Range Report Lee FCD.

steve4102 · July 15, 2012, 09:35 AM

There has been a few threads on here lately about the use of the Lee Factory Crimp die and how it affects accuracy. I tested the LFCD for accuracy quite some time ago and in my tests accuracy was improved. I have used it ever since on all of my semi-autos.

After reading through all the comments and posts on how the LFCD degraded accuracy I started to second guess myself and my previous testing, maybe I'm not getting the improved accuracy I thought I was.

I decided it was time double check my loads and see if crimp was actually helping or hurting.

Certainly none of this is scientific and probably not be enough of a sample to declare a winner or a looser, but it's what I got.

The rifle used was my Colt HBAR, 5.56. I used new never fired Lake city brass for this test as I thought it might be more consistent than my lot of several times fired LC brass.

This first target is Sierra 53gr HP MatchKing, 25.5gr AA 2520. The heavy crimp is "heavy" it put a deep cannulure in the bullet similar to some pictures that have been posted here in the past. The Med Light crimp was visible on a bullet bullet, but barely.

This load is 53gr Sierra with 26gr of 748. I fired five rounds at the "crimp" target first, then five at the "No-crimp" target

Same load, this time I fired five "no-crimp" first.

Same load, again I fired "no-crimp" first

That's all I got for now, you can draw your own conclusions, or not.

**Brian Pfleuger** · July 15, 2012, 09:43 AM

Nice test!

Why didn't you shoot that fly?

Where's our group measurements so we don't have to guess?

Use OnTarget to measure your groups, it has an interesting learning curve but it works great.

http://www.ontargetshooting.com/download.html

steve4102 · July 15, 2012, 10:14 AM

Thanks, I have On-Target, i'll give it a try.
Until then the red squares measure 1 inch and the black dot 1/2 inch.

The round targets the white center measures 1 inch and the yellow measures 2 inches.

FiveInADime · July 15, 2012, 11:57 AM

I don't know your procedure, but I would shoot one crimped at one target and then one un-crimped at the other target and alternate back and forth until you're done. I will spread the fouling and barrel heat evenly between the groups.

steve4102 · July 15, 2012, 12:33 PM

My procedure as posted above was,
Fire 5 with crimp then five without. Fire five without the crimp then five with, fire 5 without the crimp then five with.

mrawesome22 · July 15, 2012, 12:49 PM

What was es and sd like for the crimped vs non-crimped?

Sent from HenseMod6.

the led farmer · July 15, 2012, 02:26 PM

ya brother, work the degree of the crimp die until you get it right, just like you would work up oal, or powder charge, or headstamp or any of the other variables.

you already found you don't have to deform the entire cartridge to get results, a little goes along way.

the lfcd works, if you work with it. dial in that sucker

jmortimer · July 15, 2012, 02:31 PM

The Lee rifle FCD can produce better results if you are will to put in the time and effort. For me I like a light crimp and don't sweat the results as long as the gun is MOA-Bad Guy.

steve4102 · July 15, 2012, 04:39 PM

Quote:

What was es and sd like for the crimped vs non-crimped?

Duno, did not run these over the Chrony.

July 15, 2012, 09:35 AM	#1
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,326	Range Report Lee FCD. There has been a few threads on here lately about the use of the Lee Factory Crimp die and how it affects accuracy. I tested the LFCD for accuracy quite some time ago and in my tests accuracy was improved. I have used it ever since on all of my semi-autos. After reading through all the comments and posts on how the LFCD degraded accuracy I started to second guess myself and my previous testing, maybe I'm not getting the improved accuracy I thought I was. I decided it was time double check my loads and see if crimp was actually helping or hurting. Certainly none of this is scientific and probably not be enough of a sample to declare a winner or a looser, but it's what I got. The rifle used was my Colt HBAR, 5.56. I used new never fired Lake city brass for this test as I thought it might be more consistent than my lot of several times fired LC brass. This first target is Sierra 53gr HP MatchKing, 25.5gr AA 2520. The heavy crimp is "heavy" it put a deep cannulure in the bullet similar to some pictures that have been posted here in the past. The Med Light crimp was visible on a bullet bullet, but barely. This load is 53gr Sierra with 26gr of 748. I fired five rounds at the "crimp" target first, then five at the "No-crimp" target Same load, this time I fired five "no-crimp" first. Same load, again I fired "no-crimp" first That's all I got for now, you can draw your own conclusions, or not. Last edited by steve4102; July 16, 2012 at 05:56 PM.

July 15, 2012, 09:43 AM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Staff Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Central, Southern NY, USA Posts: 14,666	Nice test! Why didn't you shoot that fly? Where's our group measurements so we don't have to guess? Use OnTarget to measure your groups, it has an interesting learning curve but it works great. http://www.ontargetshooting.com/download.html __________________ Still happily answering to the call-sign Peetza. --- You do not HAVE a soul. You ARE a soul. You HAVE a body. ----- He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose. -Jim Eliott, paraphrasing Philip Henry.

July 15, 2012, 10:14 AM	#3
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,326	Thanks, I have On-Target, i'll give it a try. Until then the red squares measure 1 inch and the black dot 1/2 inch. The round targets the white center measures 1 inch and the yellow measures 2 inches.

July 15, 2012, 11:57 AM	#4
FiveInADime Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 226	I don't know your procedure, but I would shoot one crimped at one target and then one un-crimped at the other target and alternate back and forth until you're done. I will spread the fouling and barrel heat evenly between the groups.

July 15, 2012, 12:33 PM	#5
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,326	My procedure as posted above was, Fire 5 with crimp then five without. Fire five without the crimp then five with, fire 5 without the crimp then five with.

July 15, 2012, 12:49 PM	#6
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	What was es and sd like for the crimped vs non-crimped? Sent from HenseMod6.

July 15, 2012, 02:26 PM	#7
the led farmer Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2012 Posts: 110	ya brother, work the degree of the crimp die until you get it right, just like you would work up oal, or powder charge, or headstamp or any of the other variables. you already found you don't have to deform the entire cartridge to get results, a little goes along way. the lfcd works, if you work with it. dial in that sucker

July 15, 2012, 02:31 PM	#8
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,765	The Lee rifle FCD can produce better results if you are will to put in the time and effort. For me I like a light crimp and don't sweat the results as long as the gun is MOA-Bad Guy.