How much crimp? Lee FCD guidance sought.

Thanks for the input. The one on the left is CBC (Magtech) brass, center is Remington and right is Winchester. CBC tends to be the longest brass and Winchester is the shortest, so I have to find a medium between the two (or just suck it up and buy a trimmer).

 

Walkalong, your bullet photos are works of art!

 

I agree. That .32 Magnum is definitely a work of art.

The pros throw out a lot of pics, too.

Thanks for taking the time to post them. I've learned a lot. A picture truly is worth a thousand words.

 

This is absolutely true. I've watched that process more times than I can count. It's why digital photography is such a blessing to amateurs - puts us on the same footing (nearly) as the pros, because most of us could never afford the film expense a pro write off as the price of getting that perfect shot.

This is a great thread. I just read the whole thing again, including the new posts from the last six months, which is about how long it's been since I read it last. It's brilliant to be able to actually see and compare to what I'm doing with my loads, too.

And I'm going to forward the link to a couple of people who are just starting out, so they can get better visuals of what things are supposed to look like.

I have a question about the .243. I just started loading for it, and I am wondering if I should crimp, or just rely on neck tension. Any thoughts?

 

Great thread!

I just loaded my first rounds last night. 30 rounds of .357 with, what looks like I've seen here, a heavy roll crimp.

 

How Much crimp?

The crimp on example "C" looks just about perfect. I use a LEE Factory Crimp Die. Just follow the instructions that come with the die and then feel your way along until you get the desired crimp. It wont take you long until you are crimping by feel and getting it just right.

 

The LEE FCD is the way to go.

 

It is a good method to start with. You can also start by getting some 55gr or 62 gr .223 bullets with cannelures and set the depth until you are just slightly deeper on the cannelure than dead center then crimp 'em right there. It's very important to get a good crimp on any semi auto like the AR to prevent bullet "set back" in the magazine due to recoil. Set back can drive the bullets in the magazine deep enough into the case to cause pressure spikes in subsequent shots, not good!

 

I bought one of those when I ordered a carbide 3 die set to start loading .30 Carbine.
Tried it on quite a few rounds, but it just seems to work the mouth of the case too much for my liking.

The taper crimp shoulder in the regular seating die seems to give a much smoother crimp to the case.

I also batch load on a single stage and seat bullets, then reset the die and apply the taper crimp.

 

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This is open for debate. I’ve never found the need for using a FCD for any of my pistol or revolver ammo. The crimps supplied by the seating die has done the job well, rolled or taper. Seperate operations.

If the FCD works for you don't assume it will be good for every one else.

The only rifle ammo I crimp is 30-30 with the roll crimp working just fine. 223, 308 and '06 is not crimped using SMK's.

 

If I'm having issues with my .45 pushing the bullets in the case when feeding does that mean there is too light of a crimp?

 

Any chance of getting a few pics of your .30-30 crimp using a lee FCD ?

 

Definitely agree!

 

Yup! That's what I'm thinkin'

 

Where does the lack of neck tension come from? Over belling the case to accept the bullet? or not having the seating die set up right? Or something else?

 

Bump. Too good of post to get lost.

 

another bump to keep it alive.

Any chance this thread can become a sticky?