Lee Factory Crimp Die

[C-Money]

 Taking advise from Hunt-WA members, I purchased a 30-30, Lee Factory Crimp Die. I set it up per instructions and youtube videos. Question is, how much resistance should I feel at cam over? I feel in the down stroke of the handle, as the die tightens around the neck, it is applying a little pressure as it crimps, but not a lot. I believe this should be normal, and I am seeing a little bit of crimp on the end of the neck of the case. I am new to rifle crimping. and I do not know anyone who has experience with crimping. This is probably a hard question to answer over the internet, but thanks for help in advance.

[Stein]

Yeah, kind of hard to explain.  It's not a bunch of pressure, maybe similar to bullet seating pressure?  You can feel it mildly squeeze the case and then hit the stop.  I would double check the manual and if you have it set up like they say you should it's good to go.

[jrebel]

I crimp the majority of my rifle rounds these days.  There will not be a ton of pressure felt.  The key to even crimp across all your ammo is making sure all your brass is trimmed to the same length.....every time.  Set the crimp die up and tighten the locking ring.  Mark your crimp die with a sharpie and start crimps at 1/8 turns and move up in 1/8 turns till you find the crimp you want.  Usually 1/8 to 5/8 turn is great plenty. 

If you need help setting up your crimp die, let me know and I can try to explain it.  Here is a pretty good video to watch that is super simple to understand. 

[C-Money]

Thanks for the replies....I like that video, that guy seems pretty cool. Based on everything, I must believe the die is applying a crimp.

[HighlandLofts]

I also crimp everything I load. For $20 or so you can't beat the Lee factory crimp dies.
Just make sure the cases are all the same size.and follpw the directions.

[chukardogs]

Always remember, brass is soft and 12 inches or more of leverage is substantial.
One of the earlier posters already said it but I'll say it again. I kinda thinks it's one of those plays that can change the outcome of the ball game. Case trimming is a biggie, and especially when crimping. The more consistent the amount of material you're moving is, the more consistent your crimps will be. Good luck

[hunter399]

You can always two stroke it.
I only crimp for AR rounds , half the time I forget anyway.
But if you want them crimped good ,run the rounds twice through the die.
Just remember consistency is the name of the game.
If you do it to one round,gotta do it to all.

[EnglishSetter]

Thanks for the replies....I like that video, that guy seems pretty cool. Based on everything, I must believe the die is applying a crimp.

The Lee factory crimp die isn't very length dependent.  At least it doesn't buckle cases.

You should see a distinct ring around the mouth when complete.  It should be obvious and witness will remain (less distinct) after firing.

Crimp once, turn case 180* and crimp again if you like.

[yakimanoob]

Very hard to communicate over the web.

Personally, I try to use factory ammo as a point of reference. Most of my 7/08 factory ammo has a very subtle but still visible crimp compared to my uncrimp'd reloads. A little pressure on the crimp stroke is plenty - just enough to feel it but not enough to require any muscle whatsoever.

If I can see marks where the 4 quarters of the crimp die don't come perfectly together, I imagine that's too much crimp. But I haven't done any real testing of any of this so 

[jrebel]

If you really want to see what the crimp looks like…..crimp a bullet, then pull the bullet and look at the crimp in the copper.   A little crimp goes a long way when it pertains to rifle rounds. 

Cast bullets usually like more crimp, especially in big revolvers. 

[C-Money]

Thanks again for the replies! I have some Speer 150gr hot core and Rem core-lokt bullets loaded. The cannelure on the Remington core-lokt and the Speer hot core were the same. Did not require any adjustment on the seating die or crimp die for me while loading. Looking forward to going to the range.

[C-Money]

The Speer bullets greatly out performed the Remington bullets over the same charge of IMR 3031 at 100 yards. The Speer bullet 3 shot group was two touching and a third that ended up 2" low. It was inline to where if the bullet was the same height as the other two, all 3 would have been close to touching. The Remington bullets were spread out a bit more. The two furthest apart were 3" laterally apart, and 3 " vertically apart, with the one in the middle. Factory or reloaded, this rifle does not seem to like the Remington bullets. I think I have found a good load for hunting using the Speers. If anyone is interested in seeing the targets I can post them.

[HighlandLofts]

My 243 Remington model 788 likes Hornady 100 grain SST bullets.

[Cougartail]

The Speer bullets greatly out performed the Remington bullets over the same charge of IMR 3031 at 100 yards. The Speer bullet 3 shot group was two touching and a third that ended up 2" low. It was inline to where if the bullet was the same height as the other two, all 3 would have been close to touching. The Remington bullets were spread out a bit more. The two furthest apart were 3" laterally apart, and 3 " vertically apart, with the one in the middle. Factory or reloaded, this rifle does not seem to like the Remington bullets.? I think I have found a good load for hunting using the Speers. If anyone is interested in seeing the targets I can post them.

Wow! A guy who admits to not shooting MOA!    What rifle and optics/sights are you using? My groups shrank by 1/2 just by putting a Primary Arms cyclops 1x on my 30-30.

[C-Money]

The Speer bullets greatly out performed the Remington bullets over the same charge of IMR 3031 at 100 yards. The Speer bullet 3 shot group was two touching and a third that ended up 2" low. It was inline to where if the bullet was the same height as the other two, all 3 would have been close to touching. The Remington bullets were spread out a bit more. The two furthest apart were 3" laterally apart, and 3 " vertically apart, with the one in the middle. Factory or reloaded, this rifle does not seem to like the Remington bullets.? I think I have found a good load for hunting using the Speers. If anyone is interested in seeing the targets I can post them.

Wow! A guy who admits to not shooting MOA!    What rifle and optics/sights are you using? My groups shrank by 1/2 just by putting a Primary Arms cyclops 1x on my 30-30.

I am dialing in a mint, mid 80s Marlin 30AS in 30-30. Its been a bit of a process. I put a Leupold Rifleman 2-7x33 on the rifle originally. I tried to use this scope on a .270win last fall. Could never get that scope to dial in on the 270win. Same issue followed the scope to the 30-30. Sent the scope into Leupold, and 4 or 5 weeks later, They sent me a new 2-7x33 VX=Freedom. Mounted up the new scope and it dialed in pretty good. I've tried the major brands of factory ammo in 150gr, none of them really stood out. Reloaded using 150gr Remington bullets, RL-15, and IMR 3031. Remington bullets grouped best with the 3031. Ordered the Speer bullets to try, and they shot tighter than the Remington using 3031. I think the Speer bullets with 3031 is a winner, I'd like to shoot another group at the range to make sure. I used my Grandfathers Marlin 30-30 as a kid, and tagged a few deer with it. Always liked the lever guns. Its been a fun project, and hope to put a tag on a deer with it some day.