I'm loading 8x56R cast rounds (M95). I can't get a crimp on the case with the Lee two die set. Lee does make a factory crimp for that round but no one has one. Any suggestions for another caliber die that might work?
I'm loading 8x56R cast rounds (M95). I can't get a crimp on the case with the Lee two die set. Lee does make a factory crimp for that round but no one has one. Any suggestions for another caliber die that might work?
I don't, but don't understand why the regular set won't do the job. If you're going to shoot them off a bench at a range you can single load them and you won't need the crimp. Not much help, I'm afraid.
DG
I got fairly good neck tension by running the loaded case into a 7.5x55 seating die (decapper removed). It's not perfect, but at least the rounds won't pull forward or push inward.
I meant 7.5x55 sizing die with he decapper removed.
Last edited by Battis; 06-02-2021 at 08:43 AM.
...maybe a 8x57js LeeFactoryCrimp could work ...
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DG
I did try a 7x57 die and it worked OK. Maybe I'll try a 8x57.
if I remember correctly, for me it had worked, used it with a bullet of about 200 grs., .329 Lee mold then sized at .323, G.C., Lee Alox lube, for reduced loads on a friend's old Steyr.
That's the bullet I'm using. I like Lee products but I'm not impressed with this die set. If you seat the bullet at the correct OAL, you cannot remove the loaded cartridge from the seater die without turning the die up higher. And the crimp does not exist in the seater die. But, the sizer works, so I'll figure out the crimp.
I'd get one but no one has any for sale.
I don't have the exact measurements on hand, and I usually do not reload 8x56R, but I wonder if a seater-crimp die 8x57Mauser without inserting plug can solve the problem. it would be interesting to try a loaned one, even from another brand...
You might be able to remove the decapping pin from your sizing die and use it.
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7br aka Mark B.
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Further up I said that I used the 7.5x55 seating die with the decapper removed. I meant 7.5x55 sizing die with decapper removed.
That worked (as would using the 8x56R sizing die) but the bullet has a perfect groove for a rolled crimp. I'll find a factory 8x56R crimp die eventually.
But, with the light loads I plan to use, the tampered crimp from the sizing dies should be enough. If I fatten the bullets (Beagle method), which I'll probably do, that'll give more neck tension.
I use the Oldfeller Frankenstein boolit and had Lee open up the internal of the seat die to get the boolit to fit through - I called them and they asked me to send the die and some boolits so I did and they immediately realized the problem. Don't know if this became the standard going forward or not. I have no problem crimping in the re-cut die.
Wayne the Shrink
There is no 'right' that requires me to work for you or you to work for me!
I called Lee Precision. The tech told me that the reason a loaded 8x56R round won't clear the bottom of the seating die when advancing the press is because I'm using the Lee VALUE turret press, which has a case length limit. The Lee CLASSIC press doesn't have that limitation. No big deal - just remove the ratchet rod and advance it by hand.
He said that the seating die I'm using is a crimp die, and it should crimp. He told me to use Magic Marker on the case mouth to see if the case is being crimped. I did, and it's not going far enough into the seating die to reach the crimp.
If I remove the seating stem and put a case into the bottom of the die (off the press, no shell holder) I can pound the case into the die far enough to get a crimp. The shell holder keeps this from happening when it's in the press. I think the die body is too long.
An 8x57 case is 2.24" long. An 8x56R case is 2.19" long. The 8x56r definitely wouldn't reach the crimp of an 8x57 die.
Lee is at least 6 months out for most dies that are out of stock.
He said I could send the die back with a dummy round. I can imagine the turn around time on that.
I'm thinking that I could remove some of the bottom of the seating die to allow the case to reach the crimp.
Or you can trim the top side of the shellholder so that the case can advance farther into the seating die.
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I thought about trimming the shell holder but I'd have to remove way too much. The die body is just too long, as if they intended to make an 8x57 (or whatever die). The inside of the die is fine. If I took off the thickness of a shell holder from the bottom it'd work. Famous last words...
The smartest thing to do would be to send it back to Lee.
I like quick and easy fixes. I fired up the bench grinder and took off some of the bottom of the die body. That's all it took. It's not pretty, but it works. The Lee tech told me that the crimp is a mix of taper and roll crimps.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |