Help with .357 Sig setup

[jac714]

Color me terribly confused.

I am attempting to assist a friend with setting up a Dillon 550 for .357 Sig using a Redding Die set (Decap/Size, Seating) and a Lee Factory Crimp die.

The problem is the setup of the Factory Crimp Die, the rounds come out of the seating die at 1.135" which is the OAL in the Speer and Sierra Manuals, after the Factory Crimp die the round has grown to approx 1.240".

Can anyone shed any light on this and perhaps more important tell me how to make it work. The instructions for the Factory Crimp Die say screw it down until it hits the shell holder and then add a 1/4 turn. If I do that I cannot fully close the press.

I am so confused (and happy I have the Dillon Dies )

[Einthoven's Triangle]

Remember that the directions for the die is probably meant for a single stage press. Back off the die. Then carefully run some test rounds through the process so that you can incrementally increase the the "crimp". Then once you have achieved a comfortable crimp then start production........

[macphisto]

I have the four-piece Lee set for everything I reload (9, 38/357, and 45). I understand that .357 Sig is a whole different beast, but in my calibers I've found the directions for the factory crimp die provide for a far too heavy crimp. Like Einthoven said, back that puppy off.

[knievel]

I've reloaded thousands of 357SIG on the Dillon 550. The crimp is pretty sensitive to adjustment. Start off *way to light on the crimp. Cycle the press. Too light? Tighten it up a bit. Cycle the press. Too light? tighten it up. Lather, rinse, and repeat. You'll get it.

[prushin]

I think the problem is just with interpretation...You should screw the die in until it just touches the shell holder. Finger tighten the lock ring. Back out the crimp adjustment screw. Place a round with a seated bullet in the shell holder and raise it into the die. Turn the adjustment screw until you feel it touch the case mouth. Back the round out of the die and then turn the adjustment screw down 1/4 turn for your initial crimp.

[Pinnacle]

I am pretty sure that the adjustment on the LEE Di9e is the depth of the die into the die plate and not a scerw adjustment for the 357 SIG

It is a little itty bitty rifle shell. I cannot tell you hoe the darned thing would get LONGER after you run that through the die. Interesting!!!!

[jac714]

I think the problem is just with interpretation...You should screw the die in until it just touches the shell holder. Finger tighten the lock ring. Back out the crimp adjustment screw. Place a round with a seated bullet in the shell holder and raise it into the die. Turn the adjustment screw until you feel it touch the case mouth. Back the round out of the die and then turn the adjustment screw down 1/4 turn for your initial crimp.

That is not how I interpreted it, your way makes much more sense. I will try it.

Thanks

[pastorpaul]

i think, at least i hope, what prushin said is proper and right. that's the way i've set up my lee fcd s since i've been using them. pinnacle was the one who suggested them for me to start using and i'm glad he did. two separate steps (seating and then crimping) makes it esier to get it right rather than adjusting both steps in one die. i'm not sure i'll buy an fcd for every caliber i reload but i'm glad i've got one for my .40 s&w.
side note: i'm in the process of adapting the ejection wire on my hornady locknload ap so it will not interfere with the lee fcd. right now i have simply moved the wire out of the way. if i can get it bent just right i'll be extremely satisfied with this reloader, especially since i got the pistol drum and metering insert instead of using the standard rifle drum and insert.