New to reloading and just have a question on seating/crimp dies. I don't want this to end up a green is better, blue is better, red is better as everyone has their likes and dislikes. I'm just looking for some unbiased advice . . .
First off, I'm reloading 38/357 - pretty simple I know. I started off getting a 4 die set from Lee . . .
One of the things I'm not understanding is the "4 die" thing . . . . I'm getting ready to set up my turret press and before I start my actual reloading, I don't understand why there is a seating/crimp die and a "factory crimp die". If my understanding is correct, the seating/crimp die will seat the bullet AND put a crimp in the mouth of the case. . . . the factory crimp will put a rolled crimp on it. If you size/deprime the case, bell with the expansion die and then seat the slug and at the same time it crimps - why the factory crimp die? As I read the instructions with the die set, the factory crimp die will form the roll crimp that you want as well as "size" the finished cartridge on the way in and out of the die. So I'm wondering . . . . is it really necessary to use the factory crimp die? If the seating die seats the slug, forms the crimp and establishes the COAL . . . isn't the crimp already done or is it just "started" and it needs to be "finished" on the factory crimp die?
That leads to question 2 - I'm going to load in batches and I'm not concerned about putting out large quantities in a short time. Is it better to shim the seating die up higher in the press, adjust the seater so that it seats the bullet in the right position for crimp and COAL (this would set the area that wouldl normally perform the crimp in the seating die higher than the case throat) and then perform the crimp as a separate operation in the factory crimp die?
Question 3 - First, I have nothing against the Lee dies or any other makes. I'm trying to put together reloading equipment so I can reload when I'm in MI and in AZ without having to cart stuff back and forth. I have a RCBS Jr single stage for AZ but I want to pick up another set of dies for 38/357. For the simple cartridge that it is, what recommendations can you make for a brand to buy that perhaps would be better - i.e. as far as "reloading steps" go? I'm willing to spend more (than the Lee's) to get a good set that will be a pleasure to use but am unsure of if one make has better features than others? I want carbide but I see a variety of die sets - some with three and some with four - what is the better way to go? I'm loading cast SWC and Round Nose. Here, I have the turret press (Lee) and another RCBS JR - I'm planning on using the JR for any sizing, case trimming and depriming with a universal depraver and the other steps performed on the turret. In AZ, I'll be limited to the single stage JR but again, the time to reload is not an issue.
Sorry for the length of this . . . thanks for the help, explanations and advice.