[Lost Sheep]

Thanks to blazerbowe for sharing his question on his thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=691028

The post-sizing feature of the Lee Pistol FCD (Factory Crimp Die) would "cure" blazerbowe's problem (the virtue). This, according to Lee Precision, is the principal reason for the existence of the pistol FCD.

But it would do nothing to identify or cure the cause (the vice)

In fact, by squishing the bullet inside the case, might create another problem (inadequate grip of the case on the bullet or loose bullet tension). This is particularly problematic with lead bullets, less so with jacketed.

I took this opportunity to post because these simple facts often get lost in the heated rhetoric that sometimes invades threads about the Lee FCD.

Thanks for reading.

Lost Sheep

[56hawk]

When I first started loading 380, I loaded a bunch of rounds with 115 grain bullets. They would chamber in my Beretta 84 but nothing else. I didn't have a FCD so I just ran them into the sizing die just enough so they would chamber in all my 380s. Not the best thing, but it did solve the problem.

[ljnowell]

I hear a lot of people talk about the FCD as it relates to pistol ammo. This is what I can say:

I have reloaded probably 5k rounds of 45acp and maybe the same amount of 38/357 using unmodified FCDs in the fourth hole of my turret press. I have had no problems at all with it sizing down bullets. In fact, I have pulled some just to check and see and they were the exact same size as when they were seated. There was no loss of neck tension, no undersizing, and no leading caused by it. Even on the rounds that had resistance in the die, nothing.

I wont argue with people, but anyone that says that they WILL cause a loss of neck tension, undersizing, leading problems, etc is dead wrong. It MAY. If you have one that has a undersized carbide sizing ring in it (which I have read people having issues with) then it most certainly could. Mine have caused no problems at all.

I will also add that I have removed the post sizing ring from all of mine because I get tired of the occasional round having the resistance going through.

[jim8115]

One thing I know for sure. In my XD40, which really doesnt really like SWC's anyway.
Loading Missouri 170 SWC, I have to seat them at 1.110 to get them to fit the chanmber. No matter what I do, they would not feed , until I ran them through the FCD. I dont know why, but the ones that have been run through the FCD function 100% . I would prefer not to use the FCD on lead, but in this case I do.

JIM

[Lost Sheep]

I hear a lot of people talk about the FCD as it relates to pistol ammo. This is what I can say:

I have reloaded probably 5k rounds of 45acp and maybe the same amount of 38/357 using unmodified FCDs in the fourth hole of my turret press. I have had no problems at all with it sizing down bullets. In fact, I have pulled some just to check and see and they were the exact same size as when they were seated. There was no loss of neck tension, no undersizing, and no leading caused by it. Even on the rounds that had resistance in the die, nothing.

I wont argue with people, but anyone that says that they WILL cause a loss of neck tension, undersizing, leading problems, etc is dead wrong. It MAY. If you have one that has a undersized carbide sizing ring in it (which I have read people having issues with) then it most certainly could. Mine have caused no problems at all.

I will also add that I have removed the post sizing ring from all of mine because I get tired of the occasional round having the resistance going through.
You are correct. Properly sized bullets will not even be touched by the post-sizing ring in the Lee FCD with a ring that is not undersized.

Your experience is how it should be.

If one has oversized lead bullets, that would be a different story.

Lost Sheep

[Lost Sheep]

One thing I know for sure. In my XD40, which really doesnt really like SWC's anyway.
Loading Missouri 170 SWC, I have to seat them at 1.110 to get them to fit the chanmber. No matter what I do, they would not feed , until I ran them through the FCD. I dont know why, but the ones that have been run through the FCD function 100% . I would prefer not to use the FCD on lead, but in this case I do.

JIM
Why? Because the rounds after loading (but before the FCD) do not fit your chamber (that is, not SAAMI sized). The Lee FCD is designed to fix that.

However, it is far better to prevent whatever is causing the ill fit in the first place. (An ounce of prevention earlier is better than a pound of cure later.)

Lee Precision's own words may be useful

http://leeprecision.net/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/112/60/carbide-factory-crimp-explanation

So if there is a buckle in the case from excessive crimp or a bulge from a slightly oversize bullet, the complete cartridge is resized as it is withdrawn from the die; You can be certain that it will chamber, because it has been resized after the bullet was seated and crimped.

