Factory Crimp Die.....why?
- Thread starter Laredo
- Start date
I use the Lee FCD for my 45 ACP.It really helps when loading lead bullets for a gun with a fairly tight chamber.The rounds chamber a lot easier and I havent found that it affects accuracy at all.The dies also do a good job at the taper crimp.
According to Lee's website <leeprecision.com>:
Lee Factory Crimp Die:
- Crimps the bullet in place more firmly than any other tool.
- It is impossible to buckle the case as with regular roll crimp dies.
- Trim length is not critical.
- Tests demonstrate that even bullets which have no cannelure will shoot more accurately if crimped in place with the Lee Factory Crimp Die.
Factory ammunition is often more accurate and better able to withstand rough handling because the bullet is firmly crimped in place. A firm crimp improves accuracy because pressure must build to a higher level before the bullet begins to move. This higher start pressure insures a more uniform pressure curve and less velocity variation. Even powder selection is less critical.
Until now, handloaders seated the bullet to touch the rifling to achieve similar results. This is not always possible nor desirable. The Lee Factory Crimp Die is included at no extra charge with Lee PaceSetter Dies. It's just another added value that only Lee Dies offer.
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I use mine for any rounds which may be susceptible to rough handling (think bags of .22 Hornet and a fast day in the pasture
) I don't know if they help, but they sure don't hurt.
Randy
Lee Factory Crimp Die:
- Crimps the bullet in place more firmly than any other tool.
- It is impossible to buckle the case as with regular roll crimp dies.
- Trim length is not critical.
- Tests demonstrate that even bullets which have no cannelure will shoot more accurately if crimped in place with the Lee Factory Crimp Die.
Factory ammunition is often more accurate and better able to withstand rough handling because the bullet is firmly crimped in place. A firm crimp improves accuracy because pressure must build to a higher level before the bullet begins to move. This higher start pressure insures a more uniform pressure curve and less velocity variation. Even powder selection is less critical.
Until now, handloaders seated the bullet to touch the rifling to achieve similar results. This is not always possible nor desirable. The Lee Factory Crimp Die is included at no extra charge with Lee PaceSetter Dies. It's just another added value that only Lee Dies offer.
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I use mine for any rounds which may be susceptible to rough handling (think bags of .22 Hornet and a fast day in the pasture
) I don't know if they help, but they sure don't hurt.Randy
It makes the marketing types at the die manufacturing companies happy. You don't need a special die for crimping. The bullet seating die will do it.
"...like there is with taper crimping..." If you're crushing cases when taper crimping you're doing it incorrectly. Mind you, the only cases that need or benefit from taper crimping are those that headspace on the case mouth.
"...like there is with taper crimping..." If you're crushing cases when taper crimping you're doing it incorrectly. Mind you, the only cases that need or benefit from taper crimping are those that headspace on the case mouth.
sunray said:
Yes, but case length is critical if you crimp with seating die. If you want uniform results, all cases should be exact same length.
And most important, the bullet must have a cannelure.
That's why i use factory crimp to obtain uniform neck tension with any bullet.
I don't believe that crimping a non-cannelured bullet will improve accuracy, seems to me that I saw an article how Sierra bullets did a test with some of their match bullets and the Lee Factory Crimp hurt accuracy. It is all a marketing ploy by Lee, I admit it does work well on cannelured bullets but a proper taper crimp will always be better on a round that headspaces on the case mouth like 45 ACP, 9mm etc. If you are crumpling cases with a taper crimp die you have your die set up way out of wack.
AR did a test using regular 308 loads,not pet loads.There was a 10% increase in accuracy.
I find it takes the seating depth out of the equation,one less varible.I did a test where I decreased the OAL by .100",the group size opened up from 3/4" to 7/8".If I can get one, I use it.
I find it takes the seating depth out of the equation,one less varible.I did a test where I decreased the OAL by .100",the group size opened up from 3/4" to 7/8".If I can get one, I use it.
ok, if I woulda taken pics of a before target (I shot last week without the factory crimp), I would have posted pics of both targets.
After reading what you all wrote, and doing some of my own trials, I'm sold on the lee factory crimp die!!!
Today and the day I went shooting last week had similar wind, I achieved a 1.5" - 3 shot group at 200 yards with my 303brit last week.....today that group shrunk to 0.75" - 3 shot group with the lee factory crimp die and With a fellow CGN'r, Mellow_one, as my wintness both times!!!!
Ryan
After reading what you all wrote, and doing some of my own trials, I'm sold on the lee factory crimp die!!!
Today and the day I went shooting last week had similar wind, I achieved a 1.5" - 3 shot group at 200 yards with my 303brit last week.....today that group shrunk to 0.75" - 3 shot group with the lee factory crimp die and With a fellow CGN'r, Mellow_one, as my wintness both times!!!!
Ryan
HPL said:
The man gets the prize. Reload a few 348's an you soon understand that point. It also renders all case necks equal weather you do or not. Traditional crimping pressures vary when the case length varies by the slightest. Not an issue with the factory crimp. Aside from cast and auto I use it religiously. May be the one thing lee's done right..Oh and their cast sizing die that sizes from the front,two things
maynard said:
I guess I was in Rifle mode here and not thinking about reloading for handgun, where a crimp is recommened in most cases.
Now back to rifle reloading. Lots of comments here about how a crimp will greatly improve your accuracy. In some cases maybe.
Do BR shooters crimp? How about long range shooters, TR or F class?
What works for a hunting bullet does not always apply to a match bullet.
maynard said:
Hi
A few years ago I got my hands on a box of RCMP issue Winchester Ranger .308 168grn match. They were loader with sierra matchkings, unlike todays Noslers. They were crimped. And they shot great. 5 shots at 100y made one hole that looked like one single 9mm hole on the paper with my 700PSS.
I have done lots of chrony tests, crimp reloads vs non crimped, and in every case, velocity is more consistent with the crimped bullets.
Sticker
downwindtracker2 said:
BINGO! Give the man a banana!
Crimping does absolutely nothing for you IF you seat the bullet correctly (just a hair off the lands). If you dont, or have a long throat, then crimping helps ensure consistent let-off pressures.
