Pistol Dies
The first die has a small pin that protrudes from the bottom. This is the Full Length Sizer and Decapper. It sizes the full case as you push the case into the die. At the top of the stroke it also pushes out the spent primer.
To set the die:
1. Back off the lock ring
2. Screw in the die until it touches the shell holder.
3. Lower the ram and shell holder and add 1/4 turn to the die.
4. Tighten the lock ring.
The case now needs to have a primer inserted. This takes place at the bottom of the ram stroke. As you lower the ram a primer is pushed into the case.
Next is the Powder Through Expander Die This die is hollow, which allows the powder measure to be mounted on top of the die, and then the powder charge can be dispensed through it. At the same time the case mouth is flared. Both operations take place at the top of the ram stroke.
To set the die:
1. Back off the lock ring
2. Screw in the die until it touches the shell holder.
3. Back the die out a quarter turn and tighten the lock ring.
4. Adjust the die height as per the case mouth flare you desire.
Now we proceed to the Bullet Seating Die. A bullet is placed on top of the cartridge case and the ram is raised to seat the bullet. The die is adjusted in the press frame to achieve the crimp desired. Bullet depth is adjusted by turning in the adjusting knob on top of the die. Both operations are preformed simultaneously so it may take a couple of tries to get things where you want.
To set the die:
1. Back off the lock ring and back off the bullet depth adjusting screw 3 turns.
2. Place a loaded round in the shell holder. Screw the die down until you feel it contact the cartridge. Tighten the lock ring. This should provide a light crimp.
3. With the ram still raised up, screw down the bullet seating adjusting knob until you again feel resistance. This should set the bullet at close to the proper depth.
4. Adjust the bullet depth by turning the adjusting knob on top of the die. Adjusting the die height changes the bullet depth.
Last is the Factory Crimp Die. This die performs a full length resizing, and crimps the bullet in place. It will not seat the bullet.
To set the die:
1. Screw in the die until it touches the shell holder and finger tighten the lock ring.
2. Now back it out the crimp adjusting screw, on top of the die. With a loaded round, raise the ram and cartridge into the die. Turn the adjusting screw down into the die until you feel the crimp ring contact the cartridge. Lower the ram and advance the adjusting screw 1/2 turn for a light crimp, or a full turn for a heavy crimp. Adjust to your liking.
The Factory Crimp Die This die does a full length resizing on the up stroke, removing any deformation caused by inserting the bullet. At the top of the stroke it applies a final crimp at the case mouth to assure the bullet is locked in place. Now on the down stroke the full case length is again resized to assure a consistent cartridge outer diameter. The type of crimp on the die depends upon the type of cartridge. With cases that headspace on the case mouth such as the 45ACP, the die essentially reduces the outer diameter of the case mouth into the bullet. On other cases, a roll crimp is applied.