I am not suggesting you are buckling your cases or doing anything at all wrong, but if your brass has thicker walls or your bullets are just a little oversized, switching to thinner brass or getting properly sized bullets might be better than using the FCD. Another possibility is that your gun has slightly undersized chambers (my Dan Wesson does.)

Lost Sheep

[noylj]

I see no negative with the pistol FCD, unless you are shooting lead bullets that are 0.003" or more over the nominal bullet diameter. In that case, you will get the bullet being swaged down.
Remember, the "sizing" only brings the case down to the SAAMI max dimensions for a case to fit a proper chamber. It is not the same as the sizing die.
Finally, the crimp is as good as they come. For a roll crimp, only the Redding Profile Crimp die does a better job, and it also has a rather long "taper" section that can also "iron" out problems, but not to the degree that the Lee dies does.
For a taper crimp, it is as good as any other taper crimp die you can buy and a lot better than most. Many go so far as to remove the carbide insert so it is just a crimp die.
So, unless you are shooting oversize lead bullets, I see no negatives--though I do agree that determining the cause of the chambering problem is more important than simply "papering" over the problem. Most times, I find that the reloader is NOT properly expanding the case (and, in many cases, not expanding at all and simply flaring/belling the case mouth) and that is causing the bullet to bulge the case out where the walls are thinnest.
They are not a panacea for bad reloading practice, but they are good for giving a great crimp and ensuring that every round will chamber.

[Blue68f100]

I see no need for the FCD, do not own one. If your seating and crimping in one step this may be a problem. Works fine for roll crimps not so well for the taper crimp.

[918v]

The FCD would be a worthwhile tool if Lee made the crimping element out of carbide. As it stands, the FCD is a crude and rough solution to bandage someone's mistakes.

[RustyFN]

The FCD would be a worthwhile tool if Lee made the crimping element out of carbide. As it stands, the FCD is a crude and rough solution to bandage someone's mistakes.

There are other uses for it besides fixing mistakes.

[Lost Sheep]

The FCD would be a worthwhile tool if Lee made the crimping element out of carbide. (edited for focus)
How much of a difference would there be if the crimping element were carbide? What, precisely would that difference be?

I always thought the main virtues of Tungsten-Carbide were its wear resistance (useful because the sizing ring slides along nearly the entire length of the cartridge body) and smoothness (because it reduces friction, and thereby the need for lubrication).

Applying a roll crimp involves nearly no sliding of the contact surfaces and a taper crimp only a little sliding contact, and not nearly as much pressure as sizing does.

Lost Sheep

[GT1]

The FCD is an excellent addition to Lee's die sets. Almost everyone has been seating and crimping in separate stations for the last couple decades anyway, and ignoring the finishing part of that die for arguments sake(because there is no valid argument against it except in the case of significantly oversized lead projectiles.) it makes a fine taper crimp on any semi-auto round(9mm&.45acp) I've produced. I don't own any wheel guns, so I can't comment on those calibers.
First and foremost, it is a simple crimp die, same as any other. Making it (The crimping section)carbide would border on the ridiculous.

[Lost Sheep]

First and foremost, it is a simple crimp die, same as any other. Making it (The crimping section)carbide would border on the ridiculous.
Please don't pre-judge that which has not been explained. I am interested to hear the reasoning.

Lost Sheep

[918v]

How much of a difference would there be if the crimping element were carbide? What, precisely would that difference be?

It would crimp smoothly, like factory ammo, and would not shred brass off the case mouth.

[Lost Sheep]

It would crimp smoothly, like factory ammo, and would not shred brass off the case mouth.
I think I understand. I suspect the rough crimp is due, not to the die's material, but to a defect in the die (which might be covered by the manufacturer).

I have several crimping dies, both seat-crimp and crimp only of Redding, Lee, Lyman and RCBS. All are tool steel and none give bad crimps.

Could your die(s) be defective, chipped inside or worn? Have you contacted the maker?

If the problem is due to heavy use, perhaps a carbide crimping insert would be worth the cost. When I had a suggestion for a product improvement, I sent it to Lee Precision and got an answer from John Lee. (I didn't agree with him, but at least I believe he listened, considered and answered.)

Good luck.

Lost Sheep

[jim8115]

Why? Because the rounds after loading (but before the FCD) do not fit your chamber (that is, not SAAMI sized). The Lee FCD is designed to fix that.

However, it is far better to prevent whatever is causing the ill fit in the first place. (An ounce of prevention earlier is better than a pound of cure later.)

