No, I mean I use the Dillon sizing and seating dies with the Lee factory crimp die. And it does fix the bulge problem due to Glocks non supported super loose chambers causing extra bulges.
The reason is that the PISTOL version of the Lee Factory Crimp die is more than a crimp die. It includes a carbide sizing ring in it to size “after the fact” as well.
(This extra “sizing” function is not in the rifle factory crimp dies, just the handgun ones. You will notice the handgun ones are typically more expensive than the rifle ones by a significant amount and the reason is the carbide sizing ring).
While the mouth of the factory sizing die is not radiused, you have less issue with it on the crimp stage than the sizing stage since the bullet that is already seated acts as a kind of guide to get the bullet into the die correctly.
Let’s say you load 500 rounds in one hour (I’ve loaded as many as 600 in 1 hour on a 550 once everything was set up). You’ll pull the handle 500 times in 1 hour. That’s 500 times that ball that looks like a shift knob will be pressing into the palm of your hand (dominant hand if you’re a rightie). That’s right where the nerve bundle is. That’s 500 times your wrist will be overcoming the friction & force on the knob to rotate as you run the lever through it’s stroke. Now double all that because you have the upstroke as well. For me, the roller handle is worth every penny. I prefer it over the triangleish shaped plastic handle, because I don’t like the way those points dig into the inside bend of my knuckles, but I also don’t reload in the cold, so it may be better under those conditions.
I agree it is the most worthwhile update there is. The ball end rubbing in your palm gets old. However, on a budget, you can always add it in later.
The “triangleish” one is almost round. Just bulged on the triangle points. If you can you should try each one to see how they fit – if you know anyone in your area with Dillon gear… The plastic (triangleish one) does not bother me at all and in fact fits my hand “better” but other people may not like it. One of those personal preference things. Most of my presses have the round aluminum ones (an older black version on one of them!) but one has the plastic and for those presses that don’t yet have them will be getting the plastic ones when I get around to it. (As a dealer you accumulate stuff)
I didn’t know ANY of that. Thank you! I do know that Dillon dies leave my 9mm brass bulged, though it seems to gauge and shoot just fine…of course I’m shooting it through my Glock again.
LSHD,
I’m in the same boat you are and have been scouring the net for days soaking up all the info I can find. I will also reload 9mm and .223 and want to buy once and of good quality. I have the fortune of living close to Dillon and Cabelas so I plan on visiting them shortly to tinker with a few presses.
While digging around I found some good videos that explained how to reload .223 from start to finish. Its a 13 part series but worth a look for anyone that doesn’t know squat about reloading (like me) but wants to get into it. It gave me a good idea of what I’m getting into, at least for rifle cases. I wish I would’ve watched it a few days ago…my eyes are screen scorched. :blink: