How much crimp? Lee FCD guidance sought. - Page 5

Gato Montés · May 27, 2011, 11:26 PM

Thanks for the input. The one on the left is CBC (Magtech) brass, center is Remington and right is Winchester. CBC tends to be the longest brass and Winchester is the shortest, so I have to find a medium between the two (or just suck it up and buy a trimmer).

**Walkalong** · June 28, 2011, 05:52 PM

A Modified Roll Crimp on a 100 Gr XTP in .32 Mag.

**Walkalong** · July 25, 2011, 07:08 PM

Very Light Taper Crimp on .38 S&W

Berrys 148 Gr HBWC & X-Treme 158 Gr SWC - 1.035 & 1.075 O.A.L.

StandingTall · July 28, 2011, 09:34 AM

Walkalong, your bullet photos are works of art!

**Walkalong** · July 28, 2011, 10:51 AM

Thanks, but the pros here take better pics. I just take a whole bunch and delete most of them to get a couple that are satisfactory.

Fishslayer · July 28, 2011, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Walkalong, your bullet photos are works of art!

I agree. That .32 Magnum is definitely a work of art.

Quote:

Thanks, but the pros here take better pics. I just take a whole bunch and delete most of them to get a couple that are satisfactory.

The pros throw out a lot of pics, too.

Thanks for taking the time to post them. I've learned a lot. A picture truly is worth a thousand words.

sixgunner455 · August 31, 2011, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Thanks, but the pros here take better pics. I just take a whole bunch and delete most of them to get a couple that are satisfactory.

The pros throw out a lot of pics, too.

This is absolutely true. I've watched that process more times than I can count. It's why digital photography is such a blessing to amateurs - puts us on the same footing (nearly) as the pros, because most of us could never afford the film expense a pro write off as the price of getting that perfect shot.

This is a great thread. I just read the whole thing again, including the new posts from the last six months, which is about how long it's been since I read it last. It's brilliant to be able to actually see and compare to what I'm doing with my loads, too.

And I'm going to forward the link to a couple of people who are just starting out, so they can get better visuals of what things are supposed to look like.

I have a question about the .243. I just started loading for it, and I am wondering if I should crimp, or just rely on neck tension. Any thoughts?

bags533 · August 31, 2011, 01:01 PM

Great thread!

I just loaded my first rounds last night. 30 rounds of .357 with, what looks like I've seen here, a heavy roll crimp.

CavScoutSniper · September 20, 2011, 07:34 PM

The crimp on example "C" looks just about perfect. I use a LEE Factory Crimp Die. Just follow the instructions that come with the die and then feel your way along until you get the desired crimp. It wont take you long until you are crimping by feel and getting it just right.

CavScoutSniper · September 20, 2011, 07:40 PM

The LEE FCD is the way to go.

CavScoutSniper · September 20, 2011, 07:49 PM

It is a good method to start with. You can also start by getting some 55gr or 62 gr .223 bullets with cannelures and set the depth until you are just slightly deeper on the cannelure than dead center then crimp 'em right there. It's very important to get a good crimp on any semi auto like the AR to prevent bullet "set back" in the magazine due to recoil. Set back can drive the bullets in the magazine deep enough into the case to cause pressure spikes in subsequent shots, not good!

JohnM · December 12, 2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

The LEE FCD is the way to go.

I bought one of those when I ordered a carbide 3 die set to start loading .30 Carbine.
Tried it on quite a few rounds, but it just seems to work the mouth of the case too much for my liking.

The taper crimp shoulder in the regular seating die seems to give a much smoother crimp to the case.

I also batch load on a single stage and seat bullets, then reset the die and apply the taper crimp.

P-32 · December 17, 2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

The LEE FCD is the way to go

.

This is open for debate. I’ve never found the need for using a FCD for any of my pistol or revolver ammo. The crimps supplied by the seating die has done the job well, rolled or taper. Seperate operations.

If the FCD works for you don't assume it will be good for every one else.

The only rifle ammo I crimp is 30-30 with the roll crimp working just fine. 223, 308 and '06 is not crimped using SMK's.

**Walkalong** · December 30, 2011, 09:19 PM

Medium Roll Crimp on a .45 Colt 265 Gr SWC-HP (Cast by one of our own) Redding Profile Crimp Die

Lt.Dan · January 2, 2012, 08:45 PM

If I'm having issues with my .45 pushing the bullets in the case when feeding does that mean there is too light of a crimp?

**Walkalong** · January 2, 2012, 09:26 PM

Assuming .45 ACP, you do not have enough neck tension. Either the sizer is too big, or the expander is too big, or a little of both. Remington brand .45 ACP brass is the thinnest there is. Some sizers will not size it enough to give adequate neck tension. I have three .45 ACP sizers. One is too tight with thick brass, one won't work with thin Remington brass, and one is just about perfect.

blarby · January 10, 2012, 01:52 PM

Any chance of getting a few pics of your .30-30 crimp using a lee FCD ?

OldCavSoldier · January 11, 2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StandingTall

Walkalong, your bullet photos are works of art!

Definitely agree!

OldCavSoldier · January 11, 2012, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lt.Dan

If I'm having issues with my .45 pushing the bullets in the case when feeding does that mean there is too light of a crimp?

Yup! That's what I'm thinkin'

**Walkalong** · January 11, 2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

If I'm having issues with my .45 pushing the bullets in the case when feeding does that mean there is too light of a crimp?

Lack of neck tension. No amount of proper crimp on .45 ACP can fix poor neck tension. )

v8stang289 · January 12, 2012, 07:27 PM

Where does the lack of neck tension come from? Over belling the case to accept the bullet? or not having the seating die set up right? Or something else?

