.38 Special
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- Sep 15, 2006
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The other thread on FCD use got me curious about how folks do it themselves.
There was another thread??The other thread on FCD use got me curious about how folks do it themselves.
There was another thread??
Not sure you choices are clear or cover JUST crimping with it. What’s the reliability piece?
99% of the time, when I use it, it’s for taper crimp only. No extra mumbo jumbo (technical term).
Yeah, I wasn't quite sure how to word it. Lee advertises the FCD partly as insurance against oversized or otherwise out-of-spec rounds which might tie up the gun, and I assume at least some people use it for that purpose. So I'm wondering if people use the die purely as a crimp die, or purely as a post sizer, or both.
I use the Lee FCD die VERY carefully! Always making sure the bullets are not getting swaged.
I think you will like it. It's seems the semi autos is where the issues and hate seem concentrated. On the way in you may feel a slight bump from brass flare and nothing on the way out. If your swaging with the ring you feel it both directions.If I were to use one, I would use it as designed; a crimp die with a sizing ring (for consistent cartridge diameter)...
Lately I've been thinking on getting an FCD for 38/357 and knocking out the carbide ring. Setting crimp seems like it would be easier just turning a knob...
Instructions, blasphemy!!!!!I follow the instructions included with the Lee FCD. There is a reason they come with instructions. Been doing that for at least 75,000 rounds of pistol cartridges.
I can't answer. I don't use the FCD for reliability, I use it for looks. Pure cosmetics. It makes a nice, clean, even crimp and irons out any wrinkles in the brass the sizing die leaves behind or the seating/crimping die introduce. I'm not even sure it improves reliability but I am sure it makes my loaded ammo more purty.The other thread on FCD use got me curious about how folks do it themselves.
The first page of every instruction manual should read, "Now that you have retrieved these instructions from the trash..."Instructions, blasphemy!!!!!
That's about an accurate statement.The first page of every instruction manual should read, "Now that you have retrieved these instructions from the trash..."
I know. If something comes with instructions I read them.Instructions, blasphemy!!!!!
It's a wonder you're still alive.I know. If something comes with instructions I read them.
If I got an FCD, the first thing I would do is knock our the carbide ring. I have no need to resize any handload, revolver or semi-auto, after crimping. I had an FCD for 44 Magnum years ago (curiosity only) and used it once. It swaged my perfectly sized cast bullets down so I knocked out the ring. The resulting crimp was just so-so and I already had a Redding Profile Crimp die so the FCD now resides in a landfill somewhere in So, Oregon. I am back to reloading 38/357after a 5 year layoff (other calibers came into my life) and guessed crimp adjusting would be easier with an FCD just turning a knob. If I dig deeper in my "junk stash" I might find a decent roll crimp die, but the FCD modified was just a thought...I think you will like it. It's seems the semi autos is where the issues and hate seem concentrated. On the way in you may feel a slight bump from brass flare and nothing on the way out. If your swaging with the ring you feel it both directions.