After 29 years of reloading, I finally discover that RCBS is now making a combination bullet seater /taper crimper. Where have I been all these years? Am I the only one out here still using a 4 die setup, or should I switch to the combo. MidwayUSA sells both 9mm and 45acp. Any thing to save a step but what about quality?

Guess the 29 years says it all! I'm at 20 probably and didn't know there was ever a 4 die setup! The built-in taper crimp is slick, basically just a reducing cone at the top of the die, so you screw the die down to where you get what you want, then set your seater. You'll love it, don't wait any longer!

I still use a 4 die setup for .45 ACP but I also use a 3 die setup for 9 mm. I guess the original thought was if the taper crimping is taking place while the bullet was still being seated, it would be detrimental to best accuracy. In reality, the difference if any would be so small that few could actually tell using unsupported hand held shooting. If saving a step in your reloading is important to you, then by all means go with the 3 die setup. I don't load in large quantities, so I will stick with what I have. The extra step is no big deal. Quality will stay about the same with either die set. If you're looking towards shooting tighter groups with your reloads, schedule yourself for more range time.

When I used to load these two pistol cartridges on a single stage press, I used three dies. When I load them on the pregressive, the seating and crimping are performed as seperate steps.

I have been using a Lee factory crimp die on my 4th stage for quite awhile I like it because I set the bullet depth and then crimp it. Works super

I'm with Marshall Kane, I'll keep using the four dies.
Don't you have to be a bit tetched in the head to load 9mm?
I watched my buddy do it and it looks like a great way to cut a few new contours in my fingers.
Jim

Don't you have to be a bit tetched in the head to load 9mm? JimI have to admitt that those little cases and bullets are a pain to reload. To top it off, if I do a sloppy job of it, they tend not to want to fully seat in the chamber. I thought I was saving money by doing it myself but the price of 9mm has come down so much that I would be better off just buying it. Give me BIG cases anytime!

I'm with Marshall Kane, I'll keep using the four dies.
Don't you have to be a bit tetched in the head to load 9mm?
I watched my buddy do it and it looks like a great way to cut a few new contours in my fingers.
Jim

Not going to make me change what is working...but if I wasn't set up (or manage to wer out this set of dies), would give it a try.

Don't load a lot of 9mm right now...use hi-perfoamnce factory loads for any "serious" use and am still buring up a big buy of surpluse ammo for non-serious use. 9mm isn't my favorite to load, although the small size isn't keeping me from it (have loaded more .32acp than 9mm in the last few years).

Getting back to the original question of the 4th die, would you use three or four dies on the 45acp? I hear and read conflicting statements about this step. Do any other mfgs. list a 4th die for the 45acp?

It's just a matter of choice, yours. Either die set will work equally well for most shooting requirements. I already have a 4 die set, so for my needs, it works just fine. Others are happy with their three die sets and the lucky loaders who use a progressive find they have stations for four dies. Currently, RCBS has 3 die sets, Lee has either 3 or 4 die sets, Lyman has 4 die sets, while others such as Hornady and Redding offer 3 die sets with an optional taper crimp die. Perhaps hearing about some of these conflicting statements would clear up some of your doubts.

I have been using the Lee post size and crimp die for 45 and like it. It eliminates the occaisonal sticky feed problem when using mixed cases. Probably caused by a combination of oversize bullets and too thick case walls. I just load for IDPA type practice and am not overly worried about accuracy as much as functional reliability.

I have been using the Lee post size and crimp die for 45 and like it. It eliminates the occaisonal sticky feed problem when using mixed cases. Probably caused by a combination of oversize bullets and too thick case walls. I just load for IDPA type practice and am not overly worried about accuracy as much as functional reliability.
Just received my 9mm and 45acp taper crimp/seater dies from Midway. What is the abbreviated version of adjusting the dies for the best preformance?

Back out your seater stem a whole lot so that it will not touch the bullet in a round. Back out the crimp so that it will not crimp. Run a round (preferably an unloaded master round) into the die. Adjust the crimp to contact the case. Increase or decrease the crimp until you're satisfied. Lower the seater stem until it touches the top of the bullet. That should put you in the ballpark.

Back out your seater stem a whole lot so that it will not touch the bullet in a round. Back out the crimp so that it will not crimp. Run a round (preferably an unloaded master round) into the die. Adjust the crimp to contact the case. Increase or decrease the crimp until you're satisfied. Lower the seater stem until it touches the top of the bullet. That should put you in the ballpark.
Just finished with the adj. OAL 1.155 with outside diameter of.375 (hope that's right) and can't go to the range until Sat. morning. I can't believe that I have never seen this in all my years. I called RCBS and received their new 2005 catalog today. I may have to trade my Lyman T-Mag in soon if I keep on shooting 9's. I just ordered a CPO Sig 226 from Ivanhoes to compete with my G17 and G34. Can't wait. It still feels like Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!