460 S&W crimp help

[243winxb]

a custom Lee FCD

The one like used for rifles may work better. http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1285798187.4555=/html/catalog/dies-crimp.html

RIFLE:

A Custom Factory Crimp Die for rifle cartridges can be made for any cartridge with a bullet diameter up to .458 inch and a maximum outer diameter at the base of .580.

We need:

Payment of $29.00 ($25.00 + $4.00 processing fee)
Dummy cartridge (a bullet seated in an empty case)
Rifle Factory Crimp Dies are cartridge specific and there are a few that cannot be made. Any handgun case that is of a bottleneck design qualifies because the die would have to be made much like the rifle factory crimp dies but we do not make die bodies shorter than that you would find on a .223 Remington. Examples would be the 30 Mauser, 7.62 x 25 and the .357 Sig. The 50 AE also applies because the case is too short for the die bodies available.

PISTOL:

Custom Carbide Factory Crimp Dies for handgun cartridges can be made for most handgun cartridges that are not in regular stock. Sizes available run from 25 ACP sized cases up to the 480 Ruger. The 50 AE cannot be made because the carbide ring necessary for this cartridge is too large for our manufacturing process.

We need:

Payment of $34.00 ($30.00 + $4.00 processing fee)

 

[buck460XVR]

As I said WAY up there, the LEE FCD dies is the way to go. As opposed to various internet pundits who haven't reloaded for a 460 S&W Revolver or load rather low pressure rounds, I actually load for one and use full house loads. So yes, when I crimp my rounds with a Lee FCD, the bullet stays firmly in place and does not move forward.

You talkin' to me?

Sorry , but I too load for the .460 and load full house loads, probably as many or more than you have. After thousands of reloads for my X-Frame, I have yet to have to use a band-aid fix like the FCD die to keep my bullets from jumping the crimp. Just cause my method works for me and is different than yours, why do you feel the need to ridicule and call folks names? IMHO, Not really the High Road. If you are using Lee dies, you may well need the FCD to keep you bullets in place. If the FCD is the Golden Fleece of crimp dies, I wonder why it is only Lee that feels the need to include it with their dies? I dunno, but if it works for you fine, but don't bash me or others cause our method works for us.

 

[crimsoncomet]

Guys. I want to thank all of you guys for your help. Whether you load for the 460 or not, you all have had someting to add that has helped me out. So, I appreciate it. I went from bad to better. I showed my crimp to a fellow reloader (of 40+ years) yesterday, and he could not believe that they were jumping crimp. I ordered a redding profile crimp die. I have read this solves the problem. I think that putting such a heavy roll crimp is relieving my neck tension. I ordered this because it is more readily availible than the FCD, and i could have it in a couple days. If it does not work, i will be looking at the FCD die. Thanks again guys.

 

[Walkalong]

I have a couple of Redding profile crimp dies, and they work quite well, but so do the RCBS crimp dies I have. I have had very good luck with both.

 

[Strongbad]

@strongbad- I may try what you are doing. You dont happen to have any pictures do you? That would be awesome.

It's a couple days late CC, sorry. Let me see if I can snap some photos in the morning and put them out on Photobucket. Your new crimp looks just like them though. Let us know when the Redding die comes in and/or drop me a PM. One way or another we'll get it done.

 

[crimsoncomet]

Thanks Strongbad. I found that my profile crimp die was here when i came in from work tonight. I will post monday, when i find out how it works. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Franco]

I know this might be beating a dead horse but let me also chime in on the Lee FCD. I was having all kinds of issues crimping because my RCBS crimp die didn't seem to properly crimp when using Hornady cases. So I purchased a Lee FCD and it crimps perfectly with all cases. I use RCBS for all of my reloading needs but substitute the RCBS crimp die with the Lee FCDs for every caliber/bullet that requires crimping. Good luck.

 

[crimsoncomet]

still jumping

Hey guys,
I loaded up a round using my new redding die today. Works like a dream. I measured the round, loaded the gun up and fired away. The bullet moved forward AGAIN! So i seated it back and ran it through the crimp die. I crimp it as much as a could. Looked pretty good. Fired three rounds, and then measured the round. It moved forward, but only .002". It this tolerable. I think a may just order the factory crimp die like i should have. I want to shoot these heavy bullets, I just dont know if i can get them to stay in the case. Are you guys, who are using FCD, getting any movement at all out of your bullet? Like .002"?

 

[Walkalong]

.002 is teeny tiny, and less than the variation in your seating length I betcha. Let us know how the FCD works out. If it still moves, it's lack of proper neck tension, but me, I wouldn't get excited about .002.

 

[Franco]

I don't believe that I get any movement when I use the FCD. I've noticed some slight variations while shooting, less than .002, but the difference is so small that I'm never sure if that was just a natural variance in my original loads -- I don't measure every finished cartridge when seating, just the 1st couple and then every 5th or so make sure my seating die isn't moving. I would suggest the FCD but, as Walkalong stated, .002 is nothing to lose sleep over.

