JCSC
Member
I may have an extra rcbs 3 die set laying around. Let me check later today.
Lee 3 or 4 die set for .380 ACP?
- Thread starter TTv2
- Start date
The FCD for .380 works just fine for crimping (removing bell) as a separate step. Be aware that if you get resistance in use, you should investigate the cause. .380 brass is so thin, you should not feel resistance if using a correctly sized bullet.
Highland Lofts
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2019
- Messages
- 3,037
I like your statement about lee.
That's a crock and not even worth your 2 cents.
The LFCD is one of the most debated topics along with cleaning brass and some just parrot the same old internet BS over and over
Somewhere on this forum is a poll of people using the FCD, there is also several articles out there in the web by known writers who praise the FCD for semi auto reloading,
No, the 9mm is tapered the 380 is not. I supposed someone will say that they do use it.
Yup the Lee FCD is definitely a controversial topic just like asking which oil/lube to use. So use it if you want to or don't use it. There really is no right or wrong answer here as long as you are using the FCD correctly.
That being said, I use Lee 4 die sets for all of my pistol reloading without any issues. I have found that a light crimp actually helps prevent unburned powder in my reloads since I use Hodgdon Universal for just about all my pistol calibers. Other's experiences will be different.
That being said, I use Lee 4 die sets for all of my pistol reloading without any issues. I have found that a light crimp actually helps prevent unburned powder in my reloads since I use Hodgdon Universal for just about all my pistol calibers. Other's experiences will be different.
Soonerpesek
Member
When it comes to FCD dies you will see responses where reloaders are willing to burn a town down, regardless if you are for it or against FCD dies. You will never get a response where all agree. I like to use an analogy of chocolate ice cream vs vanilla ice cream. Some prefer chocolate and other vanilla. With this in mind when I buy a lee die I buy the 4 die set simply because one never knows. I love chocolate over vanilla but if I feel like a root beer float, chocolate won't cut it, it needs vanilla ice cream. Sometimes the lot of bullets purchased may be different and I have found that the fcd die will align my bullet a little better and make it straighter. My recommendation would be to buy the 4 die set and live it up to you where you want or need to use the FCD die.
irishlad
Contributing Member
Well said!!
kmw1954
Member
So I started this hobby back in 1980 when there were no internet forums or groups to fall back on. All there were, were books, magazines and other friendly hobbyists. Loading on multi position turret or progressive presses was rare. My first press was a Bonanza "68" and dies were RCBS 38/357 3 die pistol set. There was no 4th die. That is the way I learned and that is still the way I do it today.
Today I load 380acp, 9mm, 38Spl and 45acp. All with just 3 dies. I now also load 223 and 243 both with just 2 dies and shoot both sub MOA at 100 yards.
Today I load 380acp, 9mm, 38Spl and 45acp. All with just 3 dies. I now also load 223 and 243 both with just 2 dies and shoot both sub MOA at 100 yards.
irishlad
Contributing Member
I started very similar to you, started around 1976 with a RCBS press and 3 die 38 SPL . Took a long break from reloading pistol rounds. When I started reloading pistol rounds again I bought a LCT and LEE 4 die sets. Works well for me. Like you said in a thread about turrets a week or so back, state what ways works for you and let the OP decide. No need to put down others methods or equipment down.
.380 cases are all over the place in thickness if you have a lot of different headstamps, which contributed to my early issues.
This right here.
I use the factory crimp die. No, it is not absolutely necessary. I have tested, my pistols, at the time, fes the ammunition that did not use it, but they look a little better with it. . . they look a bit more like factory rounds. It is in the four-die auto turret, it isn't that much more effort to use it.
kmw1954
Member
I can attest to this as when I first started loading 380 on my turret press with the Lee Auto Drum measure I was getting many collapsed cases, so tried it without a measure and then with an Auto Disk and it did not happen. All I could surmise was it was the pressure of the activation spring inside the measure was causing the cases to crush. Now since the measure is broken-in and not quite as still it doesn't happen any longer.
GooseGestapo
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2003
- Messages
- 6,154
REMEMBER THIS!
There are TWO different Lee FACTORY CRIMP DIEs…!
1. One is the FCD with a CARBIDE SIZING RING! If used with a STRAIGHT WALL case, (ie: .357Mag, .38spl, .44mag. Ect) it can and WILL SIZE DOWN the bullet, possibly rendering it UNDERSIZED! This can wreck accuracy. The purpose of this die is to ensure that a cartridge will feed and chamber. Generally it’s not needed with jacketed bullets. Lead bullets typically being sized 0.001-0.003” oversized can be sized down excessively ruining accuracy.
2. Rifle FCD’s use a collet that is squeezed upon compression against the internal taper of the die body. These give a substantial crimp without bulging the case body at the neck junction. Very useful for crimping loads for lever action or semiautomatics.
The 9mm Para is a different animal however. It uses a tapered carbide ring but won’t size down the bullet. It will remove the neck bulge from a slightly out of line seated bullet. I do use one of these…
There are TWO different Lee FACTORY CRIMP DIEs…!
