LEE FACTORY CRIMP DIE - WORN OUT?

[Missouri Marshal]

Has anybody ever worn one out?  I have one in 38/357 about 2years old maybe 25,000 rounds run through it.  Today I was doing some loading and all the sudden it started buckling the cases.  Took it apart, cleaned it and it still buckes the cases. I had loaded about 800 rounds today and nothing on the press has changed.  Was working great intil the last 20-30 rounds.  Anybody ever seen this before?

[Silver Creek Slim]

I have not used mine anywhere near that long. Mine is working fine. Call Lee. They will probably replace it for free.
The phone # is 262-673-3075 .

Slim

[Howdy Doody]

I have many, many round crimped with mine in two calibers. No problems at all. I like the ease of adjustment a lot.

I do have one problem right now with a Lee product. I broke half of the screw driver slot on the valve stem for my pro 20 lead pot. I figured I would call and see if I can get another rod, but no answer on the phone and I can't find their email address on their website. I will try and call next week, they may be on vacation or something. Meanwhile I can still use my pot, but to twist the rod to stop the drips I have to use pliers in the pot. That kinda doesn't do it for me.
I am looking at the Lyman pot and may just get one of theirs now that I now know I enjoy casting so much. The Lee was a good place to start. 

[Advertising]

[Fightin Creek Slim]

Howdy, Howdy:
Iff'n you're thinking about movin up from the LEE 20 lb pot, Why not go bigtime and get one of those LP Gas Turkey Cookers for a lead pot?

[Fightin Creek Slim]

Missouri Marshal:
Sounds like maybe there is still something stuck in the die causing it to buckle cases. I'm only using factory crimp dies on bottlenecked high powered rifle cases and haven't had any problems so far, But I use a Lee Roll Crimping/Bullet seating Die for my pistol cases and I've had to tear it down several times and clean out the excess lube buildup in the die.

[Lucky Irish Tom]

M.M. I have never had any problem with mine, either the .38/.357 or the .45 I reckon Doodyville Dude is right about contacting them their email is info@leeprecision.com I would shine a bright light up there first and see if a bit of case material is stuck in the die!

[Howdy Doody]

Thanks for the email addy Tom. I got a fast reply and part number and was able to order the valve rod I needed.
Muchas gracias mi compadre 

[Lucky Irish Tom]

De nada mi compadre!

[Hemlock Mike]

Slim -

I use one of them turkey cookers with a big iron pot to melt mass quantities of wheel weights
to make ingots.  Works good fer me !!

Mike

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I have a lot of miles on my Lee factory crimp die over the last 4 or 5 years. No problems at all. I agree with the pards here that a call to Lee is in order. I'd love to know what the problem is when you find out. Please keep us advised.

[Missouri Marshal]

Well it seems to be ok now.  I don't think it was the die after all.  I think the head on my press was a little off.  I use a Lee Loadmaster and  I tightened the bolt that holds the head on the ram about a 1/4 turn and everything seems to be working now.  The head didn't feel loose but it must have been off just enough that the cases were entering the die crooked.  have to do some more loading this week so I guess I'll see what happens then.  Thanks to everyone for there input.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

My wife says my head has a few loose screws, too. It's OK to be a little off, now and then, though. Glad you got your problem corrected. Thanks for letting us know.

[Tricky Trina]

Honey,
  I've always told you you were a little off - you asked me to move in with ya!
Trina

[Tensleep]

Honey,
  I've always told you you were a little off - you asked me to move in with ya!
Trina

That may be the only right thing he's done in a while. 

LOL!!!!!

[Lucky Irish Tom]

You tell em Cuzzin Sleep!

[Tricky Trina]

Just ta let y'all know - he musta solved the problem... he loaded up over 300 rounds today without a hitch (so far as I can tell anywho).  Thanks again for the help!  Just goes to show, cowboys are ready and willing to help a pard!
Trina

[Book Miser]

I use a Loadmaster, and I've noticed that the nut holding the shell plate backs off a bit now and again, and allows it to index only part way.

Coulda been the problem.