I would go with a regular crimp die in a fourth step first, if they want to crimp in a fourth vs a third step. Many bullets, such as lead revolver bullets, work just fine crimping while seating.
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Lee factory crimp die buckling cases
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jcwit
member
Ya, I can see how that would be good advice for a new guy starting out. Yes Sir.
JLDickmon
Member
then my bad..
I have a couple of Lee FCD's, but they're both for auto pistol rounds.
I never had a problem putting a crimp on a revolver round with an RCBS die.
To the OP's problem, I think the die is mis-adjusted.
One thing I always do, is run off a dummy round when I'm loading.. I might spend ten or fifteen minutes fiddling with the dies and expander balls, or seating screws, even if I'm using the same components I used the night before.
Maybe I'm a little OCD, but it's been a long time since I've crushed a case... just sayin'..
Die directions get a fellow started, but cannot be exact. One has to use some common sense when adjusting dies. The directions tell us what we want to achieve, and give us an idea how, then we have to figure out exactly how to adjust the die to give us those results the directions talk about.
Glad you agree.
jcwit
member
Actually I agree with walkalong's post #30 above yours.
Lost Sheep
Member
Think about it. It is pretty simple.
The FCD does two things.
1) It separates the crimping operation from the seating operation. That makes dies simpler to adjust. I don't think there is any argument there, but if anyone wants to create an argument out of thin air, it is possible to say that someone who cannot do both at the same time with a single die should not be reloading. But that is just picking a fight, I think.
2) It re-sizes the brass (to ensure seating the bullet did not bulge the case past the ability to chamber). Whether this is necessary or advisable is open to debate. Whether the need for it is caused by poor technique by the operator, maladjusted dies or poorly sized components it also a legitimatly debatable point.
1) Solved by learning to carefully adjust dies, or just accepting a 4th operation. Simple. Do what you like, you will get no criticism from me.
2) Solved by knocking the post-sizing ring out of the die (with a punch or something).
Whether the FCD creates a "moral hazard" by encouraging bad behaviour in reloading is not what the O.P. asked.
Now, let's get back to the original question.
Can we get some pictures of the crumpled cases?
Lost Sheep
The FCD does two things.
1) It separates the crimping operation from the seating operation. That makes dies simpler to adjust. I don't think there is any argument there, but if anyone wants to create an argument out of thin air, it is possible to say that someone who cannot do both at the same time with a single die should not be reloading. But that is just picking a fight, I think.
2) It re-sizes the brass (to ensure seating the bullet did not bulge the case past the ability to chamber). Whether this is necessary or advisable is open to debate. Whether the need for it is caused by poor technique by the operator, maladjusted dies or poorly sized components it also a legitimatly debatable point.
1) Solved by learning to carefully adjust dies, or just accepting a 4th operation. Simple. Do what you like, you will get no criticism from me.
2) Solved by knocking the post-sizing ring out of the die (with a punch or something).
Whether the FCD creates a "moral hazard" by encouraging bad behaviour in reloading is not what the O.P. asked.
Now, let's get back to the original question.
Can we get some pictures of the crumpled cases?
Lost Sheep
Why in the world Lee would say that I have no idea. As I posted earlier, it's BS, as you can buckle a case with the FCD, just like any crimp die when it is adjusted down too far. It may "iron out" the buckle a bit afterwards as the round comes out of the die, but it will still have been buckled. With the play in the o-ring, it will be a hair more forgiving, but that can only stretch so much.
The answer is simple, the OP does not have it adjusted properly, as has been pointed out. Hopefully he has figured it out by now.
Then why bother responding to mine?
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