Lee Factory Crimp Die
- Thread starter GIGGIDY
- Start date
Hi-Standard
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Newfoundland
Works great and prevents bulging of the case shoulder. No need to try roll crimping.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
It works like a charm for me except with one possible exception.
I have to load some .002 oversize 9mm bullets to prevent keyholing, and the FCD may post-size the shell/bullet. I haven't got the .358 resizer yet so have not tried this theory.
I have to load some .002 oversize 9mm bullets to prevent keyholing, and the FCD may post-size the shell/bullet. I haven't got the .358 resizer yet so have not tried this theory.
I agree it does post-size the case, and if you need oversize bullets (i.e cast) then it might be a problem.
The best thing about it for me is that you can control seeting depth, by crimping seperately. I use it regularly with my .357, 9mm and .45acp
For rifles though, I had one for 7.62x54mm and it never even touched the Factory-crimp die on the way through., It was completely useless. Maybe it was out of spec (too big)
The best thing about it for me is that you can control seeting depth, by crimping seperately. I use it regularly with my .357, 9mm and .45acp
For rifles though, I had one for 7.62x54mm and it never even touched the Factory-crimp die on the way through., It was completely useless. Maybe it was out of spec (too big)
It should be noted that there are TWO DIFFERENT types of Lee Factory Crimp Dies
Rifle Crimp dies that crimp the neck at the bullet with a collet as some ammo makers do,
and Pistol Crimp dies that apply the same taper or appropriate crimp as a seating die, but also include the Post Sizer ring at the bottom of the die to swage all rounds into spec if needed (and occasionally size lead boolits too small)
Rifle Crimp dies that crimp the neck at the bullet with a collet as some ammo makers do,
and Pistol Crimp dies that apply the same taper or appropriate crimp as a seating die, but also include the Post Sizer ring at the bottom of the die to swage all rounds into spec if needed (and occasionally size lead boolits too small)
The Lee FCD for rifles works great and as advertised.
For handgun cratridges the die swages down the bullet as a result of eliminating the "bulge" on the case. If you are shooting lead bullets this will lead to increased leading and less accuracy. For shooters who use the FCD for handgun cartridges pull a bullet from a cartridge that has been "resized" with the FCD against either a sized lead bullet or a new plated or jacketed bullet and measure the diameter of both.
Take Care
Bob
For handgun cratridges the die swages down the bullet as a result of eliminating the "bulge" on the case. If you are shooting lead bullets this will lead to increased leading and less accuracy. For shooters who use the FCD for handgun cartridges pull a bullet from a cartridge that has been "resized" with the FCD against either a sized lead bullet or a new plated or jacketed bullet and measure the diameter of both.
Take Care
Bob
I use it in all 3 calibers I reload: 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP, all jacketed bullets. I use very little crimp, just enough to pass the barrell test. I could probably get the same if I set my Hornady's die to seat & crimp, but I never tried. When I got into reloading I wanted to eliminate as many variables as I could. FCD works, so I keep using it.
I guess I should add that I am inquiring about the rifle dies. I'm just wondering if the claim "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" is valid.
I have been using them for .45 colt and .38/357 for a few years now and I am getting great results. Accuracy is still great, I am not getting any leading from undersized bullets due the post sizeing issue that some have brought up.
I have a FCD for my .280 rem, but I have not tried it yet.
I have a FCD for my .280 rem, but I have not tried it yet.
I have the FCD for all my rifle calibers. I can't really tell the diference in acuracy with or without. I crimp hunting ammo just so i dont have a problem with the bullet being bumped. other wise i find that after resizing the case neck tension holds the bullet just fine.
AFAIK thats horse manure. Now, if you want to make sure the bullet doesn't move during violent loading events, thats different.
Now, why would that be horse manure? Internal ballistics should be as uniform as you can make them. No matter what may happen with your dies, sometimes the neck tension will vary due to brass thickness and the wear of the die mandrel die body. This can create lower neck tension esp if the neck is only .001" smaller than the bullet used. If you take 10 pieces of brass, and the neck thickness is not standard, then you could wind up with several different neck tensions, each of which allows the bullet to be let off in a different way.
When the primer is struck, the powder is ignited. As it burns, it builds up pressure in the case. If the bullet moves at too low a pressure, then that will affect velocity, which affects accuracy and if the all move at different times, all will have different velocities. Simply by ensuring that all the bullets have the same tension, you can ensure better accuracy.
He!!, that's one of the reasons commercial rounds are crimped in that manner.
Physics can't lie in this case.
