Lee FCD hitting every round

I've had the FCD do this when I load .357 Magnum. Don't know what causes it, but many people say there is a post-sizing function to this die. I suppose it has something to do with the bullet having expanded the case, which it is supposed to do, and the ring just catching on that expanded portion.

Have you tried running a sized and flared but not loaded (no bullet) case through the crimping function? I'm guessing it would not exhibit this characteristic.

God i hate the Lee FCD, i mean i really hate it. I pretty much dont crimp at all anymore, and when i do i use a Light roll crimp.

However when I ran them through the FCD, every round caught the carbide ring on the way out. I have heard this means something is wrong in my other steps, any ideas on what would cause this? I am at a loss

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Hitting on the way in on the case mouth and or bullet area is normal. Probably shouldn't hit with XTPs at all on the bullet area.

Hitting on the way out doesn't sound right to me.

Toss it, end of problem it couldn't find.

Or the problem it made!

Every time I pulled a bullet out I got this "bump" of resistance, what is weird is I can run the same round through again and again and I get it everytime, so it doesn't seem to be resizing anything

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I get the same effect.

The RCBS .38/.357 die set I have is a TC vice RC set, meaning it taper crimps (that purchase was in error, just didn't know any better at the time). That's why I acquired the FCD. It does do a nice job of applying roll crimp.

Mine does the same with most rounds to a varying degree. With some brass it seems more regular (thicker brass, perhaps). I've checked my ammo in the usual ways (barrel "thunk" test, function test) both before and after entering the FCD and they all function fine. Using the FCD I've had zero malfunctions, and produced accurate ammo. The sizing ring might be a bit tight, or it might just be ironing out a minimal bulge somewhere.

IMO don't worry about it IF the ammo functions properly and is accurate for you.

FYI here's a thread where I asked about the same issue; some good info to consider.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=594325

I get the "bump" in and out on MOST of the 45acp I load , I have pulled and checked the bullets, no distortian of any kind to the bullets. I have tryed two FCDs, and cast bullets from different casters, same thing. I think as long as the die is not resizing the bullet, all is good.
On the 38 spcl. the sizing ring very seldom hits, not sure why in either case. Anyway, never a feeding issue with the 45s since I started useing FCD years back.

The FCD is unnecessary if you do all the prior operations correctly.

I have no use for the LCD. That die was made to correct a nonexistent problem. Using it on pistol ammo is a waste. Besides if your using it on a soft lead you deform the bullet which kills your bullet fit to barrel.

Throw the die away, not needed.

I use some FCD's. I like the knob adjustment and the roll crimp on revolver ammo. Sometimes with lead bullets they will catch on the die. The only caliber that I felt was catching too much was .44 mag and I discontinued the FCD for that. I don't like crimping with the seating die. Prefer separate Redding crimp dies and have several of them.

I use the Lee factory crimp die on 9mm and 45acp....mine does the little bump thing also and have no issues...many 100's of rounds crimped and HAPPY. Dont over-think it if it works well in your gun you are good to go : )

Its all in the thickness of the brass, how much bell you apply. I barely bell enough to get a bullet to set(fmj), and mine still bumps like you say. I've measured the case mouth before and after, and its never changed. I like it for the simple fact of seperating the seating and crimping, and it fills a hole in my turret. I didn't have a problem before I bought them, and still don't have any now. But I agree that if you need one to get your ammo to work, you do have issues to correct, but if you prefer to seperate crimping and seating, its a very nice tool.

Every time I pulled a bullet out I got this "bump" of resistance, what is weird is I can run the same round through again and again and I get it everytime, so it doesn't seem to be resizing anything,

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What you are likely "feeling" is the sleeve inside the die that does the crimping and has some slide movement in the die as it grabs and releases the case mouth when pulling out the sized round. Cleaning the crimping area on this part can help this "grabbing".

Mine does it with lead bullets, but rarely if ever with copper bullets. Thousands of rounds later, no problems to speak of. I thought nothing of it until you mentioned it. As mentioned by Steve, I clean them good, especially after using the lead.

I get the bump on .357 mag.
I too don't know what the cause is, but, my rounds all fit in the Wilson case gauge & my revolver.

As a Commercial loader, I use and recommend the FCD. If you want ammo to chamber and fire EVERY TIME, use it.

Thick brass, slightly oversize bullet, does not matter. A great looking round that does not chamber is worthless.

Once it is set the way you want it, you don't have to change it around.

If you want ammo to chamber and fire EVERY TIME, use it.

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Gosh, how do you explain all the reloaders over decades, having their reloads "chamber and fire EVERY TIME" without the FCD.

Don

I think its preference thing. I personally like the LFC die, but of course on here if somoeone doesnt use it then it automatically sucks. The FC die just smoothes out any small inperfections there might be, and I have never had a round not feed when using the FCD. The people who claim it resizes bullets have the die adjusted wrong.

Dont take everything you read on here to heart. All i heard was how unique wouldnt feed through a auto disc powder measure, finially i tried it and after measuring 30 in a row that weighed within .2 i was really upset at myself to not using it a year ago just because i read it didnt work.

I have used and sometimes still use the FCD. And yes, I get that awful bump. As was stated above, if you want to make sure the ammo works every time then use it. But, in 7000 rounds of loading 9mm there has only been one time the die was really necessary.

I somehow buckled a case while seating the bullet. There was a large horseshoe shape in the side of the case about a 16th of an inch deep. I took the case off the press and rolled it across the bench. Yes, it was bent and went bump, bump, bump while rolling. I thought, Hmm, FCD, lets see if this thing really works so I put the case back into the press and ran it through the die and then did the bench test again. Perfect roll! Straight as an arrow. So the real test is if it would run through the gun at the range. It did with no problems whatsoever.

If I had not caught my mistake either on the press or when loading a mag there would definately have been a malfunction during shooting.

The fact is that I did catch the mistake and it has only happened once. Therefore I don't see the FCD as a necessary item. However I do use it as a seperate crimp die at times.
I have heard of people knocking out the carbide insert and using the die only as a crimp die without the resizing effect.

I would also suggest that when in doubt - ask the guy who made it - I have called and found Lee's customer service staff to be extremely courteous, friendly and helpful.

The phone number to Lee Precision is :

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7:30am-3:45pm Central Standard Time (CST)
phone: (262) 673-3075
fax: (262) 673-9273

glockky said:

The people who claim it resizes bullets have the die adjusted wrong.

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Or are shooting oversized lead pills.

I supposed technically it's not sizing/acting on the bullet directly, but you put an oversized bullet in a case and run it through, it's going to squish the bullet at least a bit (but actually 'sizing' using pressure through the case walls).