Roughly Finished Crimping Die

Hello all,

I have a relatively new tapered crimp die that is roughly finished and impacting the quality of the cartridges produced with it.  Can the interior be honed/polished in such a manner that it remains concentric and with correct dimensions?  Will it just be quicker and cheaper to get a new die?

Thanks.

Jim

I have had a 45cal Lee Taper Crimp die with rough internal surface. Fortunately I own a small lathe, where i chucked it and used some rolled fine sandpaper to smooth it. It only took a few minutes instead of sending it back to Lee and replace. Just polishing the internals on the rotating die will not not modify the dimensions and in the worst case will only require another quarter turn of die adjustment while crimping. You could use a drill press or handheld drill to do the same, but you will need to hold the die and spin the polishing sandpaper wrapped around the dowel to the same effect. No need to remove much metal, just polish.

send it back, the reloading manufacturer's are some of the best with customer service give them a call and tell them you have a issue.

Thanks, gents.

I appreciate the responses.

Jim

+1
Contact maker and send it back.
Don't see rough crimp die as being a big problem--not like a rough expander.

noylj wrote:Don't see rough crimp die as being a big problem--not like a rough expander.

Hello noylj,

It scarfs up the exterior of the case mouth (top 1/16 inch) and abrades off small bits of brass.  The rounds still function but aren't up to the standards set by my other tool-heads/dies.

Jim

spursnguns wrote:

noylj wrote:Don't see rough crimp die as being a big problem--not like a rough expander.

Hello noylj,

It scarfs up the exterior of the case mouth (top 1/16 inch) and abrades off small bits of brass.  The rounds still function but aren't up to the standards set by my other tool-heads/dies.

Jim

Sounds just like the Lee FC die I have.  I don't use it any more.  My fav is an RCBS TC seater without the seater.