Lee FCD Problems in .45ACP

jvall1201 · February 20, 2008, 03:14 PM

Wow, am I stumped! After loading many, many thousands of .45's in 230gr. FMJ, my Lee FCD started smashing the case into the bullet & actually pulling the bullet out of the case as I withdraw it from the die.
This happens with ALL brands of brass, but not everytime. It looks like the bullet is too large in diameter, but they all mic-out at .451-.4515.
I figured the die was bad after all the rounds that have gone through it. So, I replaced it with a new one & SAME problem.
So for now, I just replaced it with my Dillon taper crimp die & all is well. I use the Lee FCD on all my calibers, & this is the first I've ever experienced this problem.
I load on Dillon Super 1050's. Has anybody ever had this problem besides me?

tom234 · February 20, 2008, 05:08 PM

No problems with the .45 ACP FDC on my RL550. Do the cases get crushed when you take the "guts" out ? [I.E. the crimp sleeve....] As I recall the crimp sleeve is tapered only on one end. Hard to believe but it sound like an adjustment problem. I'd give Lee a call.

DaveInGA · February 20, 2008, 11:02 PM

I agree with Tom, I'm using the FCD on my Hornady for .45ACP and it's working as advertised. On the original die, if it was working before, I'd take it apart, clean it, reassemble and try it again.

Regards,

Dave

February 20, 2008, 03:14 PM	#1
jvall1201 Junior Member Join Date: February 20, 2008 Posts: 2	Lee FCD Problems in .45ACP Wow, am I stumped! After loading many, many thousands of .45's in 230gr. FMJ, my Lee FCD started smashing the case into the bullet & actually pulling the bullet out of the case as I withdraw it from the die. This happens with ALL brands of brass, but not everytime. It looks like the bullet is too large in diameter, but they all mic-out at .451-.4515. I figured the die was bad after all the rounds that have gone through it. So, I replaced it with a new one & SAME problem. So for now, I just replaced it with my Dillon taper crimp die & all is well. I use the Lee FCD on all my calibers, & this is the first I've ever experienced this problem. I load on Dillon Super 1050's. Has anybody ever had this problem besides me?

February 20, 2008, 05:08 PM	#2
tom234 Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 753	No problems with the .45 ACP FDC on my RL550. Do the cases get crushed when you take the "guts" out ? [I.E. the crimp sleeve....] As I recall the crimp sleeve is tapered only on one end. Hard to believe but it sound like an adjustment problem. I'd give Lee a call.

February 20, 2008, 11:02 PM	#3
DaveInGA Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2005 Location: Flowery Branch, GA Posts: 132	I agree with Tom, I'm using the FCD on my Hornady for .45ACP and it's working as advertised. On the original die, if it was working before, I'd take it apart, clean it, reassemble and try it again. Regards, Dave