FCD with lead?

[FNP45]

I've read on the site that the FCD is a no go with lead due to the post sizing. Am I good with just a Lee taper crimp die? 45 acp

 

[Steve Koski]

Of course. The FCD is for fixing problems you probably don't/shouldn't have anyway.

 

[rcmodel]

People had been reloading perfectly fine handgun cartridges for about 150 years before Mr. Lee invented the FCD.

It is an Ingenious Solution to a Non-Exsistent Problem if you adjust your seating & crimping die correectly.

rc

 

[918v]

It depends on several factors: The case wall thickness, the bullet diameter, and the diameter of the FCD sizer ring.

If you are working with a thick case and a .452" bullet, it will prolly get resized to .451". Mine would do that so I ditched it. The FCD is more of a pain with revolver ammunition, say a 44 Mag that has a .429" bore but .433" cylinder throats. Use a .433" bullet to properly seal the cylinder and the FCD will resize it to .430". Again, I am speaking from experience.

The FCD will resize .358" bullets to .357" too depending on how lucky you are.

The good news is Lee will open-up the sizer to your liking if you send the die back. I, on the other hand, preferer a die that does not resize the case, i.e. a standard crimp die.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

I don't use anything but the crimp from the seating die.

 

[Cherokee]

You only need a regular taper crimp die, forget the Lee FCD.

 

[FNP45]

I think I'll just set the FCD on the shelf. Ordered a taper die for like $10, I feel beter seating and then crimping. Thanks for the input.

 

[Brian10]

If I recall, the Lee FCD for handgun cartridges is a taper crimp? The Lee FCD for rifle cartridges is a true FCD.

 

[LiveLife]

For semi-auto calibers, I consider FCD as a taper crimp die that resizes.

If you have Lee 3 or 4 die set, you don't need to buy a separate taper crimp die as it does bullet seating and taper crimp in one step. If ordered the taper crimp die, you will end up with two of same die.

 

[ranger335v]

"...before Mr. Lee invented the FCD. It is an Ingenious Solution to a Non-Exsistent Problem if you adjust your seating & crimping die correectly"

I rarely disagree with RC but this is one of those times.

Actually, if lead bullets are sized to normal diameter and seated in normal brass the post sizing ring won't squeeze the cases and no change will occur. However, if lead bullets (or anyothers) are overly large the post sizing ring will make sure the loaded rounds will chamber without sticking/jamming in the chamber; that's not a bad thing.

For reasons that are murky to me, it seems a LOT of cast bullet users have the idea that lead bullets 'should' be a few thou larger than the bore; that's NOT true! Not only do over-sized bullets have the potential to cause chambering problems it also degrades accuracy. Lead bullets should NOT be more than a thou larger than the bore but being true bore size is better yet.

 

[Walkalong]

I think I'll just set the FCD on the shelf. Ordered a taper die for like $10

Excellent decision.

For reasons that are murky to me, it seems a LOT of cast bullet users have the idea that lead bullets 'should' be a few thou larger than the bore; that's NOT true!

Yep, .001 over groove diameter is all they need to be. For the .45 ACP, that would be .452, assuming a .451 barrel.

 

[ljnowell]

For reasons that are murky to me, it seems a LOT of cast bullet users have the idea that lead bullets 'should' be a few thou larger than the bore; that's NOT true! Not only do over-sized bullets have the potential to cause chambering problems it also degrades accuracy. Lead bullets should NOT be more than a thou larger than the bore but being true bore size is better yet.

I couldnt possbily disagree with you more. There is nothing wrong with a lead bullet a few thousanths above bore size. As long as they chamber OK they are not going to be too big. I would rather be .003 bigger than bore than be the exact size of the bore anyday of the week. I have yet to see accuracy affected by this.

ETA: I am not saying they have to be, or that its the proper size, but .002 over is not going to affect accuracy and in most cases not chambering either.

 

[jcwit]

I think I'll just set the FCD on the shelf.

Yup, thats what I did, however I did put a tag on it so the kids will know what it is in the future.

 

[RustyFN]

Actually, if lead bullets are sized to normal diameter and seated in normal brass the post sizing ring won't squeeze the cases and no change will occur.

That's my experience also. I size all of my bullets to .452 and have never had any get sized in the FCD.

 

[ranger335v]

"I couldnt possbily disagree with you more. There is nothing wrong with a lead bullet a few thousanths above bore size."

I don't question your experience but it isn't mine. Nor does your experience match that of the Lyman/Ideal Company or the NRA's cast bullet expert's research; they all suggest bullets be no larger that 1 thou over bore diameter for best accuracy.

 

[ljnowell]

I don't question your experience but it isn't mine. Nor does your experience match that of the Lyman/Ideal Company or the NRA's cast bullet expert's research; they all suggest bullets be no larger that 1 thou over bore diameter for best accuracy.

Thats typically what I shoot too. However, I have on more than a few occassions shot .454" lead from a revolver with .4525" throats and .451" bore. The accuracy was great. Thats my experience with it, though others may very well vary.

 

[LiveLife]

So, I've been thinking ... (I know, it's a dangerous thing )

What did reloaders do before Lee sold the Factory Crimp Die?

Did they chamber checked their inadequately sized/taper crimped rounds and say, "Dang, I guess I can't shoot my reloads ... well as give up reloading and shoot only factory ammo!"

Of course not, they worked with their dies until they had rounds that chamber checked well and shot well. When I help setup new reloaders, I have them adjust their 3 dies (No FCD) until their finished rounds fit the tight chambers of Lone Wolf barrels and function check from the magazine (this takes some work for a new reloader, mind you ), they ask me, "So, what should I do with the FCD?"

I smile and tell them, "Whatever you like, but you won't need it to help shoot your reloads in your pistol."

To be honest, I could maybe see using FCD for jacketed bullets but not for plated/lead bullets with .001" larger diameter than jacketed diameter.

Some say match shooters like to use it to ensure proper feeding. I wonder if Todd Jarrett relies on a FCD to ensure that his reloads will chamber in his match pistols with tight chambers. I don't think so.