Lee factory crimp die buckling cases

[bigtubby]

Loading .357mag and using the lee factory crimp die about 1/3 of the cases are getting a wrinkle on one side. I have backed the die out but doesn't help much in the Lee instructions says you can crimp as hard as you like with out buckling the case. Any idea's ?

 

[jcwit]

Don't use it, and use a crimp from the seating/crimping die. Do a quick search regarding the FCD, and most claim , as I do, it solves problems than do not exist.

 

[Blue68f100]

^^^^^ what he said.

Use the std roll crimp that came with the bullet seatter.

Now if your using lead, loose the LFCD completely.

 

[Muddydogs]

Nothing wrong with a Lee FCD. I would say your set up on the die is off. The FCD does solve a problem it crimps the case mouth in a separate step. It might also size the case but if the other dies are set right there shouldn't be a need for the die to size. The FCD lets the seater die seat the bullet and be adjusted for different bullets without throwing in the hassle of resetting the crimp. Guys that state the FCD solves a problem that doesn't exist are probably the same ones that use a go no go gauge to make sure there rounds will feed, well guess what a FCD is a go gauge because anything ran through it will feed.

 

[Walkalong]

Probably set up wrong. The old "FCD cannot buckle cases" bit is incorrect. Any crimp die set up wrong can do so.

Untrimmed cases and a die set up poorly are the main causes of buckled revolver cases. .357 Mag cases can vary quite a bit in length. Trim the cases, set up the crimp die of your choice properly, and you will get beautiful repeatable crimps.

No reason in the world to use the FCD for revolver rounds. If one cannot load a revolver round that fits the chambers, they do not need to be reloading.

 

[gamestalker]

Bam! Walkalong nailed this one.

If only some of the cases are buckling it's deffinitely a combination of some cases being longer than others, and a crimp die that needs further adjusting.

 

[bigtubby]

I slowed down on the FCD press stroke at the bottom and that seemed to resolve the problem. I set the die up according to Lee's printed instructions, however I have not trimmed the cases it is a mix of new and used brass.

 

[Walkalong]

Slowed down the stroke? Did you stop short? You need to adjust the die either way.

 

[bigtubby]

No did not stop short, Okay how would I go about adjusting the die? i have backed it out and readjusted the crimp. If I go slow at the bottom seems okay.

 

[icanthitabarn]

I was having a devil of a time, just yesterday. I was getting wrinkles. When this happens, I usually screw in, to seat deeper. This did not completely fix the problem, like usual. I was using Berrys 125 which is not what I use. I unscrewed the crimp, all the way and got out the LFC and all was well.

 

[P-32]

You know a light roll crimp works for me on wheel gun brass. I know a guy who crimped his 357 brass down to 38 size and still didn't know what the problem was.

 

[Muddydogs]

You know a light roll crimp works for me on wheel gun brass. I know a guy who crimped his 357 brass down to 38 size and still didn't know what the problem was.

? What do you mean? 357 and 38 are the same diameter bullet.

 

[Blue68f100]

Remember Berry's are sized like lead, over size and soft. So using the FCD may swedge the bullet, which results in a bad bullet to bore fit.

 

[jcwit]

? What do you mean? 357 and 38 are the same diameter bullet.

They "357 Mag & 38 Spec." both use the same diameter bullet. In the case of a jacketed bullet, .357.

 

[JLDickmon]

I have to agree with what's been said on two points..
One, the FCD is worthless for the .357 rounds because it puts a taper crimp on a case that requires a roll crimp.

Two, if you're buckling revolver cases, you do NOT have the dies set properly, or you are not prepping your cases correctly.

In your case, you answered your own question, as you are using mixed headstamp brass, probably different lengths with uneven case mouths.

Trim your cases, and set your dies accordingly.

 

[chhodge69]

I've had this problem also. I was over-crimping and buckling the case with that last little *oomf* at the end of the stroke to bottom out the ram. Back off a bit and take a good look at this thread. (I thought that one was a sticky? it should be.)

 

[EddieNFL]

I disagree the FCD solves a problem. IMO it treats the symptom of the problem. Nothing wrong with 'em when used to crimp within spec ammo, but an ordinary taper crimp die works just as well.

 

[Muddydogs]

I have to agree with what's been said on two points..
One, the FCD is worthless for the .357 rounds because it puts a taper crimp on a case that requires a roll crimp.

Two, if you're buckling revolver cases, you do NOT have the dies set properly, or you are not prepping your cases correctly.

In your case, you answered your own question, as you are using mixed headstamp brass, probably different lengths with uneven case mouths.

Trim your cases, and set your dies accordingly.

The Lee FCD for revolvers puts a Roll crimp on the case not a taper so not sure what you are talking about.

I don't trim my 38 brass and get a good roll crimp with uneven case mouths of cource the lengths are close.

 

[medalguy]

Nor do I. I use the Lee FCD to take that last little bit of belling out of the brass, and haven't experienced any problems at all. Of course my brass is corect and dies are set up correctly. IMO, the FCD doesn't fix problems, nor should it, but it does provide a nice crimp when properly used.

 

[Sport45]

The FCD is a good separate crimping die that applies a roll crimp to .38/.357 rounds. If the carbide ring is post-sizing the cartridge it probably wouldn't have fit in the chamber anyway.

 

[P-32]

What do you mean? 357 and 38 are the same diameter bullet.

True no argument but a 38 is shorter at .0590 inches compaired to 1.290 inches for 357.

So he crimped his 357 to 38 Spl size. Meaning the case got shorter. I wish I had a pic of it. Sorry for the confusion, I knew what I meant.

 

[Walkalong]

If the carbide ring is post-sizing the cartridge it probably wouldn't have fit in the chamber anyway.

Which means they need to fix their technique. I don't think any new reloader should use the FCD for pistols at first. They should learn how to make ammo that works without the FCD to squish it to fit for them.

 

[unknwn]

perfect solution to the problem that don't exist "that don't exist"

I came across these and prefer them over standard FCD ,and for that matter, any crimping die in the calibers tha they are made for....

http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_54&products_id=95

"....Lee Special Order rifle type open top collet Factory Crimp Die for the 357 Mag. These dies are not available through any other Lee retailer...."

 

[Faret]

Maybe the crimp button is upside down in the die?

 

[GW Staar]

Which means they need to fix their technique. I don't think any new reloader should use the FCD for pistols at first. They should learn how to make ammo that works without the FCD to squish it to fit for them.

You are probably right. A new reloader tends to blindly follow directions (the best he can with his limited understanding and experience) on the die's instruction sheet without an understanding of what it is he's doing. Depending on Lee's instructions to guide you to perfect pistol loads is a little simplistic. In some cases, following the instructions to a tee will over crimp and possibly even decrease tension.

It WOULD be a great idea to use the seater-crimper to learn on.....use the FCD when you learn the value of a separate crimp die.

On revolver loads, long cases like the .357 magnum can vary enough in length to cause the problems describes by the O.P. and others. As others have advised, trim long cases and those kinds of problems go away.

Would have to agree with the go-gauge statement. If you feel the FCD resizing (and you can feel it) stop and find out why. You are probably over-crimping or using the wrong sized bullets, or your sizer is set wrong.