Question for those who use a LEE FCD

[BJung]

I use to call the FCD my "fix-it" die because those handloaded .38 and .357 that would not chamber could after be run through the FCD. But, that excess thickness had to go somewhere so it makes sense that the bullet got swaged. A good test would be to take some accuracy loads that did not have its cases resized to cartridges that were. Is anyone loading .38 or .357 and has a Lee FCD to set those aside.

[tangolima]

Originally Posted by BJung

I use to call the FCD my "fix-it" die because those handloaded .38 and .357 that would not chamber could after be run through the FCD. But, that excess thickness had to go somewhere so it makes sense that the bullet got swaged. A good test would be to take some accuracy loads that did not have its cases resized to cartridges that were. Is anyone loading .38 or .357 and has a Lee FCD to set those aside.

Most of time the problem with chambering is caused by bullet not seated straight. The die will push the slight bulge back in. Will it deform the bullet? Perhaps. But it is better than stoppage on the firing line.

After switching from Lee die to Hornady die, this rarely happens. The seating die comes with a bullet sleeve to keep the bullet seated straight. I still use the FCD for crimping as a QA tool. It almost never rubs against the brass anymore.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[jetinteriorguy]

I used to have issues with bullets not seating straight in all my pistol calibers, .38sp, .357mag,.41mag, and 9mm. I’ve switched all of my powder through dies over to using the NOE powder through dies and no more crooked bulges. I still use the FCD/carbide die to crimp for 9mm and have no issues since I don’t shoot lead, in my revolvers for magnums I use the Lee Collet dies and in .38sp I just still use the FCD/carbide die with no problems.

[RoyceP]

I find myself drawn to the Lee FCD's that do not resize the round. I realize there are no carbide parts in them but the beauty of crimping (and nothing else) is a great thing. 44 WCF, 45 Colt, 32 WCF, 45 ACP, 9MM Makarov, 38 Long Colt and 41 Long Colt. All are either FCD's, taper crimp dies or heel crimp dies. All are made by Lee. Yes you need at least a 4 station (or more) press to use them.

[BJung]

For those that use the FCD without it resizing the case, have you noticed improved accuracy with this type of crimp that the roll or taper?

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by BJung

For those that use the FCD without it resizing the case, have you noticed improved accuracy with this type of crimp that the roll or taper?

What is "this type of crimp"? There are only two types of Lee Factory Crimp dies: those that apply a taper crimp, and those that apply a roll crimp. The ones labeled "Carbide factory Crimp Die" add a carbide resizing ring that has nothing to do with the type of crimp the die applies.

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by BJung

For those that use the FCD without it resizing the case, have you noticed improved accuracy with this type of crimp that the roll or taper?

no, no effect on accuracy in my experience.

[BJung]

Aquila. I have been just removing my case mouth flares for now. From what I know, there is the roll and taper crimp. The fist curves the case mouth in and the other bends it at an angle. From memory, the FCD flattens the case mouth flat around the mouth, yes?

[RoyceP]

Originally Posted by Aguila Blanca

What is "this type of crimp"? There are only two types of Lee Factory Crimp dies: those that apply a taper crimp, and those that apply a roll crimp. The ones labeled "Carbide factory Crimp Die" add a carbide resizing ring that has nothing to do with the type of crimp the die applies.

Hard to say. I keep getting older so it appears the Lee FCD make up for my old age.

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by BJung

Aquila. I have been just removing my case mouth flares for now. From what I know, there is the roll and taper crimp. The fist curves the case mouth in and the other bends it at an angle. From memory, the FCD flattens the case mouth flat around the mouth, yes?

Supposedly the fcd (carbide factory crimp die) has 2 steps in it. It transitions from a taper crimp to a roll crimp depending on how far down you adjust it. I have never found it to roll crimp particularly well.

[RoyceP]

Originally Posted by Shadow9mm

Supposedly the fcd (carbide factory crimp die) has 2 steps in it. It transitions from a taper crimp to a roll crimp depending on how far down you adjust it. I have never found it to roll crimp particularly well.

Depends on which Lee FCD you buy. A Taper Crimp FCD will do only that. Many different FCD's are available. I don't believe you have any.

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by RoyceP

Depends on which Lee FCD you buy. A Taper Crimp FCD will do only that. Many different FCD's are available. I don't believe you have any.

That is a taper crimp die not a fcd. Not all lee crimp dies are factory crimp dies. They have 3 factory crimp dies, a taper crimp die, and a profile crimp die.

[RoyceP]

Originally Posted by Shadow9mm

That is a taper crimp die not a fcd. Not all lee crimp dies are factory crimp dies. They have 3 factory crimp dies, a taper crimp die, and a profile crimp die.

Wow you are clueless. Lee offers a lot of factory crimp dies, many more than you think. Many are not listed on their website - they are custom; for example the heel crimp FCD's. This is a Lee FCD in 41 Colt - it does short or long.

https://leeprecision.com/search?q=Factory+crimp+die

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by RoyceP

Wow you are clueless. Lee offers a lot of factory crimp dies, many more than you think. Many are not listed on their website - they are custom; for example the heel crimp FCD's. This is a Lee FCD in 41 Colt - it does short or long.

https://leeprecision.com/search?q=Factory+crimp+die

That die appears to be a lee collet profile crimp die, not a factory crimp die.

Lee makes a lot of crimp dies but they fall into 1 of 4 types for their production dies. The factory crimp die, carbide factory crimp die, taper crimp die, and collet profile crimp. The latter 2 are not factory crimp dies.

[RoyceP]

Originally Posted by Shadow9mm

That die appears to be a lee collet profile crimp die, not a factory crimp die.

