Lee 4 Set or 3 Set Die 9mm

kevinmcc2 · Sep 25, 2012

Would you guys suggest me getting the 3 set or 4 set Lee die set?

I have a single stage press.

Also I am going to be using Winchester 231 Ball Powder. Now the book I have says use CCI 500 SPR but I purchased Winchester Small Pistol Primers.... Is that okay?

MrApathy · Sep 25, 2012

would go with the 4 dies set
switching cci 500 small pistol primer for winchester spp is generally fine
what are you using to prime your cases?

Twoboxer · Sep 25, 2012

I'd buy the 4 die set, even with a single stage press. If you decide to crimp, it would be better done with the fourth die separate from setting the bullet. This also presumes you are using clad/jacketed and *not* lead bullets. My understanding is lead bullets are intentionally oversized, and the Lee FCD would also size the bullet down.

Using any brand name small pistol primer is fine since you will be starting with low powder weights and working up from there. There are inevitably some differences between primers, but unless you are close to maxes or mins on other parameters, the differences won't be significant.

kevinmcc2 · Sep 25, 2012

Okay thanks, the 4 set die comes with everything from the 3 set die, plus the Factory Crimp Die Correct?

I am using the Lee Auto Prime XR. And using a RCBS deburring tool for the Military Crimped Brass. So far it works well. Did about 100 rounds.

Also I forgot to clean the primer pockets out of these rounds... Will this cause a problem? All the Primers are seated correctly it feels like..

dickttx · Sep 25, 2012

I would definitely recommend the four die set. If changing bullet types you only have to adjust the seating die, not the crimp die. I use the FCD for 9mm, 38 Super, 38/357, 41 Mag, 45 ACP, and 45 Colt and have used jacketed, plated, and lead bullets. Never had a lead bullet squeezed down. If I were trying to load a .358 bullet in a .355 case I suppose it is possible.
I am going to find out soon, as I have ordered a .358 bullet mold to cast for my 38 Super. The swagging down of the bullet wouldn't come from the crimp portion of the die, but from the carbide sizing ring at the bottom of the die. If that ring is the correct size then the cartridge wouldn't fit in the chamber without it being swagged down.

kevinmcc2 · Sep 25, 2012

Just called Cabela's they have the 4 set for 43 bucks... in stock. About to run down and pick it up..

Now when I get home instead of using the bullet seat/crimp die I would just use the bullet seater as a seater only and not use the crimp right? I would use the FCD to crimp all mine?

Prof_Fate · Sep 25, 2012

Think for a moment about the FCD and crimping and bullets and chambers.
What does the 9mm headspace on? The front mouth edge of the case, right? So if the bullet overhangs this because it's of a larger diameter how will the round fit in the chamber let alone headspace correctly?

Go measure things - the bore is what, .355" right? What is the case mouth after crimping? .380, or .15 larger than the bullet diameter. So no, the FCD won't resize your bullet.

A rimmed cartridge is in theory a different issue - like 38/357, but even here the chamber is larger than the bore diameter - it has to be or you could put a 357 length round into a 38 chamber.
The bullet is what, .357 or .358 but the case at the crimp is .380 - again, much larger than the bullet.

Prof_Fate · Sep 25, 2012

kevinmcc2 said:
Just called Cabela's they have the 4 set for 43 bucks... in stock. About to run down and pick it up..

Now when I get home instead of using the bullet seat/crimp die I would just use the bullet seater as a seater only and not use the crimp right? I would use the FCD to crimp all mine?

You deprime/size, then prime and bell for powder, load the powder.
Seat bullet in the seating die.
then crimp in the FCD.

When/if you change bullets and the OAL changes the only change you make is to the bullet seating die. All the rest can stay the same.

You'll find it faster to I think to deprime/size lots of cases then when you're ready to load you have that step done.

I find that you'll have to seat 5-10 bullets and then recheck the seating die as it can take abit to 'settle in' but after that it's dead on.

Granddad · Sep 25, 2012

Call me the odd man out. I've reloaded 9s for about 30 yrs and always used 3 die set. Either should work fine, but with a single stage you will have to run all of your reloads through 4 dies (probably increasing your reloading time by 30%). The time spent doing this is going to be much more than the time taken to readjust your seating/crimp die. By now you might have bought the 4-die, so just ignore me (my wife always does). As to your other questions, there is no reason to clean pistol primer pockets unless, perhaps, you are a competition bullseye shooter. If you switch SPP brands, it is doubtful you will have any problems, although if you are loading near max and switch, it would be wise to back off your load and then work it back up.

Twoboxer · Sep 25, 2012

kevinmcc2 said:
Just called Cabela's they have the 4 set for 43 bucks... in stock. About to run down and pick it up..

When you need more "things", I'd suggest looking at Natchez or even Midway whose shipping is less if you only need a few small things. You'll save money . . . like the 4-die carbide set is $37 at Natchez.

kevinmcc2 said:
Now when I get home instead of using the bullet seat/crimp die I would just use the bullet seater as a seater only and not use the crimp right? I would use the FCD to crimp all mine?

Yes, follow the instructions for setting that 3rd die and do not make the final adjustments for crimp. Then follow the instructions for seating the FCD to achieve a "light crimp". Compare the output to factory ammo and adjust as you feel appropriate.

Lee 4 Set or 3 Set Die 9mm

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