9mm Lee factory crimp die needed?

[ochadd]

So I picked up a Lee 4 die set out of the bargain bin at Cabelas and apparently I got screwed and the factory crimp die is missing. Came with a 40 S&W expanding die instead. After checking Lee's videos and help it appears this isn't a mandatory step. The bullet seater gives instructions on setting a crimp and I'm a bit confused why the 4th die is needed. Is it just for confirmation that it will chamber?

It's not a big deal if I need to order a new one as they are $14 through Wideners but I would like to reload some this weekend if it's not a mandatory step. Reloading plinking/target rounds for a Taurus/Beretta 92.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Load away. The FCD is not necessary at all. Just remember that all you are doing when you crimp semi-auto cases is to just remove the bell and maybe a tiny bit more.

If you are concerned about chambering. Use your barrel to check your finished rounds. Remove the barrel from the slide and drop the cartridge into the chamber. You should hear a solid "clunk" when the case mouth hits the raised end of the chamber.

 

[rfwobbly]

If you are using a 4-stage press, then I find it better to use the Lee TAPER Crimp Die in the 4th position. If you shoot soft plated or plain lead bullets, then crimping and seating in the same die (3rd station) can mangle the bullet nose if the seating ram doesn't match the shape of your bullet. You can buy those at Midway, Grafs, and other Lee dealers.

 

[Walkalong]

better to use the Lee TAPER Crimp Die

Gotta agree with that. (or any standard crimp die)

 

[loadedround]

From my experience with the 9mm, a properly adjusted seating/taper crimp die is all that's necessary in loading the 9mm. Since this cartridge headspaces on it's case mouth, just a "kiss of crimp" is needed to remove any mouth expansion from your second, or expander die. It is true however to use a four die set in a progressive press since it's much easier to set separate seating and crimping dies in a progessive press, or as a matter of fact in any press. It could be considered an unnecessary extra step in a single station press. Don't waste your money on a Lee FCD for the 9mm, it's not needed.

 

[SSN Vet]

well if you were supposed to get it, and the wrong die was in the box, I'd simply call Lee and have them swap out the one you have.

whether you use it or not, you paid for it, so you might as well have it.

In general, I like Lee equipment, but their product nomenclature is very confusing....

If you read through their web sight very carefully, you will see that the "Factory Crimp Die" can be different, depending on what cartridge you are loading. If you are buying the 4 die set for a cartridge that head spaces off of the case mouth, the "Factory Crimp Die" that you get with the set, will indeed be a taper crimp die (with Lee's "famous" post sizing ring in it").

 

[Walkalong]

whether you use it or not, you paid for it, so you might as well have it.

Yep.

 

[something vague]

Absolutely get a hold of Lee and get what you paid for. I don't use the LFCD and also don't really like the idea of it. But it belongs in the set you bought and you might as well have it. You may end up liking it as others do but could also be helpful if you decide to sell the set in its complete form. Either way, get Lee to give you the right die.

If loading on a single stage you can go ahead and properly adjust your seater die to put the proper crimp on the loaded round. I would reccomend doing this in a different step rather than with the seating proccess. I never had good luck while trying to crimp while seating in the same step. It's odvious why this doesn't work well.

 

[zxcvbob]

Was it sold as an "open box"? If so, I don't think it's Lee's fault.

I load 9mm using a Lee 3-die set, and it works great. No need for the FCD die in a tapered cartridge. (I do use one, reluctantly, as a post-sizing die in .357 Magnum.)

 

[ochadd]

I'm using an RCBS rockchucker single stage. So the process would be to adjust the bullet seating die just to seat the bullet without crimping. Then run them through again in a separate step adjusted to just crimp? Sounds good to me. I bought 200 rounds each of 115gr JHP, 124gr JHP, and 250 Barrys plated 115gr RN to try out.

I'll give Lee a call on Monday and see if they will trade me dies. It's most likely Cabela's fault for not verifying all the dies were correct. Was bought out of the bargain cave and they don't allow returns. The case was all broken so I assumed that was why it was in there. Was taped shut so couldn't check it out in the store.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[zxcvbob]

So the process would be to adjust the bullet seating die just to seat the bullet without crimping. Then run them through again in a separate step adjusted to just crimp? Sounds good to me. I bought 200 rounds each of 115gr JHP, 124gr JHP, and 250 Barrys plated 115gr RN to try out.

I seat and crimp 9mm bullets at the same time in one operation. It's a little tricky setting up the die until you get used to it. I don't use a heavy crimp in 9mm; never found a need to.

 

[Walkalong]

.32 ACP, 9MM, .40, .45 ACP etc can all be seated and taper crimped in one operation because very little crimp is needed.

I do however, crimp in a fourth step for the majority of my loads now.

