Question 1

what exactly are the four dies this comes with the picture show the factory crimp die but the description does not?

Accepted Answer

Jeremy -- Hi, the four dies are --#1 Full Sizer Die(Sizes the brass case back to standard specs. and decap's spent primers) -- #2 Expander Die(expands the mouth of the brass shell casing, just enough to have bullet fit into shell case opening, also has a powder funnel that feeds powder straight through to your shell casing, if you chose to fill the powder that way)-- #3 Bullet Seater and Crimper Die, this seats your bullet to the correct depth you're loading recipe dictates and it also is a feed die for use with the Lee automatic bullet feeder) -- #4 the Factory crimp die, the case is sized again and crimped to the level of crimp you select, this is the best part of the die set, you get a factory standard crimp, assures every case will freely chamber in any standard gun. With this Factory Crimp Die, your bullet seat die #3 does not have to do double duty of crimping also, only set for seating the bullet to the correct depth)Terrific Die Set, the Factory Crimp Die is a bonus with this set ----- Dennis

Question 2

Is the seating die in this set the same as the one in the 3-die set that can both seat and crimp if you choose?

Accepted Answer

YES. the short answer is the Seating die CAN be used to crimp. Some things to consider when choosing the 3 or 4 die set. There is much discussion about whether you should crimp and seat in the same operation or seat in a separate stoke with the old seating/crimp die. it's possible to crush or bulge the case if you set the the die up wrong because you could be still pushing the bullet into the case at the same time the die is crimping so the edge of the case digs into the bullet and the case is crushed as the bullet keeps coming down and the case keep going up so to speak. this is why some seat and then reset the die so that it crimps but doesn't touch the bullet with the seating plug. you should know that when you are crimping straight walled cases you should only be removing the bell or expansion you put in the case with the powder through die. there should be VARY little if any bite into the bullet with the case as you might do with a heavy magnum revolver round like .357 or .44 mag. Millions of round have been loading without issue with the old seater/crimp die even when seating and crimping in the same operation when the die is set up properly. The factory crimp die uses a collet design that "squeezes" the case down evenly all the way around instead of a ridge in the die that curls the rim of the case in towards the bullet so there is no chance of crushing or bulging the case. another benefit is that this die can "resize" any bulges in the loaded case from oversized cast bullets to fix any feeding issues in the gun. contrary to prior answers, yes the seater die is that same as the one in the 3 die set and YES it can crimp. But if you want the benefits of the factory crimp or are going to crimp in a separate operation anyway buying the 4 die set is cheaper than buying the 4th die separately.

Question 3

i think i saw on utube that the 9mm lee reloading dies can also be used  to reload 380 ammo. does anyone know if this is true or not?

Accepted Answer

No. Is the answer. I own both of the 4 die sets. I reload 9mm and .380. I tried to load the 380 using the 9mm stuff and ended up buying the 380 set.

Question 4

Since these are carbide dies, is lubrication of the cases required when re-sizing?

Accepted Answer

According to Lee it is not required. I've done over 2,000 rounds now with zero lubrication, not a single issue.

ASIN	B00162TEWG
Best Sellers Rank	#52,938 in Sports & Outdoors ( See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors ) #160 in Gunsmithing Tools
Brand Name	Lee Precision
Color	Grey
Customer Reviews	4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (2,069)
Date First Available	June 8, 2005
Included Components	4 piece die set, shellholder, storage box
Item Dimensions LxWxH	6 x 5 x 2 inches
Item Package Dimensions L x W x H	5.83 x 4.76 x 2.36 inches
Item Weight	0.49 kg
Manufacturer	Sportsman Supply Inc.
Material	Other
Model Name	90963
Model Year	2011
Number of Items	3
Package Weight	0.78 kg
Part Number	90963
Sport Type	Hunting
Style	Gunsmithing Tools
Suggested Users	unisex-adult

LEE Precision 90963 9-mm Carbide 4-Die Set Luger (Grey)

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Common Questions