CQB45ACP
Member
I agree
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That’s not a problem with the die, it’s a problem with the people who respond to posts on the forum. As a programmer I’ve got pretty good at recognizing the difference between a technical problem and a people problem. What you’re describing is a people problem.The only problem I have with Lee's FCD for handguns (post crimping sizing die) besides the one I tried on my 44 Magnum handloads, is that quite often a newer reloader will ask about a chambering problem and instead of getting replies on a remedy for the problem, they are told to just use an FCD. Rather than suggesting the newer reloader research and find out why his problem is happening and how to fix it, he is told to "hide" the problem by resizing the cartridge. I have been reloading for quite a while and if a cartridge doesn't chamber, I find out why, when it happens, and fix it. Works for me reloading 9 different handgun calibers; revolver, semi-auto and single shot, for 15 different handguns...
That’s not a problem with the die, it’s a problem with the people who respond to posts on the forum. As a programmer I’ve got pretty good at recognizing the difference between a technical problem and a people problem. What you’re describing is a people problem.
I like mine in 38/357 because it gives a good roll crimp
Good points and I think it's important to point out FCD for straight wall semi-auto pistol calibers that apply taper crimp to headspace on case mouth is different from FCD for rimmed revolver calibers that apply roll crimp and furthermore, FCD for bottleneck rifle calibers is different as well.The FCD does exactly what Lee says it does.
agree with Walkalong that if you're feeling resistance, figure out why.
Post sizing a round to fix a problem is not good ... diagnose the problem and make a correction.
Also very good points.quite often a newer reloader will ask about a chambering problem and ... they are told to just use an FCD. Rather than suggesting the newer reloader research and find out why his problem is happening and how to fix it, he is told to "hide" the problem by resizing the cartridge.
Yes, you have to size the brass first, always. You can either seat with a standard seating/crimp die backed out to not crimp, and use the FCD as the crimp in the last step, or seat/crimp in one step with a standard seating/ crimping die, and then run through the FCD as a final step. Myself, I always seat and crimp in two steps, so back the standard seat/crimp die out so as not to crimp, then crimp in last step with Lee FCD or a Redding Profile Crimp die. The Lee FCD is best used on jacketed bullets, and it's best use case is when loading for a semi-auto pistol.Hi all:
When using the Lee factory crimp die, are you supposed to size the round with another die before using the Lee crimp die. In other words, is the Lee crimp die just used to put a final squeeze to an already crimped round to render it just as if it came from the factory as a means to insure that the dimensions are like that from the factory?
What I have been doing up till now is seating the bullet and then just using the Lee die for final sizing but I notice that the bell on the case comes in contact with the hardened sleeve in the Lee die and it seems that this may not be the way to do it.
I've looked at videos on this and never saw any comments or instructions to do this any other way.
Thanks for replies
Hi all:
When using the Lee factory crimp die, are you supposed to size the round with another die before using the Lee crimp die. In other words, is the Lee crimp die just used to put a final squeeze to an already crimped round to render it just as if it came from the factory as a means to insure that the dimensions are like that from the factory?
What I have been doing up till now is seating the bullet and then just using the Lee die for final sizing but I notice that the bell on the case comes in contact with the hardened sleeve in the Lee die and it seems that this may not be the way to do it.
I've looked at videos on this and never saw any comments or instructions to do this any other way.
Thanks for replies
Yep, a "forum suggestion" problem. As a tool, I have no need to use one, and with a bunch of experience reloading without the need for one, I do not recommend it. Many use an FCD as "insurance" for 100% reliable feeding/chambering, many who compete of just wanna "make sure" for SD loads, but again, I have no need (I had one handload FTF in all my 9mm loads and I determined that the gun I was shooting had a "tighter" chamber and needed the bullets seated about .010" deeper, and zero in all my 45 ACP handloads).That’s not a problem with the die, it’s a problem with the people who respond to posts on the forum. As a programmer I’ve got pretty good at recognizing the difference between a technical problem and a people problem. What you’re describing is a people problem.
Excellent analysisOP asks if he has to crimp before using the FCD, or if he can use it to crimp after just seating a bullet.
15 people reply with how horrible the FCD is, and tell OP he doesn't need it.
15 people reply with how great the FCD is and how it does everything from mowing the lawn, to bringing you a cold beer in your easy chair.
15 people go on how they've reloaded for XXX years and have never needed one themselves.
Maybe 2 people actually gave the poor guy a relevant answer.
Pretty typical Lee FCD thread all in all. We should throw in something about using small rifle primers in place of small pistol, or maybe something about the new primer plants that are getting ready to start up.
Excellent analysis
As for mowing though rotary blade or reel mower?
When using the Lee factory crimp die, are you supposed to size the round with another die before using the Lee crimp die.
I hope I was one of them.Maybe 2 people actually gave the poor guy a relevant answer.
We should throw in something about using small rifle primers in place of small pistol, or maybe something about the new primer plants that are getting ready to start up.
I’ve gone back through this thread and the scores of others on precisely the same topic and here’s what I’ve learned about the Lee FCD:
1. It’s the best crimp die on the market
2. It’s the worst crimp die on the market
3. It doesn’t cause problems unless you use it incorrectly
4. If you need it, you don’t know how to reload properly
5. At 1000 yards it hurts accuracy…groups have increased beyond 1”
6. I’ve noticed my accuracy has greatly improved beyond 2500 yards
7. I had a buddy…
8. No, I had a buddy…
edit: 9. It’s perfect! All you have to do is cut off the carbide ring.
OP asks if he has to crimp before using the FCD, or if he can use it to crimp after just seating a bullet.
15 people reply with how horrible the FCD is, and tell OP he doesn't need it.
15 people reply with how great the FCD is and how it does everything from mowing the lawn, to bringing you a cold beer in your easy chair.
15 people go on how they've reloaded for XXX years and have never needed one themselves.
Maybe 2 people actually gave the poor guy a relevant answer.
Pretty typical Lee FCD thread all in all. We should throw in something about using small rifle primers in place of small pistol, or maybe something about the new primer plants that are getting ready to start up.
Well, I've found that welding a Lee FCD onto the end of each of the blades on my 6ft Brush Hog sizes the brush, weeds, and grass much more consistently, and has reduced projectile (rocks, etc) jump dramatically.
We should throw in something about using small rifle primers in place of small pistol, or maybe something about the new primer plants that are getting ready to start up.
You could get a box of these and try them out backwards…
View attachment 1095443
https://nereloading.com/38 caliber .357 bulk 148 grain hollow base wadcutter lead bullets for reloading free shipping in stock.html
Confused, that’s not even from this thread.?
OP asks if he has to crimp before using the FCD, or if he can use it to crimp after just seating a bullet.
15 people reply with how horrible the FCD is, and tell OP he doesn't need it.
15 people reply with how great the FCD is and how it does everything from mowing the lawn, to bringing you a cold beer in your easy chair.
15 people go on how they've reloaded for XXX years and have never needed one themselves.
Maybe 2 people actually gave the poor guy a relevant answer.
Pretty typical Lee FCD thread all in all. We should throw in something about using small rifle primers in place of small pistol, or maybe something about the new primer plants that are getting ready to start up.