Crimping 44 Mag

[jethunter]

The factory crimp die doesn't size the entire cartridge, only the portion of the neck that is in contact with the carbide insert. But it does resize everything within the carbide ring, and that includes cast bullets if they are larger than the ring. That's why the fcd is not always recommended for use with cast bullets in every application. Some people have gone to great lengths to make the most accurate cast bullet they can, which may be several thousandths oversize - and they will be disappointed when the Lee fcd resizes a portion of the bullet. It's a known thing- and as Big Ed says, probably better suited to jacketed bullets than oversize cast.

 

[Reeferman]

I think the Lee factory crimp die is the best tool for the job.

I remove the carbide size ring from mine as I shoot oversized cast bullets mostly in me handguns.

Is your FCD an older or newer one? I was going to do that on one of the 38/357 ones I have but some say they couldn’t get the ring out of the ones made last few years.

 

[444shooter]

I use them all the time. The pistol die is different than the rifle version.