Lee Precision's own words may be useful

http://leeprecision.net/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/112/60/carbide-factory-crimp-explanation



I am not suggesting you are buckling your cases or doing anything at all wrong, but if your brass has thicker walls or your bullets are just a little oversized, switching to thinner brass or getting properly sized bullets might be better than using the FCD. Another possibility is that your gun has slightly undersized chambers (my Dan Wesson does.)

Lost Sheep
Nope, they fit the chamber just fine. They just wont feed reliably

[Lost Sheep]

Nope, they fit the chamber just fine. They just wont feed reliably
Oops. I took your post #4 too literally.
One thing I know for sure. In my XD40, which really doesnt really like SWC's anyway.
Loading Missouri 170 SWC, I have to seat them at 1.110 to get them to fit the chanmber. No matter what I do, they would not feed , until I ran them through the FCD. I dont know why, but the ones that have been run through the FCD function 100% . I would prefer not to use the FCD on lead, but in this case I do.

JIM
I did not see that the next sentence about feeding was intended to modify the earlier sentence.

I would love to see pictures.

I have a friend with a Springfield XD that will not feed (but chambered with no problem) cast lead semi-wadcutters at all, but it feeds cast lead round-nose just fine. Luckily, my 45s all feed SWC just fine, so he hasn't had to go to the lengths you did. We simply traded slugs, my lead round-nose for his SWC.

I AM intensely curious about what it is that interferes with the feeding. Bullet nose or shoulder, I would think, would not be cured by the FCD. But if the case mouth is hanging up somewhere, that might be the ticket.

So, I am wondering if an FCD might have cured my friend's feeding problem, or perhaps just the tiniest bit more taper crimp.

Lost Sheep

[918v]

Could your die(s) be defective, chipped inside or worn? Have you contacted the maker?

No because that's how Lee makes all their dies- rough. That's why they are so cheap.

[jim8115]

Oops. I took your post #4 too literally.

I did not see that the next sentence about feeding was intended to modify the earlier sentence.

I would love to see pictures.

I have a friend with a Springfield XD that will not feed (but chambered with no problem) cast lead semi-wadcutters at all, but it feeds cast lead round-nose just fine. Luckily, my 45s all feed SWC just fine, so he hasn't had to go to the lengths you did. We simply traded slugs, my lead round-nose for his SWC.

I AM intensely curious about what it is that interferes with the feeding. Bullet nose or shoulder, I would think, would not be cured by the FCD. But if the case mouth is hanging up somewhere, that might be the ticket.

So, I am wondering if an FCD might have cured my friend's feeding problem, or perhaps just the tiniest bit more taper crimp.

Lost Sheep
I did try using more crimp, without using the FCD. Still no luck


JIM

[Lost Sheep]

No because that's how Lee makes all their dies- rough. That's why they are so cheap.
Yes, they are rough. On the outside, at least.

All my dies (Lee, RCBS, Redding, Lyman) are as well-formed as they need to be where it counts, on the inside. Sorry to hear you wound up with a lemon.

It is, indeed, sad when a maker's quality control lets bad produces slip through. It makes the customers be part of the process that the manufacturer rightly is responsible for. But that is taking place all over the world these days.

I would, respectfully and with all the kindness I have, suggest you have pre-judged yourself out of a good tool.

Lost Sheep

[jim8115]

You are correct. Properly sized bullets will not even be touched by the post-sizing ring in the Lee FCD with a ring that is not undersized.

Your experience is how it should be.

If one has oversized lead bullets, that would be a different story.

Lost Sheep
Then explain this. I ran a couple of store-bought Winchester Supreme Elite PDX's through the FCD, they definitely are touched by the post-sizing ring, some a fair bit

JIM

[jcwit]

No because that's how Lee makes all their dies- rough. That's why they are so cheap.


You can say for positive that this is absolutely true with ALL their dies.

Blanket statements state and mean so little!

Defective products slip through from all manufacturers. Lee has their share as does everyone else.

[Lost Sheep]

Then explain this. I ran a couple of store-bought Winchester Supreme Elite PDX's through the FCD, they definitely are touched by the post-sizing ring, some a fair bit

JIM
I can't at the moment. Would you care to share the caliber and any other pertinent details with me? I am interested to see if I can duplicate your experience the next time I have access to a retail ammunition seller.

Are all these nickle plated?