 

[Flintknapper]

I'll try this one more time........Get the FCD, problem solved.

Just do it, please.


Flint.

 

[crimsoncomet]

FCD is ordered. My dummy round went in the mail day before yesterday. I will let you guys know what happens. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Walkalong]

Will the custom FCD for .460 work like the pistol FCD or the rifle FCD?

 

[Grumulkin]

It works like the rifle FCD.

 

[Walkalong]

Thanks....

That should work to hold the bullet still. My only worry would be damage to the bullet and possible consequences accuracy wise. Should be OK though. Looking forward to the results.

 

[sig2009]

The Lee FCD does indeed resize the bullet diameter and no one is going to tell me different. I have experimented with the FCD with various bullet tensions and it does resize the bullet.

 

[crimsoncomet]

So, I got home from work last night, and to my pleasant surprise, I found my 460 FCD! I played with it a little but havent had much time yet. I am very pleased with Lee. They recieved my dummy cartridge last saturday and I recieved the die this saturday. Great service. I should be loading a few up tomorrow.

 

[243winxb]

Lee Factory Crimp Die - Rifle Model

I do not own a Lee FCD, pic are from internet.Don't over do it. Internet pics.

 

[crimsoncomet]

Do you mind telling me how you set your die so that I so not make that mistake?

 

[Grumulkin]

It's not really a mistake. If you crimp bullets without a cannelure, you will make a groove in the bullet but it doesn't seem to adversely affect accuracy. I use a FCD to crimp bullets without cannelures for a 300 Weatherby and a 375 H&H Magnum.

 

[788Ham]

Not meaning to hijack this thread: I bought an Lee FCD when loading some .44 mag ctgs, the RCBs die didn't seem to me to be putting a tight enough crimp in the cannalure in the loaded cases. The Lee made all of the difference. So I bought an Lee FCD die for every caliber I load. Yes 243winxb, if lowered into the press too far, and no cannalure, they will pinch the bullet, I didn't like that on mine, personal preference, so backed out a blonde hair, and now they're fine. Crimsoncomet, some experimentation on your part will be needed to bring it to "your" satisfaction level, don't be afraid to mess up a couple of cases, they'll fire form and no one will know but you.:banghead: Be safe and enjoy.

 

[crimsoncomet]

Thanks the input 788Ham. I am not scared to play around. I actually enjoy experimenting and trying out new reloading techniques. That is part of the fun. I am having a little trouble with the new FCD. I screwed the die down until it touched the shell holder andthen a half turn more. It didnt seem to crimp much at all. I then went a quater turn more and that is all the adjustment! I went another quarter turn and the press cammed over. Hopefully this did not hurt the die. Is this normal?!?! Seems like that is all i can get out of it. So we will see what happend when shooting.

Also, it seems like the collet in the die as some edges that do not line up perfectly when totally closed.

 

[788Ham]

Crimson,

I didn't adjust mine that way, as you'd described yours. I screwed mine in until it touched the top {or as I perceived the top} of the case/bullet when at the top of the stroke, just kept making adjustments until it started to crimp. I removed mine probably 5-6 times, looking and re-looking at the crimp, adjusting and looking. I use an magnifying glass, check it out and make an adjustment, finally I call it quits, or I'd be there tweaking all night! Some of the ctgs I reload I can use cannalured bullets, some, like my .223 I can't, so I leave it set from last time and continue with this batch. No, I don't think you can hurt the die, I haven't mine! LOL Yes, this is normal, one doesn't have to use a lot of pressure to make the crimp die work, not like resizing cases, if it appears to be too much pressure, back it off 1/2 to 3/4 turn and experiment. The collet edges won't always appear to be totally closed, and if by chance you totally hosed the die up....... they're only about $7-$8 bucks. Good luck and let me know how/if things work out ok!

 

[Walkalong]

just kept making adjustments until it started to crimp. I removed mine probably 5-6 times, looking and re-looking at the crimp, adjusting and looking. I use an magnifying glass, check it out and make an adjustment,

That's how to do it. Who cares how many or how much of a turn on the die it is.

 

[243winxb]

Lee Instructions >

Factory crimp die adjustment

The amount of crimp applied will be consistent if your press has mechanical stops built into the lever linkage, and you lower the lever to the stop every time. Start with the Factory Crimp die turned into the press until it stops against the shell holder with the ram raised all the way. Lower the ram, and turn the die in one full turn. Now try crimping a case, making sure that you raise the ram (lower the lever) all the way to the stop. You will feel slight resistance at the top of the stroke, as the crimp collet is forced up into the die body.

If the crimp is not firm enough, turn the die in another 1/4 turn and try again. If you turn the die in to the point where the four slits in the collet are closed when the ram is raised all the way, you have reached the limit.