9mm Luger die set

[parastoo]

Hi,
    So I found a 9mm Luger Lyman premium 3-die set for sale. Do I also need or should I buy a separate taper crimp die?
Thanks,
            Mark

[lewmed]

 I don't know about current production but it used to be Lyman's four die 9mm set that had the taper crimp die.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

The third die will be a combination seating/taper crimping die. I used a simple 3 die 9mm set from RCBS with fine results for years before buying my XL750. Some people like the 4th die and you can buy one if you want I just never saw the need for it.

[dwhite]

"Need" - no. "Want" - maybe.

The seating die can also crimp. BUT consider how this works. Lowering the ram causes the bullet to be pushed down into the case while simultaneously the crimper is exerting inward pressure against the neck of the case and, thus, also against the bullet. Thus the lower you get, the harder the case neck "squeezes" the bullet.

With a separate crimping die, the seater only seats the bullet to the correct depth and nothing else. Then everything is crimped in the crimping die. If you do this, make sure you back out the crimper in the seating die (it makes no sense to crimp in both stations).

This is not essential and if money is tight you'll be fine with the 3 die set. My personal preference is to go with the Hornady 3 die set PLUS adding the Lee Factory Crimp die.

[parastoo]

Hi,
    So the die set is from a vendor in Canada. I forgot to see how much postage would be before I asked this question. It turns out that postage would be something like $50.00 so I'm still looking for dies.
Mark

[lewmed]

Ebay has several sets for sale both new and used but many are over priced

[Wobbly]

Hi,
    So I found a 9mm Luger Lyman premium 3-die set for sale. Do I also need or should I buy a separate taper crimp die?

It totally depends upon what type press you're using. So no one can answer your question until you provide all the requested information.

[parastoo]

Hi,
     I've got a Rock Chucker  Supreme.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

Hi,
     I've got a Rock Chucker  Supreme.

Having to swap the die out for each operation I would personally see how things work out with a 3 die set for starters. Once the seating/crimp die is set for the bullet you are using you don't have to readjust it again unless you change to a different bullet.

[bullet45acp]

This...

9mm is not a straight walled case - it tapers - so getting the crimp right is more critical than true straight walled pistol brass.

I am a big fan of the Lee Taper Crimp Die - it adds a level of control over the crimp that a combined seating crimping die cannot.
That being said I have found it doesn't really like lead bullets, a simpler Hornady Taper Crimp die may be better if you are loading lead bullets.

As far as dies go - I find they all work - i have some super expensive Reddings, some standard Hornady, and my 9mm dies are Lee...
Do I like the Redding dies better - perhaps a little but, perhaps because I know what I spent on them...

Just my $.02

JAG

"Need" - no. "Want" - maybe.

The seating die can also crimp. BUT consider how this works. Lowering the ram causes the bullet to be pushed down into the case while simultaneously the crimper is exerting inward pressure against the neck of the case and, thus, also against the bullet. Thus the lower you get, the harder the case neck "squeezes" the bullet.

With a separate crimping die, the seater only seats the bullet to the correct depth and nothing else. Then everything is crimped in the crimping die. If you do this, make sure you back out the crimper in the seating die (it makes no sense to crimp in both stations).

This is not essential and if money is tight you'll be fine with the 3 die set. My personal preference is to go with the Hornady 3 die set PLUS adding the Lee Factory Crimp die.

[Wobbly]

I've got a Rock Chucker  Supreme.

Then you only want a 3-die set. You'll be doing Seating and Crimping in the same die.

The reason is that in a single-stage press, like the Rock Chucker, if you crimp in a separate die you will soon tire of having to place every round back in the press for one simple additional operation.

I like single-stage presses, but you cannot imagine how LONG it takes or how utterly BORING it gets to load 200 pistol rounds. Your time is not taken up with reloading. All your time is spent in "material handling"; that is... moving cartridge cases, 1 at a time, from one stack to another.

With 3 dies you have to handle each and every cartridge 3 times. That's a total of 600 "touches". If you do crimping in a 4th die, then your "material handling" zooms out to 800 touch times. You've just increased your boredom by 25% !! No one does that... not even stupid people.

Just saying. 

[gifbohane]

Parastoo

Hey, I might have some stuff to help you out. Use the icon inside the bar at the left and send me an email to learn more."

[dwhite]

I will amend my earlier recommendation. Wobbly is absolutely correct. I didn't ask about the type of press you had (my mistake). With a single-stage press you absolutely want to stick with a 3-die set for the reasons Wobbly explained.

If you continue reloading, some day you will likely upgrade to a progressive multi-station press. When you do, then it might be desirable to add the separate crimping die. They're relatively cheap and, IMHO, useful.

[SoCal]

I have found that combination seating/crimp dies work fine with jacketed bullets, the jacket is harder then a lead bullet.  That said with careful adjustment it will work on lead.  With a progressive press I prefer (NOT must have) 4 station die sets.

I agree with Dwhite "need no...want yes."