Thanks Jon.  This is good information.  The original path for this new reloading venture was to make a copy of the old UMC bullet.  I think having variable bullets would be nice.  Do you know if the Lee die would be a taper or rolled crimp?

lee says its a factory crimp die a collet that squeezes the case mouth closed by adjusting the die as much or little as you desire. call them and talk with tech types they have always suffered my stupid ideas / questions with thoughtful responses.. best of to you.  jon

Jon, talked with Dave at Lee Precision today about the modified 22LR crimp die from a 17 caliber.  he said - No Can Do.
Reasons:  length differences between a 17 cal and the 22LR - problems cutting the die because the 22's being a heeled bullet.

So, that leaves me with the CH4D seating die - turning it down 1-2 turns below the normal seating depth on the shell holder.

I'm in the same predicament - got the mold on order, and the Armscor cases sitting on the shelf, but no way to seat and crimp.

I do have an idea about using my Paco Acurizr tool as a seating die though - we'll see if it works.

As for lube, I've been reading up, and it seems that wiping the bullets with a thin coating of black powder lube may be the way to go. I'll try my home brew of Beeswax, Crisco, Lanolin and mint oil and see how that goes.
Also saw references to Hoppes #9 spray - Main ingredients Kerosene and coal oil. My main concern would be the fluid pulling into the case by capillary action. And finally Pam cooking spray, same concern, but with care could work.

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Bummer that it wont work - actually I was priming several hundred .204 cases last night and decided to mic one of the necks - guess what - .224! The length difference can be easily overcome by turning an adapter post to set the .22 at the right height. I guess they are saying that the die will just squeeze the heeled bullet out of the case instead of crimping it in? Dang, too bad... would have been an easy solution. I may have them make me one anyway and prove it to myself that it doesn't work - nothing to loose, I can always use it for my .204 instead of using the RCBS seating die.

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I have found that a crimp is not needed when using b.p. in the .22 LR case......so......not to worry.  

The UMC b.p. cartridges were not crimped so, thankfully, the bullet heel was not distorted when I pulled them.   

w44wcf

John Boy,
Nice find on those screens. I saved a small amount of the b.p. that was in the UMC cartridges. I'll give it to you for analysis next time we meet.

The top of the UMC box, unfortunately, is pretty much obliterated.

I'll do do an internet search to see if I can come up with a decent pic.

w44wcf

Here's a pic of another Peters box for 22 Shorts;