 

[billybob44]

The Lee Factory Crimp Die is useful.

Well, I might as well speak for the minority-I use the Lee Factory Crimp Die in my 9MM loads. I load on a Dillon RL550 with Dillon dies. I use the LFC die in place of the Dillon taper crimp die. I do this to avoid the "Glocked out" brass that sometimes goes through. The sizer ring on the Lee die helps a bunch for me. With this system in use, I very seldom have a load that does not go through my case gauge. I use a VERY small amount of Lee products, but their Factory Crimp Die I use in 9MM+.45acp loads.

 

[RustyFN]

I am probably one in the minority. I use a FCD for every caliber I load. I don't use it to fix ammo, I use it instead of a case gage. I figure if the FCD doesn't post size the round then it is in spec and good to go. If it does post size the round then after I take it out of the press I inspect it to see if it needs to be pulled. I have never had a round not chamber or had any other problems so I guess it has been working good so far. I also like to seat and crimp in separate steps. Out of thousands of rounds I have only had two that were post sized.

 

[armoredman]

I also use the FCD, I like it, handy tool. Use it on 9mm and 38 Spl.

 

[schmeky]

If you are concerned about chambering. Use your barrel to check your finished rounds. Remove the barrel from the slide and drop the cartridge into the chamber.

With all due respect, it's not pratical to do this with every loaded round if you load a lot and time is a factor. Using the FCD is a form of QA/QC. Nothing wrong with using it.

I use range brass and load quite a bit. When a round meets with resistance on the FCD, I normally chunk it in the trash, cause the FCD is telling something is wrong. Typically, it's an A-Merc piece of sh_t case.

Like others said, I would call Lee, my gut feeling is they will make it right. Sounds like you bought the set expecting it to be included.

 

[Walkalong]

I use the LFC die in place of the Dillon taper crimp die. I do this to avoid the "Glocked out" brass that sometimes goes through.

If your sizer will not size this brass enough, the FCD die will not either. It's carbide ring is bigger than 9MM sizer dies.

99% of problems "solved" with the Lee FCD die can be solved with better load procedure. IMHO of course.

I don't use it to fix ammo, I use it instead of a case gage. I figure if the FCD doesn't post size the round then it is in spec and good to go.

Can't argue with that. Sounds like a good way to find problems, then cure the cause.

 

[SPW1]

He said he got it at the bargain bin at Cabelas, I doubt it was lees fault that there was a 40 s&w die in there, probably more an issue of it being opened at the store and things getting mixed up there.

 

[SSN Vet]

you could just go back to Cabellas and buy the 40 cal. Lee set from the bargain cave and you'll probably get you 9mm LFCD.....

 

[ochadd]

Loaded the first 100 rounds crimping as a separate function. Did the second 100 rounds seating and crimping together. Both worked out great and cycled well.

I'm getting filthy cases. Factory cartridges are right at 1.167 COL but a couple manuals are calling for 1.1" so that's what Im setting them to. Throwing TightGroup at 3.9, 4, and 4.2 grains with 115gr plated RN. 124 gr JHP with four grains and the brass is coming out black with soot. Using CCI 400 small rifle primers.

Loading pistol really makes me want a progressive press.

 

[Walkalong]

Titegroup is bad about staining cases, even though it burns clean with almost no residue.

700X, AA #2, N320, Zip American Select, & Red Dot are all good for light 9MM loads, and will leave cases cleaner.

My two favorites for light 9MM loads are N320 & 700X, with AA #2 close behind.

Dirty cases don't hurt a thing, but I do prefer loads that leave the brass clean, when I can get them.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I guess I'm in the minority too because I like and use the Lee FCD for all my handgun ammo too, both revolver and semi-auto calibers.

I have to agree with "RustyFN", the post-sizing feature of the FCD is what I like most about it.

 

[The Bushmaster]

And if you need the "post sizing" feature of the Lee FCD you need to go back and review your reloading procedures. Something ain't right...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

And if you need the "post sizing" feature of the Lee FCD you need to go back and review your reloading procedures. Something ain't right...

I agree completely. I, like posted above, like the fact it can catch a mistake if one is made. I've yet to have one but it's nice to know there is a safety net. Besides, I have a 4 hole turret press and it fills the 4th hole...

 

[Jeff H]

And if you need the "post sizing" feature of the Lee FCD you need to go back and review your reloading procedures. Something ain't right...

I use the FCD on some but not all calibers and I find that the only cases that really seem to get any post sizing are a handful of 357 nickel cases I have. I guess the plating makes them a tad to wide after a .358" bullet is inserted. There is a definite difference between the feel between brass and nickel cases.

On my 45ACP dies, I use the FCD just to crimp and don't know that I have ever noticed any post sizing, maybe just a bit.