Lee makes a lot of crimp dies but they fall into 1 of 4 types for their production dies. The factory crimp die, carbide factory crimp die, taper crimp die, and collet profile crimp. The latter 2 are not factory crimp dies.

I think you are mistaken. Lee offers a lot of FCD's in many styles; even custom ones. The 45 Colt die is available in as many as 4 different FCD's that Lee stocks for example taper crimp, roll crimp, and the Carbide FCD plus any custom 45 Colt you could imagine. Automatic pistol calibers are typically in taper crimp like 380 ACP, 45 ACP, and 9MM Makarov (among the ones I own) plus any sort of custom FCD that you can imagine.

I own several carbide crimp dies that both resize the finished round while applying a crimp. These are available in lots of varieties from roll crimp to taper crimp and anything custom you might want.

Lots of choices and we don't even have to talk about rifle calibers because Lee makes lots of FCD's in those as well.

44 Special Carbide Crimp Die that does a roll crimp and resizes the finished round:

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by RoyceP

I think you are mistaken. Lee offers a lot of FCD's in many styles; even custom ones. The 45 Colt die is available in as many as 4 different FCD's that Lee stocks for example taper crimp, roll crimp, and the Carbide FCD plus any custom 45 Colt you could imagine. Automatic pistol calibers are typically in taper crimp like 380 ACP, 45 ACP, and 9MM Makarov (among the ones I own) plus any sort of custom FCD that you can imagine.

I own several carbide crimp dies that both resize the finished round while applying a crimp. These are available in lots of varieties from roll crimp to taper crimp and anything custom you might want.

Lots of choices and we don't even have to talk about rifle calibers because Lee makes lots of FCD's in those as well.

44 Special Carbide Crimp Die that does a roll crimp and resizes the finished round:

Not every crimp die from lee is a factory crimp die.

For example the 45 colt. Lee offers a carbide factory crimp die. A collet factory crimp die, and a taper crp die..the taper crimp die os just a tapet crimp die.

[RoyceP]

Originally Posted by Shadow9mm

Not every crimp die from lee is a factory crimp die.

For example the 45 colt. Lee offers a carbide factory crimp die. A collet factory crimp die, and a taper crp die..the taper crimp die os just a tapet crimp die.

Every die that Lee says is a Factory Crimp Die is a Factory Crimp Die. I was not making up stories when I said the dies in my photo was a Lee FCD for 41 Short or Long Colt. It is that, ordered from the Lee custom shop. There is no number for Lee FCD's - it is an infinite number because they will make anything you want. Same as Lee dies.

***deleted***

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by RoyceP

Every die that Lee says is a Factory Crimp Die is a Factory Crimp Die. I was not making up stories when I said the dies in my photo was a Lee FCD for 41 Short or Long Colt. It is that, ordered from the Lee custom shop. There is no number for Lee FCD's - it is an infinite number because they will make anything you want. Same as Lee dies.

***deleted***

Smh, i cant comprehend why you think that every single crimping die lee makes is a "factory crimp die"

Heres a link for you of lees taper crimp dies. Note, they do not say factory crimp anywhere. Yes lee makes some dies that they call factory crimp dies. They also make crimping dies that they do not call factory crimp dies.

https://leeprecision.com/search?q=Taper+crimp

And yes lee makes all kinds of custom dies. Those are custom dies, we are talking factory production.

[Nathan]

IMO, with the Lee Carbide Ring Pistol FCD, the carbide ring is either doing nothing or it is sizing bullets. In my experience, it was sizing bullets. With standard guns at 10-15 yds, I never noticed the accuracy, but I didn’t like it.

The collet type always worked well for me…rifle and pistol…all straight wall.

Never tried the bottle neck collet fcd. I might.

Lee’s std seater makes a good profile crimp die of sorts. I switched to that for revolver. I use an extra Lee taper crimp die for semi.

I use these dies in a Hornady LNL progressive press. The key is using the Hornady lock ring.

[Unclenick]

Yep, they all have subtly different names on the packages. Shadow9mm spelled them out in post 15, but one appears to be off:

Originally Posted by Shadow9m

Lee profile crimp is a collet style crimp for rimmed handgun cartridges as a few straight wall rifle cartridges. Similar to the lee factory crimp die, but for straight wall cartridges.

That seems to be describing the Lee Collet Style Factory Crimp Die (CSFCD). It is available for some longer straight-wall revolver cartridges. The original Factory Crimp Die (FCD) has a collet but is limited to rifle cases long enough so the slots between the collet fingers are long enough to spring back and not take a set (bottleneck cartridges and 45-70 or other straight cases long enough for the collet fingers). Handgun cartridges are too short for that, but Lee came up with the idea of cutting the slot so it doubles back on itself to get adequate length on a shorter collet, and this made the CSFCD possible for magnum revolver cases and other long handgun cases.

Redding makes the Profile Crimp Die, which has a crimp shoulder that starts out as a taper crimp and ends at the top with a roll crimp profile. The idea is to address the issue wherein a firm roll crimp can force the case's mouth brass to turn the corner so abruptly that it lifts the sides of the case away from contact with the bullet, lowering bullet hold. This is another issue the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die (CFCD) is intended to iron out, but the Redding prevents it from happening in the first place by holding the sides of the case against the bullet while the roll crimp is formed. An exaggerated drawing shows this below on the right.



Accuracy and leading issues can result from actually sizing a bullet down, as they need to fit the bore to be balanced and seal (obturate) the bore. The CFCD doesn't usually do that actual bullet sizing, but with some foreign-made, extra-thick brass or cast bullets sized wider than standard, it can. It was designed with the idea that chamber fit and feed was a higher priority than precision. Better the gun that shoots poorly than one that won't shoot at all because it won't load.