Lost Sheep

[ljnowell]

No because that's how Lee makes all their dies- rough. That's why they are so cheap.

I have lee dies in 9mm, 45acp, 223, 45 colt, 40S&W and 38/357. Absoolutely NONE of mine are rough on the inside. They all work great and do not shred brass off a case mouth.

[jim8115]

I can't at the moment. Would you care to share the caliber and any other pertinent details with me? I am interested to see if I can duplicate your experience the next time I have access to a retail ammunition seller.

Are all these nickle plated?

Lost Sheep
40 S&W , they are nickle

[918v]

I have lee dies in 9mm, 45acp, 223, 45 colt, 40S&W and 38/357. Absoolutely NONE of mine are rough on the inside. They all work great and do not shred brass off a case mouth.

The crimp dies do. I have owned Lee FCD's in 9mm, 38/357 and 45 and they all shredded brass off the case mouth during crimping. They are rough on the inside and that is what causes the shredding of brass.

[ljnowell]

The crimp dies do. I have owned Lee FCD's in 9mm, 38/357 and 45 and they all shredded brass off the case mouth during crimping. They are rough on the inside and that is what causes the shredding of brass.
I use the FCd is 38/357 and 45ACP. No issue like that at all. Weird.

[jcwit]

At one time I tried using the Lee FCD in 45 ACP, I never experienced a shredding problem at the case mouth or anywhere else.

[918v]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=469815

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff325/x97541x/THR.jpg

Look at the marks the FCD leaves on the case mouth. Factory rounds aren't marked up like that. The case mouths are perfectly smooth. Why? Cuz they have smooth dies.

[jcwit]

Scroll down to post #4 on the link you posted. Showes a picture of a cartridge also crimped with a FCD and nice and shinney case.

[ljnowell]

Look at the marks the FCD leaves on the case mouth.
Mine dont. Niether do others that I know. Maybe some do and some dont.

[Lost Sheep]

Thanks for the pictures, 918v (post #29). Looks like a cosmetic issue to me. How do they shoot?

Lost Sheep

[918v]

Not mine. How they shoot is not the issue. The issue I have with these dies is the 20 grit internal surface finish that acts like a file on my brass.

[Lost Sheep]

Not mine. How they shoot is not the issue. The issue I have with these dies is the 20 grit internal surface finish that acts like a file on my brass.
Got pictures?

[918v]

Got money to send me for a macro lens?

[918v]

This is the best my camera will do, but it is inadequate to show the roughness. Every single Lee FCD is like this and I don't believe any assertions to the contrary. Maybe some people don't see it due to their emotional investment in a substandard tool.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a35/918v/photo-26.jpg

[jcwit]

This is the best my camera will do, but it is inadequate to show the roughness. Every single Lee FCD is like this and I don't believe any assertions to the contrary. Maybe some people don't see it due to their emotional investment in a substandard tool.


Well the statement about emotional investment doesn't hold water with me as I tried using the Lee FCD and later learned how to adjust my standard dies so as not needing the step of using the FCD and lead bullets.

But I still never had any shredding of my case mouths, mayhap I got the one and only highly polished carbide inserts.

Ain't I the lucky little feller!

[918v]

You certainly may be the owner of a unicorn.

[918v]

Here's a better pic. I added more ambient light:


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a35/918v/photo-27.jpg

[jjjitters]

Being a machinist in a stainless shop where most of our work has to be a certain polish for FDA sanitary use, I am used to seeing surface roughness. I know just what 918V is saying and agree that the few I have are pretty rough. Rougher than most of my other brands. To a point it has no ill effect on the finished round, but it is noticable. Just my point.

[jcwit]

Being a machinist in a stainless shop where most of our work has to be a certain polish for FDA sanitary use, I am used to seeing surface roughness. I know just what 918V is saying and agree that the few I have are pretty rough. Rougher than most of my other brands. To a point it has no ill effect on the finished round, but it is noticable. Just my point.

So in fact it is a moot point.

[918v]

It would be a much better product if Lee polished that crimping element to the same surface finish as their sizer die. It would also be better if the sleeve was longer and gave better support to the case walls. As it is it can't be polished because the surface is so rough the increase in diameter would be too great.

[James2]

I have been loading for many years, 44 Mag, 44 Spl, 380 auto, 45 ACP, 38/357, 45 Colt....... Many thousands of rounds.

I have used dies of most of the brands.

