Lee 25-20 Crimping die.....can't make it work??

[kombi1976]

I've just started loading for 25-20 and I bought a Lee Deluxe set with crimping die.
I loaded some cast 75gn RNFPs and seat the bullets with no problems.
Then I decided to see whether the crimp would make a difference to accuracy and so would crimp about 10 rounds.
Since I've only eve loaded for 303/25 and 8x57 before I've never used a crimp before and so I followed the instructions which seemed straight forward enough.
But no matter what I do I'm darned if I can get the rotten thing to crimp.  :x  
The shell holder hits the base of the die before the cartridge rises high enough to make it crimp. :evil:
Any hints? :|

[ricciardelli]

Grind off the base of the crimping die...

[kombi1976]

Surely there's a better way around this problem??

[Reed1911]

How much room are you lacking from the opening in the collet (not the top of the FCD die, but the actual collet where it squeezes the brass) and the top of the brass?

[kombi1976]

How much room are you lacking from the opening in the collet (not the top of the FCD die, but the actual collet where it squeezes the brass) and the top of the brass?

Good question.
All I know is that the bullet sticks up through the collet but the case doesn't rise far enough to contract around the neck before the rim it's the bottom.
I've even taken it off the press and pushed the round into the die.
It has the same problem.....still not far enough.
Is this a common problem with Lee dies?

[Reed1911]

Okay, let's try this: (please don't take offense if I ask any very simple questions of you, as I do not know your skill level and experience).

When the case is fully into the die with the shellholder touching the bottom of the collet, look into the top of the die and see where the case mouth is. It should be +/- at the top of the collet. IF it is not there are two likely reasons 1) the die was made inproperly (not likely, but possible) or 2) the brass is a little short (most likely)

So.....did you trim the brass before you started loading it? Try taking a measurement and compare it with the Min/Max (1.320-1.330).

[Steelbanger]

No help here, just a question. How long has Lee been making a Factory Crimp die for the 25-20?

[kombi1976]

Okay, let's try this: (please don't take offense if I ask any very simple questions of you, as I do not know your skill level and experience).

When the case is fully into the die with the shellholder touching the bottom of the collet, look into the top of the die and see where the case mouth is. It should be +/- at the top of the collet. IF it is not there are two likely reasons 1) the die was made inproperly (not likely, but possible) or 2) the brass is a little short (most likely)

So.....did you trim the brass before you started loading it? Try taking a measurement and compare it with the Min/Max (1.320-1.330).

No offense taken, mate.
To be honest my skill level is fairly low anyway.
No, I didn't trim the brass before loading.
I just checked the case mouth to make sure it wasn't burred or dented.
And none of the case neck or mouth is visible at the top of the collet.
I have compared it to the min and it's a little larger, I'm guessing probably close to 1.330".
Does that help?

[Reed1911]

Hmmm...sounds like the dies was made incorrectly. You can return it to Lee and have them replace it.
OR If you have access to a bench grinder you can grind off about 1/32" (0.8mm) and see how it fitsat that point. You did read the directions for setting up the die right? Again I know it sounds stupid, but I'm not sitting there where it would be a lot eaiser to figure out the problem.

Sorry I forgot earlier, min and max values for the case length in mm are:
33.53mm-33.78mm

[stimpylu32]

When all else fails return to the instructions ,

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/faq/index.cgi

If this fails , e-mail LEE they can help

info@leeprecision.com

[Arrroman]

Kombi,

When the shellholder bumps the bottom of the crimp die up about 1/8" the splits in the collet should close.

That is all the crimp you are going to get.

Good luck hunting!  >>>------------>