Lee 3 or 4 die set for .380 ACP?

[TTv2]

I have the die sets for the calibers I shoot most often, but not for every caliber I own. One of the couple I don't have die sets for is .380 and while I don't shoot the .380 much one day of loading would last me a whole year and instead of having to rely on retailers having ammo in stock so long as I have bullets I need not worry if I'm reloading.

So, I think it's as good a time as any to grab a set of .380 dies.

The only 3 die set that I've ever bought was for .45 ACP and that was because I had every intention of using the .45 ACP in a revolver and figured if I ever needed or wanted the Lee FCD I could get it later. No such thoughts of ever using .380 in a revolver, don't see the point of that caliber in a revolver. Seeing the price of just the factory crimp die, it looks like I'd save a few bucks going with the 4 die set, but if it's not necessary then I won't bother.

Thanks for the input folks.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I reload over thirty cartridges using 17 die sets.
.380 is one of them.
Most of my die sets are from Lee and were bought used in batch lots of reloading tools and supplies.
Duplicate sets are easy to sell.
I'd check Ebay and similar sites.

 

[dh1633pm]

I like the three die sets. Not sure the point of a fcd for 380.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I would separate the seating and crimping, but I would not use a FCD for crimping. I don't use the Lee FCD except in one very particular application, which isn't part of this discussion.

Lee makes a taper crimp die for 380, and that is what I use.

 

[irishlad]

I use the Lee 4 die set on all my pistol rounds(380, 38 SPL, 9mm, 45 Colt and 45 ACP). Work well.

 

[Gillie Dog]

I like to seat and crimp in separate steps so I use the 4 die sets for all pistol calibers. Seat with seating/crimping die, backed out and taper crimp with FCD die for auto calibers or roll crimp if revolver caliber FCD die.

GD

 

[rfwobbly]

• If you have a multi-station progressive press, then proabably 95% of reloaders prefer the 4-die sets because crimping in a separate die position is a much better way to go. It will improve your reloading process AND the quality of your reloads. This because getting the Crimp Die set correctly can take as long as the other 3 dies combined, and once set you really don't want to disturb its position.

• If you have a single-stage press, then you'll want the 3-die set to reduce die changes.

• The FCD is a story unto itself. If not properly adjusted, the FCD can create as many problems as it solves. A lot of accomplished reloaders believe the FCD is totally unnecessary and simply a band aide for poor die adjustments on the other 3 dies.
Let me state it this way: Only Lee offers the FCD. Lee caters to novice reloaders who may not fully understand the function of the individual dies... and therefore don't understand how to achieve proper die adjustment. So maybe the FCD is a product specifically aimed at novice reloaders. Given the choice between education and selling a product, my personal opinion is that Lee opted for the sale.

This is all just my 2 cents.

 

[irishlad]

A lot of accomplished reloaders believe the FCD is totally unnecessary and simply a band aide for poor die adjustments on the other 3 dies.

And a lot of accomplished reloaders like them.

Lee caters to novice reloaders who may not fully understand the function of the individual dies... and therefore don't understand how to achieve proper die adjustment.

That's just silly and insulting. If you don't like FCDs or Lee equipment don't buy it . But there is no need to belittle those of us who do. It.s called the "The High Road" for a reason. The ignore option is a good thing.

 

[rfwobbly]

I didn't belittle anyone and all my comments (unlike yours) are preceded with a disclaimer of "in my opinion".

So what you are saying is that because I don't think like you, I have no right to an opinion ??

 

[Mark_Mark]

can you use 9mm FCD on .380… asking for a friend

 

[Soonerpesek]

I didn't belittle anyone and all my comments (unlike yours) are preceded with a disclaimer of "in my opinion".

I read your post multiple times, and didn’t take that you “belittled” anyone….

So what you are saying is that because I don't think like you, I have no right to an opinion ??

Sometimes you gotta be in the right circle ‘round here…..!!!

