Adjusting Lee Factory Crimp Die

[goodconcretecolor]

I load with a single stage press and have found that the Lee factory crimp die really enhances accuracy with my 30-06 loads. However I would like to find a good method for adjusting the die consistantly from loading session to loading session. (I hope to get a Lee Classic Turret press soon which eliminate this problem but i need a good adjust ment method in the meantime. There were no instructions wuth the die and none on the Lee Precision web site.

[quickdtoo]

Here's the instructions, right click it, save it to your PC, then print it.

Tim

[R.W.Dale]

 I just look inside the top of the die and adjust down onto the raised shellholder until the "fingers" of the collet get close. Then I insert a round to be crimped, run the round into the die and hold just short of full stroke making final adjustment on the die until you FEEL the desired crimp. With a properly made FCD die (we are talking Lee after all ) it should be impossible to over crimp

[steve4102]

I load with a single stage press and have found that the Lee factory crimp die really enhances accuracy with my 30-06 loads. However I would like to find a good method for adjusting the die consistantly from loading session to loading session. (I hope to get a Lee Classic Turret press soon which eliminate this problem but i need a good adjust ment method in the meantime. There were no instructions wuth the die and none on the Lee Precision web site.

Keeping the "Lock Nut" consistant can be a problem with the Lee Dies.  One way to remain consistant is to mark the Press, Die, and lock nut with a black marker, that way you can always get the same position.  A better way is to replace that stupid rubber "O" ring lock nut with a standard "Lockable" nut and be done.

http://www.midwayusa.com/esearch.exe/search?TabID=2&category_selector=9315&search_keywords=lock+ring

[jgalar]

Put a couple of drops of    BLUE    Loctite on the threads of the locknut after you get it adjusted.

[Ambushhunter]

I just had a thought...what if the case lengths are slightly different, say .015 to .025.  Wouldn't that come into play?  I just cripmed a bunch the other night and some crimmped differently.  I know that some of the cases were slightly different in length because I had just mic'd them all and trimmed the one's that were out of tolerance.  I'm working .308 win, and try to come in around 2.01 to 2.02 case length.  I consider these to be within torlerable limits for my guns.  Might slightly different case length be part of the problem?

[stalker1]

What I do to keep the setting consistent is use my digital or dial caliper depth measuring feature. Once I have the die set the way I like it, I leave the die in the press and while holding on to it, unscrew the lock ring and measure from the top of the die to the top of the press. Once I have the measurement I record it with my load data for that particular round. It only takes about 5 minutes time but it is worth it for the accuracy I get. This takes the o-ring compression and wear completely out of the picture.

[millwright]

run the die in until it just touches the shell holder.  Back the crimp off.  Run the loaded round into the die.  Turn the crimp down until you have firm contact.  Back the case out of the die.  Turn the crimp down 1/2 turn for a light crimp, 1 turn for a heavy crimp.