[E20thLRP]

Just started back reloading can someone give a little help?
how do I set this factory crimp? this is different than the
other set of Dies I used to use... I will just go sit in the corner
tell someone helps me out...Thanks Echo...OUT
ps I did read (for new reloaders) didn't see Factory Crimp Dies ?

[Marlin 45 carbine]

pistol or rifle? come on now, the corner ain't any place to pick up some tips.

[E20thLRP]

Thanks I felt like a %$&&^^ for not being able to figure it out!!!
PISTOL >.45

[Jim Watson]

Didn't come with instructions?

I take it you have the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die in .45 ACP.
If so, screw it into the press with the mouth of the die on or near the shellholder. Back the top knob well out.
Feed in a case with powder charge and bullet seated to the desired OAL. You will feel some resistance as the carbide ring sizes the loaded round a bit.*
Screw the knob down until you feel the crimp insert against the case mouth. Back the ram down a little and screw the knob down about half a turn. Raise the ram to crimp the cartridge. Inspect and make fine adjustments with the knob to get the crimp like you want it. .469" at the very mouth is good.

*My main use for the CFC die is to be sure ammunition loaded with bulk cast bullets in mixed brass will all chamber. I don't see much advantage with the matched components that a serious target shooter would use; or with jacketed bullets. But it will still crimp.

[redneck2]

I use the FCD on my 45acp. Don't want to sound like a smart a**, but I just did what the instructions said. I back off the crimp part of the bullet seat/crimp die and let the FCD finish the job in the 4th station. I get better cycling in my Springfield. IIRC, I just turned it down until I miked the correct crimp. Haven't loaded pistol in a long time. Too busy with rifle.

[E20thLRP]

WOW thanks Jim... rednck2.....ON INSTRUCTIONS !! and no Pictures...
how do you expct me to use the DIES with on Pictures....LOL LOL
ok out of the Corner back to the Reloading bench....thanks again
thats why I am glad I found this SITE... Real Gun Folks !!!
Echo.....out

[fmnnc]

Here is a link to Lee's help video on the factory crimp die

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/videos/Pistol/carbide%20fc%20die-1.wmv

[E20thLRP]

KaBOOM .....Fmnnc...you are the BOMB that what I needed is some
pictures....LOL LOL I got it....I got it..... Thank you for all the help !!
Wish I had Folks like you around here..... Echo.....Out

[Bullet]

I took a nail and put it the center of the knob that you use to adjust the crimp and scratched a mark from the center out, kind of like a hand on a clock. This makes determining how far you’ve adjusted the knob easier.

[Pumpkinheaver]

Bullet I used a black sharpie to put a line on the crimp adjuster but your tip is valid and almost needed so you can duplicate the amount of crimp in subseqent batches of ammo.

[xsquidgator]

Keep those instructions that came with the dies! And use them!

I don't mean that the way it sounds. When I got started with my Lee reloading stuff (several pistol calibers and now several rifle calibers) I read the instructions once and then thought "oh that's so simple I can toss these instructions"

Turned out I was wrong. After only a month I had to change one of my turret/die sets from 38 to 357 and everything needed adjusting. Turned out I forgot what I was doing and couldn't put a crimp on to save my life, perhaps similar to the frustration you were having with your crimp die. Luckily I did re-read the instructions and saw where I went wrong - the Lee factory crimp die has more to adjust than just the set screw!

Now when I start a batch of something with my Lee dies, I always skim the instructions and check that my setup is actually following them. I had to change my habits to refer to these instructions each time but it helped me and may help you.

[Misfire99]

You need to be careful with cases that headspace on the case mouth. Such as the forty five auto. If you crimp them to much they will not headspace properly. A taper crimp is what is needed and only enough to hold the bullet in place during recoil and feeding. A lot of older Military forty five have a crimp on the brass behind the bullet. This stops the bullet from seating deeper during feeding. If you are shooting a revolver you really don't need to worry about it to much. This is because you are either using moon clips or you have brass that has a rim and the headspace is controlled by the rim or clips. With a revolver you need to worry about the bullet moving forward out of the case during recoil. If this happens to much the cylinder will not turn.

[RustyFN]

You need a good crimp for revolver to eliminate setback of the bullet durring recoil. In an auto loader I just crimp enough to remove the bell the expander/powder die put in. I run an empty case into the crimp die and run it down until I feel it hit the case. I lower the case out of the die and then turn it down 1/2 to 3/4 turn more. I will fine tune from there.
Rusty