I have never owned a Lee FCD!

Yes, my ammo works.

Point is gents: We don't need the Lee FCD!

[springer99]

"Point is gents: We don't need the Lee FCD!"

Maybe you don't, but if you don't mind, I'll keep using all of mine.

I guess that better polishing would make it looks nicer(and cost more), but it doesn't seem to have any negative impacts on my loads as it is.

[918v]

It does act as a deburring tool... so I guess there is a benefit, kind of.

[GT1]

I guess I'll keep using all of my FCDs also. Mine don't shave brass and I like crimping separately.

Hard to keep a good company like Lee down, though some insist on trying.

[jcwit]

Point is gents: We don't need the Lee FCD!

Quite correct, mate!

But it does correct errors.

Hard to keep a good company like Lee down, though some insist on trying.

How true, how true!

[RustyFN]

I have been loading for many years, 44 Mag, 44 Spl, 380 auto, 45 ACP, 38/357, 45 Colt....... Many thousands of rounds.

I have used dies of most of the brands.

I have never owned a Lee FCD!

Yes, my ammo works.

Point is gents: We don't need the Lee FCD!

Do you use a case gauge for any of those rounds?

[jcwit]

Do you use a case gauge for any of those rounds?

In my case, NO! But I do use the barrel if I need to.

[Lost Sheep]

This is the best my camera will do, but it is inadequate to show the roughness. Every single Lee FCD is like this and I don't believe any assertions to the contrary. Maybe some people don't see it due to their emotional investment in a substandard tool.

I was hoping for a picture of your damaged brass. I should have been specific.

The printing in the background of your picture in post #36 is in focus. I suspect your problem with the out-of-focus condition of the crimping insert is because it is closer than the minimum focus distance. You might try this trick: Make a wire frame to attach to the camera (the tripod mount screw is a handy place) and have the wire form a rectangle at the proper distance for in-focus pictures (you will have to experiment a bit). I learned this trick from underwater photography, where focusing involves a lot of guesswork otherwise. Once you have the frame set, you will know where your limits are.

The other possibility is if your camera's autofocus picked up on the background. If so, you may need to put the background at the same distance as the die, or do this (which works on most auto-focus cameras); Set the focus of the camera by pointing it at the surface that does come into sharp focus and pressing halfway down on the shutter-releaser button. Then, holding the button where it is, back the camera up just enough so the the focus plane hits the die.

These techniques have worked for me in the past. I hope my directions are clear enough.

I am looking forward to seeing pictures of your (die-damaged) brass. Perhaps some before and after?

I cannot attempt to duplicate your experience with factory ammo being unable to slip easily into the Lee FCD because I don't have any dies at all for .40 S&W. But my 454 Casull rounds do slip into my Lee FCD quite easily, not even in the press, but just inserting by hand. So do my 9mm and my .357 Magnum. I don't know what is wrong with your .40 ammunition or dies, but it is considerably different from my experience with factory ammo and my dies.

Lost Sheep

[1SOW]

I've had good experience with the Lee FCD loading 9mm Luger using a taper crimp.
The FCD I have is smooth internally and doesn't resize "slightly" (.356) oversized plated bullets or FMJ. Set properly, pulled plated or fmj bullets are unmarked by the FCD, but the taper crimp closes the belling nicely. I don't use lead.

I have used it for other than intended purposes--maybe mis-used it. Have you ever seated a pistol bullet and 'felt' it seat too easily and too deep? I have. Maybe a thinner/softer/over-used case or whatever. I mark these cases for later disposal.
I use an inertial hammer to "lightly" bump the bullet back out to a longer than the desired oal length. The case has been expanded down where the "too deep" bullet base was. The FCD will contact this area and slightly resize it, enough neck tension is restored to adequately seat, hold the bullet and reapply a taper crimp.. Right or wrong, it can work well enough to function and still be accurate. I only do this with light range loads.

[Bovice]

Lol another whining thread about the FCD.

The issue only occurs with oversized lead. Shoot all your ammo uncrimped, snag case mouths at the feed ramp all day, or seat and crimp in one step and get an awful excuse for a crimp. I don't care. Why do you insist on keeping the crusade against the fcd going? We get it, you like your bullets oversized. I like mine correctly sized and crimped at the case mouth with a nice uniform taper crimp. I've NEVER had any of my FCDs cause a "loss of case neck tension". And then there's the claim of lost accuracy. That's a flat out lie.

