Lee factory crimp die

Good.
Yes.
No.
Used it on 223rem, 22-250, and 220swift, 35rem , 444m, 45-70, all with improvements.
I also use for 30-30win, 303b, 7.5x53.5mm (Jimmy rigged) 308win, even though I am still in process with these.
 
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I use it on most pistol calibers. Not so much for the crimp, but for the final sizing out of any bulges. I guarantees the ammo will chamber in a match.

In most rifle calibers i do not crimp. neck tension is enough.
 
Any bullet that tends to pull out a bit each time another in the gun is fired needs to be crimped.

In double guns as an example, if you keep reloading one bbl leaving the other bbl loaded with the same bullet, sooner or later your gun will seize shut as the round left too long will grow longer and prevent the action from opening. Also if that long round happens to grow and wedge onto the rifling, you end up with powder everywhere IF the action does open with the bullet stuck in the rifling or it may not shoot well with a bullet jammed into the rifling (ie. dangerous).
I have had them get stuck with a 20 ga over a .222 where the shotgun is used often, then hard opening with the .222 bullet stuck in the rifling.
 
257 Wby, 6.5x55, 300 H&H and 9.3x57 ( There is no FCD for the latter)


9.3x57 - As per a thread from earlier this year(?) - I have an FCD for 9.3x62 - now also have the gizmo to hold a dremel tool in the lathe tool holder - still have not come up with the "guts" to line the thing up and cut that FCD down to work for the 9.3x57. As previously mentioned, purpose would be to just so push back that "lip" created by my "home made" Lyman "M" die to get the neck perfectly flat after seating cast bullets. I can not see it, but can feel it when chambering, and my micrometer shows a "lip" is there, so is still my intent to "make one" that works...
 
I regularly the Lee FCD when hand loading for my .375 H&H. I have had bullets move under recoil if I don't. I would not use it as an accuracy aid, I do not think those claims by Lee are valid. But tube fed lever actions, some heavy hitters, and most handguns benefit from them to ensure proper function. The lone exception is the .22 Hornet. That fussy, thin little cartridge case sometimes ( but not always) shoots more accurately when I use the Lee crimp die. Don't know exactly why.
 
In 5.56 out of my AR, it tightened groups with Matchkings when set to just barely kiss the case mouth - barely visible, but there.

Gave it a try in other calibers; no difference, sold them down the road.
 
Lee Factory Crimp dies are great. I use them only in my semi-auto rifles. I've not seen any improvement in grouping, even in bolt action precision rifles myself.
 
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