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[gunclub]

I'm using a .44mag Lee deluxe pistol die set. I start with 1st sizing and depriming, 2nd expanding die, 3rd bullet seat die and, 4th factory crimp die all on a single stage press. It is very time consuming to use all four dies. Is their a step that I can skip or do without. I also use a hand primer and these bullets are being shot out of a revolver.
Thanks
Sam

[krod47nw]

You can roll crimp with the 3rd die instead of using the factory crimp die.

Kevin

[stimpylu32]

You can roll crimp with the 3rd die instead of using the factory crimp die.

Kevin

Yep , what he said , there is no way to avoid the first 2 steps , however you can seat & crimp with the seater die to save a step .

It takes a bit of work to get the die ajusted , but once its set your good to go , just read the  instructions on how to set up the die . Also the Lee web site has a how-to vidio on the die set-up .

stimpy

[torpedoman]

turret press

[dieselman]

If you don't have the $$$ for a turret press, you could buy another single stage press and split the work between the two. 

[wncchester]

"turret press"

Specifically, the Lee Cast (iron) Turret.  Only Lee has an auto-indexing feature that actually speeds up your reloading without the costs and hassles of a progressive press.

[Glanceblamm]

Turret press and if it is not to be afforded, just keep doing what your doing.

Someone here once compared the Seat\Crimp in one step as putting your car in the garage with the door on it's way down, you can get by with it for a while but you are going to end up with some scraping and shaving.

[stimpylu32]

Turret press and if it is not to be afforded, just keep doing what your doing.

Someone here once compared the Seat\Crimp in one step as putting your car in the garage with the door on it's way down, you can get by with it for a while but you are going to end up with some scraping and shaving.

The trick to this with cast bullets is to get the die set to start the crimp just as the bullet crimp groove is even with the top of the case mouth , granted , this takes some work to get the stars to aline but it can happen . 

stimpy 

[gunclub]

Thanks for the help.I am looking for a lee  classic turret press.Lee says it is cast iron. Is the auto-disk power measure relible?

[mdi]

I would definately toss the LFCD. If you do all the proceeding steps correctly, you won't need a FCD. Also you can prime on the press; size and on the down stroke use the primer arm supplied with the press. I reload in batches of 100 or so. I size/decap a bunch, later I'll prime and flare the cases, (sometimes I'll do several hundred cases like this because I use the same primers for every load). and later I'll charge/seat/crimp in one setting. Seems to go faster that way.

[JustaShooter]

Thanks for the help.I am looking for a lee  classic turret press.Lee says it is cast iron. Is the auto-disk power measure relible?

With most powders I've used in it, I have found it to be very reliable and consistent.  However, with very small ball powders like H110/W296 it leaks a bit and then gets gummed up...  I've heard the Pro version is better in that regard, but I can't confirm it.

Just a Shooter

[Glanceblamm]

The trick to this with cast bullets is to get the die set to start the crimp just as the bullet crimp groove is even with the top of the case mouth , granted , this takes some work to get the stars to aline but it can happen . 

stimpy 

Your experience and tips are greatly appreciated Stimpy.

Seems like when I try to put the "finess" on something, I start growing exta thumbs

[45-70.gov]

turret press
multiple cheap presses [need more shell holders]

MORE BRASS....means more ammo per setup

i have a gallon  of  44s
and 2 gallons  of 38  brass

just do one step  in a day with  all that brass anyway

[cybin]

My experience with the roll crimp has been that it works best if all of your brass is the same length--now as a rule you don't have to trim pistol brass---but--I have seen as much as .02 difference in lengths. That plays with your roll crimp somewhat. One of the reasons I like the Lee factory crimp die.

The turret press works great for pistol cartidges. One thing you can do on the cheap is pick up a C press for expanding the neck. I have seen them for about $16.00 I believe. Many years ago I knew a guy who used a O press for full length resizing and 2 C presses --they didn't have Lee collet dies back then--one for neck expanding and one for bullet seating. He told  me that the C presses weren't worth a damn for full length resizing.

cybin

[Old Fart]

turret press
multiple cheap presses [need more shell holders]

MORE BRASS....means more ammo per setup

i have a gallon  of  44s
and 2 gallons  of 38  brass

just do one step  in a day with  all that brass anyway

And here I thought I was the only one doing this. 

[Dand]

I use a turret press - Lyman - but if buying now I'd get the Lee cast press. Much handier. Also, I use the Lee ProAuto Disk.  I am happy with it but often the little disks don't quite dispense the weight of powder shown on the chart. So I always check weigh the first 10 loads - OH and I use the Lee, thru the expander / powder dies.  Get the swivel for the measure too.  The Pro Auto will leak a little too- H110/ 296 a little, more often the real fine flake powders like AA WSF. But not as show stopper and I usually load no more than 500 rounds at a time so haven't had escaping powder to be a problem. The removable hopper on the Pro Auto is very handy. Once set I have rarely found the powder charge to change unless you are using a real fluffy powder  - as the hopper empties, the charge may change a little. I try to keep the hopper topped off to avoid this.

I like the Lee factory crimp die for my auto loads but don't often use them for my revolver loads.

I usually prep and deprime my cases at a different time. Then expand, charge, seat crimp in another batch.

[Siskiyou]

I have two turret  presses on my bench now days.  I have a Lyman Spar-T turret press that I purchased in 1968 or 1969.  Having the multiple stations has been handy with rifle and handgun ammunition.  I have loaded a lot of ammunition with it, and a great improvement over the Lee Loader.  I still used the Lee Loader when travelling.

The discontinued Spar-T press was a little short on leverage and after close to 40 years of service I supplemented it with a Lyman Mag-TII press.  The Mag-TII press has far more leverage, and it has been dedicated to rifle cartridges and the old Spar-T to handgun cases.

I like the multi-station press, once set up operations are rather clean, and many times I have dies in the press for more than one cartridge.  I color code the dies with different color electricians tape.  I normally keep a Lee decapping die in each press.

One of my brother’s has a couple of large cast “C” press on his bench.