**Walkalong** · January 12, 2012, 09:24 PM

The sizer is too big, or the expander is too big, or some of both. Try sizing some cases and loading them without using the expander. If you have enough neck tension then, the expander is too big. If you don't, the sizer is too big.

Cearbhall · April 11, 2012, 09:52 PM

Bump. Too good of post to get lost.

chhodge69 · May 10, 2012, 10:33 PM

another bump to keep it alive.

Any chance this thread can become a sticky?

**Walkalong** · May 11, 2012, 07:08 AM

It is in the Sticky "Reloading Library of Wisdom", along with some other useful threads.

May 27, 2011, 11:26 PM	#101
Gato Montés Member Join Date: January 14, 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 581	Thanks for the input. The one on the left is CBC (Magtech) brass, center is Remington and right is Winchester. CBC tends to be the longest brass and Winchester is the shortest, so I have to find a medium between the two (or just suck it up and buy a trimmer). __________________ A true testament to a man's worth is not how much he has amassed, but how quick and how happy he is to share it.

July 28, 2011, 10:51 AM	#105
Walkalong Moderator Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 29,601	Thanks, but the pros here take better pics. I just take a whole bunch and delete most of them to get a couple that are satisfactory. __________________ Do you ever wonder why nobody ever robs the bag man for the mob? No, you don't. "Oh bother" said Pooh, as he chambered another round. Author unknown.

September 20, 2011, 07:34 PM	#109
CavScoutSniper Member Join Date: September 20, 2011 Posts: 3	How Much crimp? The crimp on example "C" looks just about perfect. I use a LEE Factory Crimp Die. Just follow the instructions that come with the die and then feel your way along until you get the desired crimp. It wont take you long until you are crimping by feel and getting it just right.

January 2, 2012, 09:26 PM	#116
Walkalong Moderator Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 29,601	Assuming .45 ACP, you do not have enough neck tension. Either the sizer is too big, or the expander is too big, or a little of both. Remington brand .45 ACP brass is the thinnest there is. Some sizers will not size it enough to give adequate neck tension. I have three .45 ACP sizers. One is too tight with thick brass, one won't work with thin Remington brass, and one is just about perfect. __________________ Do you ever wonder why nobody ever robs the bag man for the mob? No, you don't. "Oh bother" said Pooh, as he chambered another round. Author unknown.

January 10, 2012, 01:52 PM	#117
blarby Member Join Date: February 25, 2011 Location: JC, Oregon Posts: 2,900	Any chance of getting a few pics of your .30-30 crimp using a lee FCD ? __________________ 05/14/03 : My life has been CRAZY busy. If I owe you anything on a trade, or a PIF- please PM me with my apologies in advance !

July 28, 2011, 09:34 AM	#104
StandingTall Member Join Date: June 7, 2011 Posts: 103	Walkalong, your bullet photos are works of art!

August 31, 2011, 01:01 PM	#108
bags533 Member Join Date: August 14, 2011 Posts: 5	Great thread! I just loaded my first rounds last night. 30 rounds of .357 with, what looks like I've seen here, a heavy roll crimp.

September 20, 2011, 07:40 PM	#110
CavScoutSniper Member Join Date: September 20, 2011 Posts: 3	The LEE FCD is the way to go.

September 20, 2011, 07:49 PM	#111
CavScoutSniper Member Join Date: September 20, 2011 Posts: 3	It is a good method to start with. You can also start by getting some 55gr or 62 gr .223 bullets with cannelures and set the depth until you are just slightly deeper on the cannelure than dead center then crimp 'em right there. It's very important to get a good crimp on any semi auto like the AR to prevent bullet "set back" in the magazine due to recoil. Set back can drive the bullets in the magazine deep enough into the case to cause pressure spikes in subsequent shots, not good!

January 2, 2012, 08:45 PM	#115
Lt.Dan Member Join Date: December 21, 2011 Posts: 47	If I'm having issues with my .45 pushing the bullets in the case when feeding does that mean there is too light of a crimp?

January 12, 2012, 07:27 PM	#121
v8stang289 Member Join Date: October 1, 2006 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 295	Where does the lack of neck tension come from? Over belling the case to accept the bullet? or not having the seating die set up right? Or something else? __________________ NCSU 2008 Mathematics "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough" - Mario Andretti

January 12, 2012, 09:24 PM	#122
Walkalong Moderator Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 29,601	The sizer is too big, or the expander is too big, or some of both. Try sizing some cases and loading them without using the expander. If you have enough neck tension then, the expander is too big. If you don't, the sizer is too big. __________________ Do you ever wonder why nobody ever robs the bag man for the mob? No, you don't. "Oh bother" said Pooh, as he chambered another round. Author unknown.

April 11, 2012, 09:52 PM	#123
Cearbhall Member Join Date: January 23, 2010 Posts: 146	Bump. Too good of post to get lost.

May 10, 2012, 10:33 PM	#124
chhodge69 Member Join Date: June 19, 2011 Location: CLT, NC Posts: 463	another bump to keep it alive. Any chance this thread can become a sticky? __________________ If you won't trust me with my guns why should I trust you with my freedom?

May 11, 2012, 07:08 AM	#125
Walkalong Moderator Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 29,601	It is in the Sticky "Reloading Library of Wisdom", along with some other useful threads. __________________ Do you ever wonder why nobody ever robs the bag man for the mob? No, you don't. "Oh bother" said Pooh, as he chambered another round. Author unknown.