500 Nitro Crimp Die

[MRBlack]

Has anyone had any luck finding something similar to the Lee crimp die for 500 NE? I am using a set of Hornady dies and I am not overly impressed with the roll crimp. What have you all found is the best way to crimp? Thanks in advance!

 

[Rafiki]

I had lee custom make their Factory Crimp Die of my 500 Sharps. The Sharps is .5" shorter but otherwise quite similar to a 500 NE so I suspect they could do it. They did balk at doing it but eventually capitulated; never hurts to ask.

 

[SStomcat]

I don't have a 500 but do have a 470 ne. I use the RCBS dies or sometimes the Redding die to crimp after the bullet has been seated as an extra step never together. Works for me.

 

[deewayne2003]

I had Lee make me a custom FCD for my .470ne

They are a pain in the ass to deal with but it worked out.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I have never done anything more than a slight roll crimp using seating dies and never had a problem. It has always worked well on both bolt action and double rifle cartridges.

 

[fourfive8]

Nothing works as well as a LEE FCD for crimping. Any type of roll crimp shoulder mechanically pushes down the axis of the case as the crimp is applied. Always some likelihood the process will actually lessen neck tension in the process or cause variability of that tension. Not so with the collet system of the Lee Factory Crimp Die.

 

[Tintin]

Anthony George here in Australia makes custom FCDs. If things don’t pan out with Lee, let me know and I can send you details.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

CH Tool makes a wonderful taper crimp die that has proven awesome for me. Loved it for my 450NE that I ended up getting one for my 450/400 and 500 as well. They had them in stock.

 

[fourfive8]

No matter how you end up crimping, always a good idea to test the effectiveness. For double rifles, fire a few full power loads, leaving a test round, unfired, in one side. For the test round, mark bullet to mouth junction- a dab of correction fluid works. After firing 5 or so rounds with test round in chamber, carefully measure COAL of test round and inspect junction between bullet and mouth for movement.

 

[400J]

Anthony George here in Australia makes custom FCDs. If things don’t pan out with Lee, let me know and I can send you details.

I could probably make good use of this option if the offer extends and an F.C.D. for 450/400 NE3" were possible. My last effort to get custom dies from Redding was unsuccessful which I accepted..but they sent the empty shells and projectile back and that didnt do me any favours with Border Force / Customs. If I'd known, I would have had the paperwork handy but I didnt.