Help with 45-70 Lee Dies

[nmkid]

Hoping there are some 45-70 guys here. This is my first foray into loading for a 45-70. There will be minimal loading for this rifle, so I am not going into full bore. Having said that, I will be going with a Lee die set. My question is...Is the Lee Leverevolution Factory Crimp Die needed for the 325 gr Lvr bullets?

 

[DShortt]

The crimp die is recommended so that the seating depth does not change from the loaded rounds getting 'compressed' in the magazine tube on lever action rifles during firing.
If your rifle happens to be a single shot, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[std7mag]

I have a Henry Single Shot Brass in 45-70, and still use the crimp die.

 

[nmkid]

Henry Lever action.

 

[nmkid]

So you do the regular seating and then use the crimp die?

 

[DShortt]

So you do the regular seating and then use the crimp die?

Most Lee seating dies are designed to crimp while seating. Don't quote me on this, but if I recall correctly, you adjust the seating die to touch the shell holder with the press ram raised, then lower the ram and adjust the die body down an additional 1/2 turn. Back the die off slightly if you decide you want less crimp, in slightly for more crimp. Roughly 1/4 turn usually makes an obvious difference.
If you are using a separate crimp die, the adjustment process is the same.
You'll need to research the instruction sheet to determine if the seating die also crimps. It's been awhile, so the built-in crimp might apply only to Lee pistol dies. I can't remember specifically.
All die and shell holder combinations seem to be slightly different. If you decide to check the seating die for a crimp, I would start with the seating die touching the shell holder with the ram raised, then seat your bullet to the desired depth. Then back the seating stem out quite a bit and start adjusting the seater die in 1/4 turn at a time until you achieve the desired crimp. Then adjust your seating stem down to firmly touch the bullet and you should be all set. You may find that when the seating die is set to touch the shell holder, no additional crimp is needed.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The Lee micro seating die will seat and crimp at the same time. However I think the separate crimp die is the way to go. Because the Hornady bullet doesn't have a cannelure (pretty sure) and you want a good firm grip.

 

[DShortt]

The Lee micro seating die will seat and crimp at the same time. However I think the separate crimp die is the way to go. Because the Hornady bullet doesn't have a cannelure (pretty sure) and you want a good firm grip.

I agree. I'm sure there's a reason Lee started including a separate crimp die.

 

[nmkid]

Thanks, all. To simplify (for me) things, I went ahead and ordered a seater, sizer, and a crimp die recommended for the Hornady FTX 325 gr bullets.

 

[charlie b]

I think the reason they started with separate crimp dies is because many of us use a separate die for crimping, especially taper crimps.

In the old days I'd use a regular seat die backed off to not crimp. Seat the bullets. Then back off the seat stem and readjust to crimp. It was a PITA, but, IMHO the only way to get a good taper crimp. The separate Lee dies were another reason for me to buy their sets.

Roll crimps I could go either way. The motion of a roll crimp I think is enhanced a bit when you seat and crimp at same time. The Lee seating dies will do this if you set them up for it.

 

[std7mag]

If you're using the crimp die, you run the ram up on the seat die then back off 1-1/2 turns.

This allows it to seat without crimping.