Loading lead oversized bullets has issues all its own, but those same issues don't plague jacketed shooters.

[Lost Sheep]

Lol another whining thread about the FCD.

The issue only occurs with oversized lead. Shoot all your ammo uncrimped, snag case mouths at the feed ramp all day, or seat and crimp in one step and get an awful excuse for a crimp. I don't care. Why do you insist on keeping the crusade against the fcd going? We get it, you like your bullets oversized. I like mine correctly sized and crimped at the case mouth with a nice uniform taper crimp. I've NEVER had any of my FCDs cause a "loss of case neck tension". And then there's the claim of lost accuracy. That's a flat out lie.

Loading lead oversized bullets has issues all its own, but those same issues don't plague jacketed shooters.
When I started this thread I was hoping to merely clear up the question of when the Post-sizing is useful, when it hurts and when it makes no never mind.

Secondary goal was to let a reasoned, rational and calm discussion of the merits and drawbacks grow.

For the most part that has happened. Sure, there has been a little whining, but less rancor and prejudice than some threads. And even those who APPEAR to have some prejudice do seem to be engaged in an earnest debate (and listening to well-made and well-supported assertions).

I could hardly ask for more than that.

I say, let the learning continue for as long as an open and honest debate allows.

Lost Sheep

[jim243]

Way too many electrons have been spent on this topic.

The purpose of the Lee Factory Crimp die is for reloading "Revolver" ammo and for rifles that use pistol ammo as well. In addition there are two other benefits of using the Lee FCD, the first is insuring that the flared mouth of the case is properly put back to SAMMI specs which is not done by the seating die. Just screw the stem out so that a crimp is not placed on the case, I do this all the time and have no failure to feeds at all.
The second benefit is using the FCD with the Lee "Bulge Buster" kit to remove all bulges in the case from firearms that do not have fully supported chambers (Gen 1,2 & 3 Glocks as an example). And I do this for all my straight wall cases 380, 40 S&W and 45 ACP's (Auto).

I hope this answers all questions.

Jim

918, what in the world is your picture of, it is not a Lee FCD that is for sure.

This is what the FCD for pistol looks like.

http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/bigjim_02/SAM_0810_zpsb13c1533.jpg

[GT1]

Way too many electrons have been spent on this topic.

I agree, it has been beat to death on every forum I frequent. Haters are gonna hate, and users are going to keep using. All the rest is just fluff.

[Lost Sheep]

(edited for brevity)

918, what in the world is your picture of, it is not a Lee FCD that is for sure.

This is what the FCD for pistol looks like.

http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/bigjim_02/SAM_0810_zpsb13c1533.jpg
The picture I believe you are referring to is of the crimping collar (or ring) which floats inside the die you have pictured.

Way too many electrons have been spent on this topic.
I agree, it has been beat to death on every forum I frequent. Haters are gonna hate, and users are going to keep using. All the rest is just fluff.
Perhaps the topic is worn out, but I don't believe so. I still (incurable optimist) believe that minds can be open, new facts learned and new points of view accommodated. There is substance hiding beneath the fluff.

Lost Sheep

[Lost Sheep]

Post #3 on this thread

http://rugerforum.net/reloading/65863-lee-fcd-pistol-not-rifle-virtue-vice.html#post818877

Thank you, Iowegan. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I don't agree 100% with EVERY opinion he holds, but the post is... well you owe it to yourself to read, think and form your own opinion.

Lost Sheep

[WaywardSon]

Lost Sheep....Thank you for that link! Although I frequent that forum as well, I had not seen that thread.

I am however, familiar with the poster Iowegen, and have enough experience with reloading to understand that when this gentleman speaks...a prudent man pays attention. Nuff said.

[RustyFN]

EVERYONE who read this thread should read this

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Post #3 on this thread

http://rugerforum.net/reloading/6586...tml#post818877

Thank you, Iowegan. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I don't agree 100% with EVERY opinion he holds, but the post is... well you owe it to yourself to read, think and form your own opinion.

Lost Sheep

Interesting read. Now the only problem is I have seen other people do similar tests and have the opposite results. So all that tells me is his FCD was smaller than spec or his lead bullets were oversized. I have done some testing with loading lead bullets and then pulling them and measuring them after pulled. I know for a fact that none of my lead bullets are being swagged down and they are accurate. I don't own a chrono.