I'm looking for a good die to crimp .308 that doesn't leave the four-part imprint that the Lee crimp die does. This is mainly for the cartridge brass pens using real bullet nibs, so accuracy isn't exactly a concern; I just want something that will hold the bullet in as tightly as possible so that it won't move in either direction. It seems that something more akin to a revolver's slight roll-crimp might be ideal for this, but I can't think of a ~.30 handgun die that would be shallow enough to take the .308 without hitting the shoulder. Anybody know of such a die?
I am putting a thin acrylic coat over the cartridge after seating to keep the copper and brass from corroding so quickly, but the layer I'd need to really hold the bullet in place defeats the "real ammo" aspect of the pen.
For those who sent brass for the pens, the bottom two in the attached photo are the ones I have the most confidence in so far. If I can improve the bullet seating in the next couple of weeks with a better crimp or some other method, I'll remake the brass parts of them before sending them out.
