Lee Factory Crimp Die, .223 Remington/5.56 NATO

The Lee Factory Crimp Die in .223 Remington/5.56 NATO (Lee part no. 90817) locks a firm, repeatable crimp onto .223 Remington/5.56 NATO brass after bullet seating, and it is built specifically for handloaders working that cartridge. This Lee Factory Crimp Die uses a collet-style mechanism to squeeze a firm, uniform crimp into the case mouth. Because the collet forms its own crimp, the bullet does not need a cannelure or crimp groove, and the firmer hold raises the pressure needed to start the bullet moving, which improves pressure consistency and cuts velocity variation. That makes it a popular add-on for reloaders running lever guns, hard-recoiling rifles, or magazine-fed autoloaders where bullet setback under recoil or feeding is a real concern. It threads into the fourth station of a standard press just like any other die, so most .223 Remington/5.56 NATO reloaders add it to an existing die set rather than replacing anything.

Key Specifications

• Built specifically for the .223 Remington/5.56 NATO cartridge.
• Uses a collet-style crimp that squeezes the case mouth into the bullet without needing a cannelure or crimp groove.
• Raises the bullet’s start pressure, which improves pressure consistency and reduces velocity variation shot to shot.
• Installs in the final die station of a standard single-stage, turret, or progressive press.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need a crimp groove or cannelure on my bullets? No, the collet mechanism forms its own crimp on the case mouth, so plain bullets work fine.

Where does this die go in my press? After sizing, priming, and bullet seating, run the loaded round through this die last to apply the crimp.

Buy the Lee Factory Crimp Die, .223 Remington/5.56 NATO

Add the .223 Remington/5.56 NATO Factory Crimp Die from Lee to your reloading die lineup for a tighter, more consistent crimp on every loaded round. Order it from our Lubbock, Texas gun shop for fast, insured direct shipping.