Quick question about dies

kdf9511 · Dec 23, 2012

It looks like I will be ordering up the Lee Challenger kit from Midway next week and will also be getting a set of 9mm dies for it. Now my question is witch is the better setup, the 3 die set or the 4 die set with the factory crimp die.

poopgiggle · Dec 23, 2012

I've had mixed results with crimping with the seating die. Get the set with the FCD. IIRC it's only like $10 more for the 4-die set.

ryanncass · Dec 23, 2012

I use a FCD like poop I did not have good luck seating and crimping in the same die

technetium-99m · Dec 23, 2012

Lee dies work well. That being said I don't have a real love for the handgun FCD's. All you want to do is close the bell you made for seating. Neck tension holds the bullet and if you don't have enough that's a size die/brass issue and clamping down on the bullet/brass combo isn't going to fix it.

dennishoddy · Dec 23, 2012

technetium-99m said:
Lee dies work well. That being said I don't have a real love for the handgun FCD's. All you want to do is close the bell you made for seating. Neck tension holds the bullet and if you don't have enough that's a size die/brass issue and clamping down on the bullet/brass combo isn't going to fix it.

^^what he said^^

kdf9511 · Dec 24, 2012

Well I guess I'll go ahead and get the 4 die set. This will be my first big attempt at reloading. Once I get handgun ammo down I will try my hand at some rifle loads.

dennishoddy · Dec 24, 2012

kdf9511 said:
Well I guess I'll go ahead and get the 4 die set. This will be my first big attempt at reloading. Once I get handgun ammo down I will try my hand at some rifle loads.

Thats when the fun begins!

kdf9511 · Dec 24, 2012

dennishoddy said:
Thats when the fun begins!

Yep....Looks like I will be getting this from Cabela's instad of Midway. They have them on sale for 99.99 for the press kit and 20 bucks off any order over $150 witch won't be hard to do. And I'll get free shipping if I have it shipped to the store in St. Louis and have my ex pick it up, then I will get it from her when I go up to see the kids in a couple of weeks.