ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,797
"He insists that the FCD should not be used when reloading lead bullets."
Web guru BS. The handgun FCD somply assures every round will chamber; if chambering every time, all the time, is no problem then it does't matter.
The FCD is just another tool in our arsenal; it either helps or 'hurts' depending on what an individual handgun or load needs and making a flat statement about what others need or don't need ignores the fact that we don't all need the same things.
There's a carbide sizing ring at the mouth of the FCD die. It's big enough that cartridges which are within SAMMI max cartridge diameter spec won't be touched by the ring, only those that are oversized will be affected. It's not necessary for lead bullets to be more than a thou over normal diameter for most barrels and that little bit will rarely - if ever - be touched by the FCD's post seating sizer but it's currently popular to use bullets much larger than needed. When fat bullets are pushed into thicker than normal cases the sizer ring WILL make sure the finished round will feed and chamber even in a snug chamber. SAMMI case and cartridge dimensions do not over lap but reloaders can surely change that by using fat bullets!Those of us with fat chambers obviously can use fat ammo with few problems but that fit is chance, not the specific dies used. Chambers MAY be as much as 10 thou over cartridge diameter but that's a tolerance range, it's not a goal.
"He recommends Lyman dies over the others."
Your guru is on much better ground with that. Actually, the only functional difference is Lyman's excellant dual-diameter "M" expander that makes it easy to sufficently expand case mouths to prevent bullet heel damage duting seating without excessively working the brass. Redding started copying the M a few years ago (and maybe RCBS too?) so I guess Lyman's patent protection has expired.
Lee's FCD for rifles is a totally different device. It's probably the best rifle crimper made but it has a moving part and that seems to buffalo some people.
Web guru BS. The handgun FCD somply assures every round will chamber; if chambering every time, all the time, is no problem then it does't matter.
The FCD is just another tool in our arsenal; it either helps or 'hurts' depending on what an individual handgun or load needs and making a flat statement about what others need or don't need ignores the fact that we don't all need the same things.
There's a carbide sizing ring at the mouth of the FCD die. It's big enough that cartridges which are within SAMMI max cartridge diameter spec won't be touched by the ring, only those that are oversized will be affected. It's not necessary for lead bullets to be more than a thou over normal diameter for most barrels and that little bit will rarely - if ever - be touched by the FCD's post seating sizer but it's currently popular to use bullets much larger than needed. When fat bullets are pushed into thicker than normal cases the sizer ring WILL make sure the finished round will feed and chamber even in a snug chamber. SAMMI case and cartridge dimensions do not over lap but reloaders can surely change that by using fat bullets!Those of us with fat chambers obviously can use fat ammo with few problems but that fit is chance, not the specific dies used. Chambers MAY be as much as 10 thou over cartridge diameter but that's a tolerance range, it's not a goal.
"He recommends Lyman dies over the others."
Your guru is on much better ground with that. Actually, the only functional difference is Lyman's excellant dual-diameter "M" expander that makes it easy to sufficently expand case mouths to prevent bullet heel damage duting seating without excessively working the brass. Redding started copying the M a few years ago (and maybe RCBS too?) so I guess Lyman's patent protection has expired.
Lee's FCD for rifles is a totally different device. It's probably the best rifle crimper made but it has a moving part and that seems to buffalo some people.
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