Not sure this was mentioned, but most other stff was covered, so I will bring this up:

Get a taper crimp die for the cartridges loaded for semi - automatic pistols, eg 9mm, 40 SW.

After you've seated the bullet to the correct depth, use the taper crimp to crimp, as it is better at preventing bullet setback than a roll crimp, and produces better accuracy.

But use roll crimp for revolver rounds.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by pessimist:
Thanks for all the input. Lots of information to absorb!

Not sure what the wire thingy is. Here’s a photo of it removed from the press.


The largest piece in your picture, the one with the spring- Try fitting a shell holder in that piece. If a shell holder fits in that piece then the "springy thing" is the retainer that keeps it from sliding out. That largest piece looks like the part which holds the shell holder to me but I could be wrong.