1. One is the FCD with a CARBIDE SIZING RING! If used with a STRAIGHT WALL case, (ie: .357Mag, .38spl, .44mag. Ect) it can and WILL SIZE DOWN the bullet, possibly rendering it UNDERSIZED! This can wreck accuracy. The purpose of this die is to ensure that a cartridge will feed and chamber. Generally it’s not needed with jacketed bullets. Lead bullets typically being sized 0.001-0.003” oversized can be sized down excessively ruining accuracy.
2. Rifle FCD’s use a collet that is squeezed upon compression against the internal taper of the die body. These give a substantial crimp without bulging the case body at the neck junction. Very useful for crimping loads for lever action or semiautomatics.
The 9mm Para is a different animal however. It uses a tapered carbide ring but won’t size down the bullet. It will remove the neck bulge from a slightly out of line seated bullet. I do use one of these…
Dudedog
Contributing Member
I would say get the 4 die set, that way you have the FCD and can choose to use it or not.
.45Coltguy
Member
Holy smokes; did this thread get a little heated or what? Try this; if you don't like the Lee FCD, don't buy/use it. If you do use and like it, everything is just wonderful.
I do indeed use a Lee FCD on all my handgun loads. No issues with me as I adjust it correctly as to not "swag" the cast bullet down. Never an issue and accuracy is fine in my loads and revolvers.
I do indeed use a Lee FCD on all my handgun loads. No issues with me as I adjust it correctly as to not "swag" the cast bullet down. Never an issue and accuracy is fine in my loads and revolvers.
That part is not adjustable, only the crimp is adjustable, the carbide ring is what it is.
I like the way the crimp is done, with an adjustable insert instead built in to the die body.
It has some give to it because it is a separate piece held by an o-ring.
.45Coltguy
Member
Ok, but, I have not swaged/undersized any handloaded bullets using the Lee FCD. Maybe me and a lot of other users got lucky?
Most people don't check that, they shoot, it works well enough to suit them, they call it good.
I've had two FCDs, a .40 and a .45 ACP. The .40 worked as it should, no issues, the .45 sized down loaded rounds, which shouldn't be happening. The intent of the FCD is to squeeze down rounds that are too fat by SAMMI standards. I am sure most of them do this. I am also sure some are too tight. Either way, I'd rather find and fix the issue than squeeze the round down. YMMV. Plenty of FCD fans out there. I do understand using them as a safeguard for pistol games ammo, and have posted as much numerous times.
I've had two FCDs, a .40 and a .45 ACP. The .40 worked as it should, no issues, the .45 sized down loaded rounds, which shouldn't be happening. The intent of the FCD is to squeeze down rounds that are too fat by SAMMI standards. I am sure most of them do this. I am also sure some are too tight. Either way, I'd rather find and fix the issue than squeeze the round down. YMMV. Plenty of FCD fans out there. I do understand using them as a safeguard for pistol games ammo, and have posted as much numerous times.
I have a Lee 380 ACP 3 die set and used my 9mm FCD to finish off a load just to try it out. It obviously needed to be adjusted nearly to the end of the adjustment but it seemed to work OK.
refuse2bafool
Member
Yeah.
I use one simply because I like to taper crimp seperately and it comes with the set. I have used a standard taper crimp as well. They both worked fine. I do like how you can adjust the FCD with just your fingers.
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FROGO207
Member
My experience as follows:
I presently reload for 4 dufferent 380's. When I started reloading this caliber in the early 90's it came to my attention that it was a difficult caliber to make good ammo for. They said it was due to the neck thickness being all over the charts for various brands of brass. When questioning some of the local bullseye shooters one of the older more respected guys, "Bart" offered to sell me his die setup and a couple boxes of plated hollow point bullets/brass as he had recently sold his last 380. He stated his custom set of Lyman carbide dies were slightly undersized and he had two expander inserts made, one for jacketed and one for lead. I took him up on his offer as it was an awesome deal to begin with, I actually only paid what the two boxes of Rainier plated bullets cost him. The other brass and custom die set he tossed in.
In all the years I have reloaded for the 380 since I have not had one problem, even when using mixed range brass with an unknown number of reloading cycles on them.
PS
I do own many Lee die sets and also several FCD's. I use them when needed but mostly don't bother as I am working on a SS and Turret presses and being lazy don't bother installing them LOL.
I presently reload for 4 dufferent 380's. When I started reloading this caliber in the early 90's it came to my attention that it was a difficult caliber to make good ammo for. They said it was due to the neck thickness being all over the charts for various brands of brass. When questioning some of the local bullseye shooters one of the older more respected guys, "Bart" offered to sell me his die setup and a couple boxes of plated hollow point bullets/brass as he had recently sold his last 380. He stated his custom set of Lyman carbide dies were slightly undersized and he had two expander inserts made, one for jacketed and one for lead. I took him up on his offer as it was an awesome deal to begin with, I actually only paid what the two boxes of Rainier plated bullets cost him. The other brass and custom die set he tossed in.
In all the years I have reloaded for the 380 since I have not had one problem, even when using mixed range brass with an unknown number of reloading cycles on them.
PS
I do own many Lee die sets and also several FCD's. I use them when needed but mostly don't bother as I am working on a SS and Turret presses and being lazy don't bother installing them LOL.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,128
Well, yes and no. IF you have or choose to acquire an expansion reamer you can grind an undersized carbide ring to any OD you like. Carbide cuts horribly but grinds nicely.
That’s just an option.
