Crimping 9mm Not Required?

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CQB45ACP said:
Oh boy, here we go, it’s an FCD question…what can the FCD do to relieve worries about set-back?
Click to expand...

I thought that was obvious...

While a taper crimp die doesn't actually "crimp," a Lee FCD does, using a collet. Or is it more correctly a swage, not a crimp? Anyway, the fact that I can see where portions of the neck are actually pressed into the bullet's cannelure, if it has one, greatly relieves my worries. And it doesn't do it around the entire circumference, so I'm confident the cartridge can still headspace on the case mouth.

That's how it relieves my worries. It seems effective. I'm not advocating its use or claiming it's the right solution. I said I was wondering why it was only mentioned once and I'm curious as to why.

To put things in perspective, I've been reloading rifle, pistol and shotgun ammo for over thirty years without incident. I'm not saying I'm an expert by any means; just saying I'm not new at it. But I'm always looking to learn and improve.
 
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desmobob said:
I thought that was obvious...

While a taper crimp die doesn't actually "crimp," a Lee FCD does, using a collet. Or is it more correctly a swage? Anyway, the fact that I can see where portions of the neck are actually pressed into the bullet's cannelure, if it has one, relieves my worries. And it doesn't do it around the entire circumference, so I'm confident the cartridge can still headspace on the case mouth.

That's how it receives my worries. It seems effective. I'm not advocating its use or claiming it's the right solution. I said I was wondering why it was only mentioned once and I'm curious as to why.
Click to expand...
Thanks. No, in those specific terms I don’t think it’s obvious. But there are dozens of others threads about the FCD to discuss it.

Anyway, I’m the one who mentioned it but only for identification purposes since it’s operation isn’t germane to the topic. Why others haven’t mentioned I can’t say other than “thanks” because it’s mention typically sends a discussion off the rails:)

Thanks again
 
higgite said:
SAAMI spec is actually .380-.007". So, you're good down to .373". You're welcome. ;)
Click to expand...
Thanks

For ready reference, I keep the SAAMI drawings for 9mm & 45acp above my workbench. I note neither shows a “range” for case mouth dimensions while most other dimensions clearly do have ranges. Wonder why that is? (Rhetorical question)

Thanks again
IMG_4205.jpeg
 
Last batch of 9mm I had three trays of 50. Two had been crimped the previous night. The third was loaded that night and I then mixed them together (trays not cartridges). I thought I could measure and see which ones were crimped. Pulling a couple from each tray they were all 0.377”-0.378”. So, reluctantly, I crimped them all again. They had been belled and loaded with Gallant C & C bullets. Did it make a difference? Not that I could measure, but my intent was to crimp, so I did. I use the minimum setting per the instructions from the Lee FCD.
 
CQB45ACP said:
I note neither shows a “range” for case mouth dimensions while most other dimensions clearly do have ranges.
Click to expand...

I looked at your picture and had to look at SAMMI's site as well. If you look at the top right corner it states "Unless otherwise noted body diameter -.007 (0.18)

Couldn't see it in your pic, but that would explain the range.

chris
 
ballman6711 said:
I looked at your picture and had to look at SAMMI's site as well. If you look at the top right corner it states "Unless otherwise noted body diameter -.007 (0.18)

Couldn't see it in your pic, but that would explain the range.

chris
Click to expand...
Darn it Batman! It’s there for sure but screwdriver obscures partly. No excuses, I missed it. It’s on 45 drawing too.

Thanks
 
desmobob said:
I thought that was obvious...

While a taper crimp die doesn't actually "crimp," a Lee FCD does, using a collet. Or is it more correctly a swage, not a crimp? Anyway, the fact that I can see where portions of the neck are actually pressed into the bullet's cannelure, if it has one, greatly relieves my worries. And it doesn't do it around the entire circumference, so I'm confident the cartridge can still headspace on the case mouth.

That's how it relieves my worries. It seems effective. I'm not advocating its use or claiming it's the right solution. I said I was wondering why it was only mentioned once and I'm curious as to why.

To put things in perspective, I've been reloading rifle, pistol and shotgun ammo for over thirty years without incident. I'm not saying I'm an expert by any means; just saying I'm not new at it. But I'm always looking to learn and improve.
Click to expand...
The Lee FCD gor 9MM does not use a collet, it Taper “crimps” just like any other 9 MM taper crimp die, and also has the carbide insert that “irons out” the round. The insert would also take care of any flare left over after seating.
 
For the record, I never crimp 380 acp rounds whether round nose, hollow point or screw-tip. My 9mm get maybe a thousandth crimp.

luck,

murf
 
"Crimping" is moving case material into or tightly around the bullet, usually reducing the case mouth diameter. "Deflaring" just reducing/removing the flare put in the case mouth to facilitate bullet seating. No swaging case mouth into the bullet, no reduction in case mouth diameter. I normally deflare just enough to get good plunking on all my different cases/headstamps, without moving case material into or tightly around the bullet...
 
DMW1116 said:
I’m actually kinda astonished this is still going.
Click to expand...
I reread some crimping scripture this morning from Lee’s second edition. (New John Lee translation.) If you take everything he says from the several different locations he says it, it’s inconsistent gibberish (Is that redundant?).

So, my point is, I’m not surprised this is still going if a major mfr can’t or won’t nail it down.
 
CQB45ACP said:
I reread some crimping scripture this morning from Lee’s second edition. (New John Lee translation.) If you take everything he says from the several different locations he says it, it’s inconsistent gibberish (Is that redundant?).

So, my point is, I’m not surprised this is still going if a major mfr can’t or won’t nail it down.
Click to expand...

A man with a watch always knows the time. A man with two watches is never sure.
 
CQB45ACP said:
I reread some crimping scripture this morning from Lee’s second edition. (New John Lee translation.) If you take everything he says from the several different locations he says it, it’s inconsistent gibberish (Is that redundant?).

So, my point is, I’m not surprised this is still going if a major mfr can’t or won’t nail it down.
Click to expand...
It’s one of the flame-thrower topics of reloading. Concentricity, crimping, annealing, primer cup dimensions, maximum loads as starting loads (a.k.a. Manual Discrepancies, etc.), printed manuals vs. online “data” - never minding of course most of the proponents of using online data exclusively don’t seem to know the meaning of the word, “data.” And, of course, the ever-popular, “Do you clean brass the same way I do or are you doing it all wrong?”

Buttons. Some folks got ‘em. :)
 
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