up the FCD is basically the same. Set the die, lock it in, back out the screw. run the case up, look at it, if more crimp desired adjust the screw down. For 9mm you need JUST enough crimp so that you can barely see it. To test if it is enough make a dummy round, load into your magazine and chamber it a few times. If its shrinks, not enough crimp. If it doesnt shrink much(a TEENY bit is ok) then your in the clear.

 

Glenn is that a separate crimping die?

 

If so I adjust onto a factory round. Then add 1/16th turn for flex. Then check by dropping the slide from lock on a dummy, even a couple of times.

Yes its a seperate die.

Keep the dummy round in you die box so you can make sure everything is set right if you switch back and forth between dies. Or if you adjust things for rn or hp ect ect you can use the dummy round to re adjust everything back to where you had it for that round

I just remove the bell from the case for pistol 9mm, 40S&W and 45ACP. Measure the case with calipers around the bullet after it is seated. Adjust the Lee FCD in small increments to remove the bell. Measure the crimp with calipers after each adjustment. You don't want the case to dig into the jacket from the crimp. These calibers use a taper crimp which is different from a revolver roll crimp. A taper crimp is only to remove the crimp, not hold the bullet. The bullet is held in place by the pressure from the sized case. The case should basically measure the same all the way up along side of the bullet to the case mouth.

You want a very slight taper to the crimp, hence, "taper crimp" not "flare-remover". Roll crimps are great for holding a bullet from pulling OUT due to recoil in a revolver and taper crimps are great for keeping the bullet from pushing IN during chambering (and keeping headspace). If a crimp wasnt needed, you could just post-size the flare out.

I just remove the bell from the case for pistol 9mm, 40S&W and 45ACP. Measure the case with calipers around the bullet after it is seated. Adjust the Lee FCD in small increments to remove the bell. Measure the crimp with calipers after each adjustment. You don't want the case to dig into the jacket from the crimp. These calibers use a taper crimp which is different from a revolver roll crimp. A taper crimp is only to remove the crimp Bell, not hold the bullet. The bullet is held in place by the pressure from the sized case. The case should basically measure the same all the way up along side of the bullet to the case mouth.

 

 

I don't know if that is totally correct - Rick

So, I just got all my new reloading gear... but haven't started reloading yet. Reading a lot and trying to learn as much as I can before I start making my own ammo. One thing I just haven't been able to find much info on and confuses me is how to set your bullet depth and OAL. How is this done? Every recipe I see shows a desired OAL, but nowhere do I see how you can set the press to seat your bullet at a specific depth or to get a specific OAL. I have a Lee Classic 4-hole Turret and Lee Deluxe Carbide Dies. Can anyone tell me how to accomplish this?

 

Thank you, in advance, for any info.

 

It also depends on the type of bullet you are loading. Lead SWC or FMJ. With a SWC, you want about 0.030" of the bullet shoulder exposed. The idea is that the cartridge will feed reliably but not engage the rifling. For a FMJ, the first thing you can do is measure some factory ammo for a starting point. Second, know your SAAMI maximum length (1.169" for 9mm). The number given in the recipe is the minimum. Never be shorter than this length or you could have an over pressure situation. Somewhere between the minimum and the maximum is the length that will be accurate in your firearm and feed reliably. Remember, the most accurate length is useless if it won't feed. By loading rounds at different lengths, you can find that ideal length. That's part of the fun of and the reason for reloading - finding that idea round that shoots rings around factory "one size fits all" ammo. Note: I am talking handguns loads, for rifle, ignore everything I just wrote as I don't load rifle ammo and know nothing.