Crimping with Lee Loader

[Bridger]

I attempted to load some ammo up for my 30-30 with a lee loader I just got. However, it seems to be impossible to put any kind of a crimp on the bullet. The bullets are 170 grain Sierra flat points. This is the first time I have ever used a lee loader so to start with I thought it was just me, but I am starting to wonder about the bullets. No matter how you do it you can push the bullet into the case with your thumb. Frusterating. Have y'all ever had this problem?

[bmtshooter]

I have occasionally seen problems with Lee's quality control. Worst was a press I purchased that was not threaded to accept the dies. They did replace it, but I had to pay to ship it to them. To start with though, I'd check to make absolutely sure the cartridge case length was within the acceptable specification range.

[Rusty]

Just to ask, You are using the right side of the die, right?

[harry]

I would look to your resize die, and then on to the other. I don't have any Lee dies that after sizing you can push a bullet in with your thumb.

[AJMD429]

You are talking about the little kit you use a 'mallet' to whack, right...???

I remember it took me a bit to learn but after I got the hang of it I loaded .44 Mag and 6mm Remington on them with great success.

I do believe they are even more 'case length sensitive' than the average press-and-die setup, though.

Keep us posted.

[Hawkeye2]

Are you using the Lee Loader system that requires a rubber mallet? They are pretty simple and shouldn't give you any trouble providing you have seated the bullet to the crimping grove. You might want to consider one of their case trimmers too, very easy to use and inexpensive. You can call their customer service which is exceptional. The last time I did I talked with a girl who had a pleasant voice, upbeat personality and was very knowledgeable of their products. I began reloading with the green stuff in the mid 60's and for the last 20 years all my equipment has been Lee with no quality issues.


From the instructions:

"Crimping Bullets
It may be necessary to crimp the bullets for
tubular magazine guns. This is easily done in
the opposite end of the loading tool. Be sure to
protect the primer with the decapping chamber
when tapping on the case end. Use several light
taps until the desired crimp is formed. Do not
attempt to crimp bullets that do not have a
crimping groove."

[Pete44ru]

"Do not attempt to crimp bullets that do not have a crimping groove.""

The bullets you're seating DO have a crimping groove, right ?



.

[RIHMFIRE]

I just had some 30-30 sierra 170 FP shipped to me yesterday
and was going to load some today...and they do have a crimping groove..
if yours dont have the groove....they are ment for bolt actions for the
300 savage, or 30-40 krag, 308, 30-06, 300s, etc....

Are you using a Lee factory crimping die?...
I use my Lee dies in a rock chucker...
and when i get to the crimping stage..
I will usually have to adjust the die slightly to get the desired crimp
for different types of brass that i use...federals, winchester and remingtons...
if i dont get a proper crimp, i can tell by the pressure on the handle...

[Pisgah]

Even if you use NO crimp, you should not be able to push the bullet in with your thumb. Review how you are sizing the case. Insufficient sizing means a lack of neck tension, and neck tension is what really does most of the job of holding the bullet in place.

[Rusty]

If all else fails try doing a search on youtube. There are several examples of loading with a Lee Loader there. IIRC I think one of them features Richard Lee himself.

[Bridger]

Yup, I am certain I am using the right end to crimp. But since all my loading experience has been with a press and straight wall handgun cartridges, I got a much more experienced loader (who has used the lee loader quite a bit) to help me trouble shoot it. He never could make it crimp either. It just won't hang on to the bullet. He did mess around with a couple of bullets though and put a slightly deeper crimp groove on them with a lathe and then all is good. However, I am wanting to try it out with some different bullets and see what happens....from what yall have said I am not sure that something isn't wrong with my kit. Though I don't know how that could have happened.

Just to clarify the groove is now about .003" instead of around .001" deep. Very strange situation.