I'm a noob to reloading. At present, I plan to load only for handguns, mostly hollow-based wadcutters to start, but also 85 gr. round noses for my 32 S&W (mainly because I can't find wadcutters that small). I was under the impression that Lee dies are fine for cast boolits, but I was looking at a certain brand of hard cast bullets and found this:
Thou Shalt Not Flare Case Mouths For Cast Bullets! Period! You MUST use the correct technique for preparing the case mouths to receive cast bullets without damaging them. And that is with the use of the Lyman 2 Step M Expander Die. This die imparts a 2 step I.D. into the case mouth. It creates a slip fit nest for the bullet to slide into. Thus preventing and eliminating the tipping of the bullet and the premature closure of the case mouth onto the bullet during the seating operation. Lyman 4 die sets are the only dies manufactured that will reload cast bullets and jacketed bullets interchangeably and correctly. And this is due to the 2 Step M die that is incorporated into their 4 die sets.
So now I feel like my plans to cast my own should be put on hold at least until I get some questions answered.
1. I've been using a Lee die for the wadcutters, opening the case mouth so the bullet easily fits in about 1/3 of the way and doesn't get taper crimped until it is just barely protruding from the case. The minimum COL for the load is the case length. Was doing it this way a mistake? I've been unable to find specific instructions for seating wadcutters
2. I've been using the same Lee die for the round noses and I haven't noticed any damage to the nose, but I'm concerned that I crimped the bases too much. How would I know if I'm crimping too tightly?
3. It seems to me that the bullets are sliding in very easily. How would I know if it was too easily?
Thanks for any advice you can offer.