Do you use lee factory crimp die for 9mm?

I have the Lee Pistol FCD for most if not all my pistol calibres. I also bought taper crimp dies from Lee and usually use these for most of my pistol loading.

I think in many cases the FCD is not needed and may be a source of problems for some of us using oversized lead bullets with its post sizing ring at the base of the die. It's a nice tool to have on the bench, but many quality rounds have been loaded before and since it's invention without it.

The rifle factory crimp die performs a different type of crimping function and is not comparable.
 
I only use the taper crimp in the bullet seater. Very few problems with any type of bullet. If they won't chamber it's usually due to a buckled case mouth or extreme OAL.
 
A typical 9mm 3 die set from any brand would be a 9mm FL sizing die and decapper, a case expander/belling die, and a bullet seating/taper crimping die.

The Lee 4 die set adds a FCD that applys a taper crimp and has a carbide ring at the base of the die that post sizes the entire case/bullet if it is larger than the diameter of that ring.

I buy Lee 4 dies sets with seater,expander,FL size and FCD. I also buy a seperate taper crimp die so I can crimp in a seperate step from the seating but not have to use my FCD if I choose not to. The FCD and Seater already taper crimp but also perform other functions at the same time.
 
hk33ka1 said:
I buy Lee 4 dies sets with seater,expander,FL size and FCD. I also buy a seperate taper crimp die so I can crimp in a seperate step from the seating but not have to use my FCD if I choose not to. The FCD and Seater already taper crimp but also perform other functions at the same time.
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This is what I was talking about, the deluxe is a 4 die set. So the FCD is taper, thanks.

I'll make sure that the seat/crimp die only seats then allow the FCD to post size and crimp.
 
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Kryogen said:
Do you use lee factory crimp die for 9mm?

worth it?
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Yes I use it.
I honestly don't know if it is worth it. I started crimping 9mm after reading everything I could for and against online, but I really don't know if there is a difference.
 
I am not sure of your press setup, but because of the flare that is put on my pistol cartriges when i drop the powder on my Dillon progressive press, I figured it was worth while to ensure that the case mouth is secure on the projectile. While the round is being chambered I want to be as sure as I can that the chambering of that round will not cause the projectile to be pushed further into the casing, which may compress the powder.
 
It's the solution to a non-existent problem, I have been reloading pistol ammo for over 25 years and have never needed anything but the basic pistol reloading dies.
If you set up your dies properly it is not necessary and a waste of money.
 
The 9mm FCD isn't necessary. The crimp functionality is built into your seating die, but if you're like me, and you realize that crimping and seating in the same stage is silly you get a taper crimp die. I use the 4 hole turret and I have loaded over 10k rounds on it, all the taper crimp die.
 
The FCD is more than just a taper crimp die. It also post sizes the cartridge, and it sizes lower on the case than the first sizing die because the flare/radius at the mouth is less. This is perfect for removing bulges on cases fired from guns that don't fully support the case, like Glocks.

I use them for almost every caliber I load.

Do you really need it? No.
Waste of money? They are cheap, a 4 die set costs $15 more.
Is it worthwhile? Absolutely.
 
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