9mm Lee factory crimp die needed?

[chris in va]

I just started reloading but I find the FCD to come in handy as it flattens out the case mouth rim a bit for easier feeding in my CZ. It's had a problem with the rounds getting hung up on the next one trying to come in.

 

[RustyFN]

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...

And actually does a nice job crimping also.

 

[NuJudge]

I load mostly cast bullets. I've used the FCD in the past on 9mm, but I have several 9mm pistols with large groove diameters and Leading problems. I believe the FCD is reducing bullet diameter in the case. I believe I am going to try just a crimp die, and see if my Leading problems go away.

CDD

 

[jcwit]

I load mostly cast bullets. I've used the FCD in the past on 9mm, but I have several 9mm pistols with large groove diameters and Leading problems. I believe the FCD is reducing bullet diameter in the case. I believe I am going to try just a crimp die, and see if my Leading problems go away.

CDD

You Sir have discovered the fallacy of the FCD.

 

[RustyFN]

I load mostly cast bullets. I've used the FCD in the past on 9mm, but I have several 9mm pistols with large groove diameters and Leading problems. I believe the FCD is reducing bullet diameter in the case. I believe I am going to try just a crimp die, and see if my Leading problems go away.

CDD

I think 9mm would be less of a problem being a tapered case but you are correct, there is a chance the FCD is sizing the bullet. What I have done for example is I cast my own bullets for 45 auto. Every case that goes into the FCD I can feel resistance and was worried about the same thing as you. What I did was backed out the crimp adjustment stem so the die wouldn't crimp. I loaded a few without primers or powder and after seating them ran them into the FCD all the way but no crimp. I felt resistance on every one. I pulled the bullets. I size all of my 45's at .452. Every bullet I pulled still measured .452.. I took one before I pulled it and pushed it into the bench very hard and the bullet didn't budge. Good luck and I hope you find your leading problem.

Edit: I forgot to add that I measured the case before and after with my caliper and came to the conclusion that what I was feeling was the FCD straightening out the bell that the powder/expander die put in.

 

[Bear2000]

I always use the FCD with my 9mm loads on my Classic Turret Press. I'm not sure I know why, I just followed the instructions when I first got it and now it's habit. My loads shoot very well - 125 gr Zero JHP over 4.2 gr of Titegroup, 1.125" OAL is my standard recipe.

 

[Uncle Chan]

I, too, use the LFCD in every caliber I load. Good habit to be in, IMHO.

 

[Walkalong]

I have posted this before, but here goes.

How in the world did reloaders get by all those decades without this wonderful cure all die. One can only wonder.

 

[The Bushmaster]

And we got along just fine without a calculater at the loading bench all these years too, but I find one quite handy and faster then my pencil on paper. And more accurate...But...Like I said. I only use one for my .30-30 rounds and only for the better crimp...

 

[jfh]

As noted earlier, I have my FCD dies set up to "crimp only"--that is, with the die body set high enough, I am able to fine-tune the crimp amount. My #3 / Lee seater-crimper die has been carefully adjusted to 1) seat the bullet and 2) remove most (if not all) of the bell from the #2 / PTED.

Experimentation with new building as well as checking previously-loaded cartridges have shown me that it is easy to distinguish between the FCD crimping action and the post-sizing.

And, now that I am confident in my ability to do the right kind / amount of crimping (at least with my Lee dies), I will probably go back and set up at least one turret with a 3-die configuration. But, only after I have that particular caliber cartridge components--the brass and the bullet--standardized. One brand of case, one brand / spec of bullet.

If that is boringly reliable, I'll then get out old turret #1 (original turret, 3-die) and run that round from there--but then I'll get frustrated with 3-strokes-per cartridge, and move it all over to the Load-Master--and start all over again.

Winters are long for me.

Jim H.

 

[RustyFN]

I have posted this before, but here goes.

How in the world did reloaders get by all those decades without this wonderful cure all die. One can only wonder.

And since you can crimp in the seating die I guess every manufacture should stop making a separate crimp die. After all people loaded for years without one.

 

[Walkalong]

That is a mighty big jump, and silly as well. I believe you missed the point. It isn't the crimp feature that is touted. The pistol FCD crimps just like any other crimper. Not as well as some, probably better than some. The issue that is so touted is the post sizing feature. Some of us think it is a solution to a non problem. Some hail it as the savior of reloaders. You know the posts. "My reloads wouldn't work until I got the FCD die". After that they never look for the real problem/solution, and spread the great news of their finding with blissful ignorance.

I don't mean to say folks who know how to reload and like the FCD die should quit using it. I have never said that. I do mean that it is not the wonder cure that some tout it for, it doesn't crimp better than anything else out there, and hopefully new reloaders learning their trade will look further than it for their answers.

 

[RustyFN]

The pistol FCD crimps just like any other crimper. Not as well as some, probably better than some.

That is the only point I was trying to make. Trust me I am on your side when it comes to using the FCD as a fix all. It wouldn't bother me if they stopped making them and included a standard crimp die in the four die set, but I do like to use the post sizing ring instead of a case gage.

 

[Walkalong]

Gotcha. I misunderstood. AC

 

[PO2Hammer]

This won't be popular around here, but I went from four dies, including the FCD, to two dies. Sizer and competition seater. (auto pistol rounds)
The competition seater will seat any jacketed or plated bullet without flaring the case, no bulges, no scraped bullets, no crimp needed.
Bullet tension is improved, set back all but eliminated, and accuracy is better than ever. Brass life should be improved by reducing the working of the necks.

 

[RustyFN]

This won't be popular around here, but I went from four dies, including the FCD, to two dies. Sizer and competition seater. (auto pistol rounds)
The competition seater will seat any jacketed or plated bullet without flaring the case, no bulges, no scraped bullets, no crimp needed.
Bullet tension is improved, set back all but eliminated, and accuracy is better than ever. Brass life should be improved by reducing the working of the necks.

Single stage press? Just wondered if you are measuring every charge by hand now since you eliminated the powder die.

 

[zeke]

PO2Hammer-even less popular is the Lee undersize die route. Followed by the Lee universal plugger, than Redding Comp die. It does cure setback issues, when ya want/need to.