Lee Factory Crimp die on non Cannelured bullets?

[NuJudge]

I have a rather large amount of new Canadian IVI .308 brass. I am attempting to use it in a .308 M1. I ran the brass through a RCBS Small Base Full Length sizing die. The rifle keeps ramming about 1 in 10 bullets back into the case. I tried getting a Lee Collet Die to work the case neck a bit more, then got an undersize mandrel for the Collet Die, and it is still happening.

The problem has not happened with the rifle when using once-fired LC brass processed through the same RCBS Small Base die.

Sierra does not like people using Crimp dies on cartridges loaded with their un-cannelured bullets. Has anybody used a Lee Factory Crimp Die on Sierra or Nosler 168gr bullets? What did it do to your accuracy?

 

[gamestalker]

I'll bet you 10 to 1 it's the brass. If your LC brass is doing just fine, then you've already eliminated the culprit. Maybe do some googling to find out why it's can't be loaded, if that's is indeed the case. That brass probably has some design element that requires a different seating process, like some of the brass out there we can't load steal, aluminum and other's.

 

[Shmackey]

Gotta be the brass. No need for FCD here.

 

[Grumulkin]

1. What bullet are using? I could imagine that happening with Barnes bullets.

2. You can use the Lee FCD on noncannelured bullets and, in my experience, it doesn't hurt accuracy.

 

[243winxb]

Lee Factory Crimp Die -Rifle

Measure your expander button, should be .003" under bullet diameter for an auto. Or dont use the expander at all, see what happens. What is the diameter of the mandrel?? Using the collet, brass spring back will be outward, not in like when using a expander in a standard die. Lee Factory Crimp Die when over done. >

 

[suzukisam]

I put a pretty heavy crimp with my fcd, and in my 243 I don't see any accuracy issues. I can consistently shoot and inch at 200 with a heavy fcd crimp on sierra bullets.. I'm not trying to say that some guns, may react differently.. but I would try crimping. then try heavy crimping, and light crimping, you may see no difference, on the other hand you may know right away what your gun likes.


The previous advice was correct check the expander ball. turn it down a little if needed. or run without it.. if you chamfer your cases well you shouldn't see any ill effects from running without it

 

[steve4102]

I agree with the others, I think you have issues with your brass and crimping is not the answer to your poor neck tension.

That said, I use the Lee Factory Crimp die for all of my auto-loaders with both cannelured and non-cannelured bullets, yup even Sierra. I have done my share of accuracy testing with and without the LFCD and I have found it to improve accuracy in most instances. In some instances it does little or nothing as far as accuracy goes, but I have never had it degrade accuracy.

Here is a little test that shows the effects of crimping with the LFCD, enjoy.
http://www.accuratereloading.com/crimping.html