Need some good advice/Lee Factory Crimp Dies

[ReloaderEd]

OK so I purchase a bunch of Lee Factory crimp dies. The pistol dies work well for my main calibers. I also have two rifle factory crimp dies, one in 223 Rem the other in 308 Win/30-06. Here in lies my problem/question. I prefer using a Vickorman seating die for both 30 calibers using jacketed bullets. However, I am working up cast bullet loads for Grand matches and cast bullet group matches. I made up some 223 Remington loads and used the Lee Factory crimp die. I could adjust it down to where it really crimped the neck down on the cast bullet. Is that changing the size of the bullet. Has anyhone done it and how did it work? Now I am working on 30 caliber with the same question. It should work slick for cast bullets? I appreciate your advice. Be Safe

 

[helotaxi]

It's only changing the size of the bullet right at the crimp point.

BTW, the .308 and the .30-06 use different FCDs. The .30-06 version is a good bit longer to crimp in the right spot.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Follow the instructions carefully with those Lee FCD's as they state that it takes VERY LITTLE pressure to start damaging the pill (projectile). It seems you bring them down to contact, then just 1/4 turn past contact is plenty, IIRC.

IMO, the FCD's are good at what they do.

 

[ranger335v]

I could adjust it down to where it really crimped the neck down on the cast bullet. Is that changing the size of the bullet.

Well, yeah, if you adjust to where the neck is really crimped down it will squeeze a bullet of any kind at the point of crimp anyway.


Has anyhone done it and how did it work?

Used right, the FCD is a great tool; it IS adjustable for degree of crimp. And no tool works very well if it's used incorrectly. ??

 

[ReloaderEd]

Good information thanks guys. Guess Ill get out my micrometer, pull a fully crimped and see just what I have. Thanks Be Safe

 

[Walkalong]

The FCD for rifle calibers can be a good tool if used correctly.

 

[P-32]

I don't use them, not even for my M-1's.