 

[Walkalong]

I'm not a FCD for auto pistol cases fan, so I would get the $12 Lee taper crimp die to supplement the standard set.

That said, the cure for all of my .380 ACP loading issues was a set of RCBS .380 dies.

 

[NMexJim]

I'm not a FCD for auto pistol cases fan, so I would get the $12 Lee taper crimp die to supplement the standard set.

That said, the cure for all of my .380 ACP loading issues was a set of RCBS .380 dies.

Curse is an understatement. The .380 set had a 9mm expander. I finally called in frustration and they sent the right expander.

 

[buba68]

I have the Lee 4 die set for .380 and have loaded close to 1000 rounds with them. I have a relative who shoots them in a Bersa Thunder and they have all chambered, fired and ejected properly. Would recommend the Lee 4 die sets for .380.

I also have the Lee 4 die set for 9mm and 45acp and never had any problems getting the crimp die set correctly and never have any issues with the cartridges chambering ok

 

[Otto]

Seeing the price of just the factory crimp die, it looks like I'd save a few bucks going with the 4 die set, but if it's not necessary then I won't bother.

Thanks for the input folks.

No, the FCD is absolutely not necessary. Buy the 3 die set.
Alternatively, you can size the 380 with a 223 sizer and use 9mm dies for the rest.
The benefit to this is that the 223 sizer removes more of the bulge. You might have to lightly lube the case but you’re not loading enough for that to matter.

 

[cfullgraf]

Particularly for semi-auto pistol cartridges, I taper crimp in a separate step from bullet seating. I’ve used a Lee 380 ACP taper crimp die with my reloading since the mid-1980’s. It is s good die.

Basically, Lee loading dies are good and make good ammunition but I have some idiosyncrasies that I prefer dies from other manufacturers. But Lee dies are good.

The Lee handgun FCD almost has no use in my opinion. I have. 38 Special Lee FCD that I use to iron out 38 Special wadcutter ammunition that will not chamber for some reason. In a run of 500 or so reloads, I get 2 or 3 that need the FCD.

The chambering problems are mostly due to using mixed head stamped cases. Lots of variability amongst minor brands of 38 Special cases.

Otherwise, I feel the Lee Handgun FCD is a solution looking for a problem.

 

[Walkalong]

An old FCD post of mine.

The FCD will squeeze it down and make it fit, and the new reloader pats themselves on the back and calls it good, whereas if they hadn't used it they would eventually run into a problem with a tight (Within spec but tight) chamber and learn to fix the issues by adjustment of dies/user improvement of starting bullets straighter. (Even sliding sleeve seaters do a better job of seating bullets straight if they start out straighter. I have proven that to myself. They cannot totally fix a sloppy start of the bullet.)

A lot of pistol gamers use them so everything will absolutely fit and not cause a stoppage during a competition, as the penalties are so severe for a stoppage. Some use a case gauge and check all rounds, some do both. Things happen, fat bullets, got one a little crooked being in a hurry loading 500 or 1K rounds for matches, and the FCD will make sure you don't have a stoppage due to a fat reload.

I look at the FCD as an "advanced" reloaders tool, not a beginners tool.

I'll say again, if you are feeling a fair amount of resistance of your reloads in the carbide ring of the FCD on a lot/all of your rounds, stop and investigate, because something is amiss, even if it is simply an undersized FCD. You should be feeling very light to almost no resistance in the carbide ring.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm not a FCD for auto pistol cases fan, so I would get the $12 Lee taper crimp die to supplement the standard set.

That said, the cure for all of my .380 ACP loading issues was a set of RCBS .380 dies.

I'm going to have to agree. I'm also not a big fan of the Lee FCD though some like it a lot. That's why they make so many different dies.
I use to be a fan of the FCD until it sometimes post sized not only the case but the bullet to.

On the other hand, their rifle FCD is a collet die and very good if you want to crimp rifle ammo like for th 30-30 levergun and the like.

