lee 3 die vs 4 die set

[1KPerDay]

All this talk of popping out the fcd Carbide ring makes me wonder how you guys do it.

I only did it on my .357 die. Removed the top adjuster and guts, installed in press, used a punch the right size to drive the sizing ring out from top to bottom. it was snug but came out no trouble.

 

[303load]

I like the FCD for jacketed bullets, but not for lead. The FCD tends to swag the cast oversize lead bullet down to "correct" dimensions and hurts accuracy.

And I'm with 1kperday, I can't recommend the turret press classic enough over a single stage for pistol. In fact, go ahead and add the auto disk and safety primer gizmo. I am a penny pinching cheap broke fool, but you will be so much happier not jacking around with loading blocks and those itty bitty 9 cases. I also think it's safer to make 1 complete round at a time than to be moving cases all over the place. I'd even leave the auto index rod in place. that keeps you from getting distracted, pulling the handle 2x and double charging. So to sum up, turret is faster, safer, and not much more expensive. (if time is money you will pay off the additional cost of a turret in about 200-300 rounds)

if ya adjust that FCD so it brings the case mouth back in and don't get too radical on the amount of crimp I have no swaging a lead or plated bullet issue. The advice on presses is excellent BTW. My words exactly. Best wishes.

 

[GT1]

I prefer to seat and crimp separately, I like the FCD and unless you've fouled something up it is basically a taper crimp die.

From a semi-auto fmj perspective.

 

[Walkalong]

The crimp adjustment on the FCD for pistols has nothing to do with how much the carbide insert squeezes the round. It is simply a "crimp" adjustment. The ring is a set diameter.

 

[Potatohead]

As to trying to explain the use for the fourth die I would suggest getting
Modern Reloading second edition by Richard Lee and read all of it and especially the chapter on dies and what they do. I found that to be the best and easiest to understand

^^this..

I do think one should learn how to crimp with the seating die. Kind of like "knowing your instrument" for a musician, regardless if you end up using the FCD or not.

 

[germ]

All this talk of popping out the fcd Carbide ring makes me wonder how you guys do it. I tried on my 40 cal set and essentially ruined the fcd die. I even tried to use a blow torch. The ring would not come out.
That being said, I shoot only lead cast bullets that are oversized by .001" so that means that the fcd is swaging down the bullet when it resizes, so I don't use it. The rifle fcd uses a collet that doesn't resize (some of the handgun fcd dies are also available in the collet variety via special order).

With some of the FCD's you have to grind a little bit off the bottom edge of the die body. I don't recall which calibers require this, but I had one that was especially tough and subsequently read someone else's advice, tried it and it worked. I suspect it was 9mm. Once done, try using various brass cases to knock out the ring from the top. Some are an absolutely perfect fit. This also allows you to center the drift rather than use a severe angle and risk damaging the internal body threads. (Don't ask me how I know this).

One thing nice about knocking the ring out as opposed to buying another crimp die, is the thimble crimp adjustment. As someone pointed out above, the thimble o-ring provides a smidgeon more latitude in case length. It's just a minor convenience since it's easier than readjusting the die body. That said, I generally don't buy carbide crimp dies on principle. Those I have came with 4 die sets when I couldn't get a 3 die set, or those I got when first starting out and didn't know any better. I load pretty much only my own well oversized cast and find this die to be worse than useless with the ring intact.

Also as someone else pointed out, the rifle fcd (collet type) and the carbide fcd are completely different tools. I use and like the collet dies.

 

[Airpirate]

To the OP, I was a noob one year ago, and I wondered if I should buy a single stage press or a turret. Some old school guys suggest learning on a single stage, but some recommended the Lee Classic Turret. Wasn't sure what to do. I bought the LCT and the accessories (powder measure, primer feed), and I am REALLY glad I did. 1K and Greyling gave you some good advice when they posted their suggestions. I have never used the fourth 9mm Luger die, and I am now shooting IDPA and have never had a problem. Let us know what you end up buying.