.45 acp reloading question

Our partners are there to remind us of this glitch in our little grey cells when we screw up.:D

Take Care

Bob

Along with all the other "glitches" they seem to find.......:p Anyhow, I've never had the need for a crimping die when reloading .45, YMMV.
 
Ouch! I deserved that. I did fully read the the instructions, the Lyman 49th and the Lee book so I should have known about the resizing. I could have gone back downstairs to refresh my memory but I thought since I was sitting at the computer I would ask the question. I guess that's why I should have only inboxed a friend the question. Thanks for the response and thanks for making me feel like a little piece of crap as well!

i apologise -i guess you guys weren't trained the same way i was- we had little "rhymes" for everything- and you said it over and over until it became second nature, without thinking about it- that's how you got through the various "schools" bones of the body, , strip down for the fn, or even how to put your clothes on properly in the morning- everything to rhyme, laid out left to right- and lord help you if you were out of sequence
 
Along with all the other "glitches" they seem to find.......:p Anyhow, I've never had the need for a crimping die when reloading .45, YMMV.

By crimping I mean removing the belling we apply to the case when loading cast bulets. All I ever do is apply the " taper crimp" to just remove the belling so the case is straight. As you know the bullet is held in by friction in the .45acp as it is with most straight walled cases pistol cartridges.

For me the Lee FCD is not really necessary and my results so far indicate it actually may hinder accuracy not help it as I want my cast bullets to be at least one thousanths over bore ie .452. The die is designed to squeeze down the entier length of the case with the ring it has near the bottom of the die. The rounds look nice, lacking the bulge you see when you load cast bullets sized .452 BUT the die appears to swage down the bullet in the process whicfh is not a good thing. I'll know better today when I test the effects of cartridges processed through the die.

Take Care

Bob
 
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I have been reloading .45acp for a number of years and recently acquired the Lee FCD to use for cartridges destined for my .45acp revolver. I shoot cast bullets.

I just sized a test cartidge with the die. My bullets are sized .452 and when loaded the .45acp case has a slight bulge. In my autos the bulge creasts no problems with feeding. With the revolver, using moon clips, I figured the FCD would smooth out the bulge and allow for slightly faster reloading.

After using the die I pulled the bulle and measured it. The FCD has resized the bullet from .452 to .449 and smeared lead across the lube gooves. I am going out today to the range to see if this resizing effect accuracy. I'll report back here as to the results.

Take Care

Bob
Another CGNer (forgot who) brought this issue to my attention some months ago. I often load lead bullets for my 1911s. The FCD definitely eliminated any feeding issue I might have, but it does indeed swage the bullets down way too much. I haven't done any actual tests myself but there's no doubt a .003 reduction in diameter will effect accuracy.
 
Sometimes those feeding issues can be solved either by heavier/lighter mag springs or adjusting the OAL. The FCD may hide the true problem unless you cartridges were just sticking in the chamber. If the latter you likely have a very tight chamber.

It is rain/snowing right now so there is no point trying to get my Chrony going but yesterday I did mange to fire off 3 rounds that has been run through the FCD. Velocities were al higher than the average I got with the cartridges that were just roll crimped. No accuracy tests were performed. I think the higher velocities maybe a result of the thinner bullet offering less friction when fired. I do know .449 bullets are going to lead like crazy and certainly not be as accurate.

We will know as soon as the weather clears up.

Take Care

Bob
 
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