 

[LiveLife]

I like the three die sets. Not sure the point of a fcd for 380.

Ammunition manufacturers use "finishing die" to ensure finished round's dimensions are within SAAMI specs to chamber in any barrel made to SAAMI min/max dimensions.

Bullets could be out-of-round, tilt during seating, fired case not fully resized, case mouth flare not returned flat and inconsistent case wall thickness can all tolerance stack to produce oblong case neck and/or still flared case mouth/too fat finished rounds that may not fully chamber freely in tighter chamber barrels.

"Finishing dies" ensure out-of-spec finished rounds are Quality Control checked and corrected to freely chamber and prevent slide lock up/not going into full battery.

Some reloaders use Lee Factory Crimp Die to separately apply taper crimp and knock out the carbide ring to not post size when using larger sized lead/coated bullets. Lee also offers custom sized carbide ring service for FCD - https://leeprecision.com/custom-services-custom-factory-crimp-dies

When I was taught to reload by a seasoned Bullseye match shooter on Dillon 550 and Lee Pro 1000, FCD was not used to produce match grade rounds and during the past 30 years, I have reloaded over 750,000 rounds without using the FCD even for my tighter match barrel chambers as I chamber checked my finished match rounds in tightest chamber barrels.

Does FCD have a place for reloading?

Yes, as a "finishing die" that can crimp as well.

Can you reload without the FCD?

Yes, I have for 30 years using Lee 3 dies seating and taper crimping in the same step (BTW, FCD for roll crimping is different) along with Dillon/Hornady/RCBS dies.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I my 380 set is a 3 die. I only use a lee fcd on my 9mm for my walther and 92 pistols. They have tight chambers.

 

[mdi]

I bought a Lee 380 auto die set, but it came as a 4 die set. I opened the box, took the FCD out and put it in a drawer and ordered an RCBS taper crimp die. I don't crimp my semi-auto handloads I just deflare with a deflaring die (aka taper crimp die). I have never had reason to post crimp resize any handload...

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I have the die sets for the calibers I shoot most often, but not for every caliber I own. One of the couple I don't have die sets for is .380 and while I don't shoot the .380 much one day of loading would last me a whole year and instead of having to rely on retailers having ammo in stock so long as I have bullets I need not worry if I'm reloading.

So, I think it's as good a time as any to grab a set of .380 dies.

The only 3 die set that I've ever bought was for .45 ACP and that was because I had every intention of using the .45 ACP in a revolver and figured if I ever needed or wanted the Lee FCD I could get it later. No such thoughts of ever using .380 in a revolver, don't see the point of that caliber in a revolver. Seeing the price of just the factory crimp die, it looks like I'd save a few bucks going with the 4 die set, but if it's not necessary then I won't bother.

Thanks for the input folks.

The FCD is definitely not necessary. It’s nice to have if you know how to use it - sparingly, and only to taper crimp brass whose length varies quite a lot - but it’s not necessary.
I got the 3-die set, was given an FCD for .380 (several other caliber as well) but I don’t use it much. That’s me, though.

 

[TTv2]

Sounds like the FCD is best used with roll crimped revolver calibers and the taper crimp for rimless semi auto calibers doesn't need the FCD.

3 die it is.

 

[BW460]

Search for Lee FCD and you will find many never ending threads. The FCD has its good points and it's bad points. However, the Lee dies are relatively inexpensive so just buy the 4 die set and then you have options. But, similar to what has been said before, the solution to the issues I had with 380 were solved by buying a set of Hornady dies. You know, I once told my girlfriend that I reload to save money. She's pretty smart and called me out. She said "you don't save any money, you just shoot more!".

 

[Zendude]

If you have issues with consistent neck tension with mixed 380 brass, I found the Lee undersize sizing die to be useful. Most 380 brass is ok, but some I just couldn’t get to hold a bullet. Instead of sorting brass, I wanted to see if the underside die would work on them, and it did.