Lee Factory Crimp Die

[Crow1108]

Took ya'lls suggestion and went out and picked up a Lee FCD (thanks btw ). I was wondering what ya'll crimp to for those of you that reload for ARs? On the 20 rounds I made yesterday, the crimp (at the case mouth) seems to be .236. The crimped area of the case is very well-defined. Too much/too little? Thanks in advance

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

The majority of the responses I have ever seen is that no crimp is needed on .223 since the case nect tension is sufficient if you have loaded correctly.

If you are putting a clearly visible crimp on the case, AND loading to the max, you may well have a problem with over pressure loads. Just my opinion, but I'm sure others will respond to this.

Grandpa

 

[jhansman]

Grandpa, I think your assertion is true of bolt gun ammo, but not .223 meant for a semi-auto rifle. I only neck size the brass that is shot in my bolt Savage .223, and then with just enough neck tension to get a good burn. However, I use the Lee FCD on my .223 semi-auto ammo, wanting to be sure that bullet does not move until it is supposed to.

Crow, I shoot 55gr. Hornady bulk FMJ , and crimp into the cannelure at about it's midway point. I haven't measured the case neck at that point, but your question may get me to start doing so. Hope this helps.

 

[Bullet]

I don’t measure crimp. I think the measurement could vary depending on the brass thickness. If you look in the top the Lee FCD for 223 has slots that come together as it crimps. I set mine to where the slots just close.

Here is a link to Lee’s instruction video -


http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1210632488.3737=/html/HelpVideos/video.html

 

[kennedy]

I give .223 a light to medium crimp, I just watch the spaces where the crimping die comes together and crimp just so they don`t quite come to gether, I can not see the crimp on cases.

 

[shootinxd]

A+++ for just a light crimp on loads for AR.I know this is a subject with ots of different opions,so let the games begin.

 

[frizzz]

Plus 1/2 turn with Lee Crimp works fine for me.

 

[SEMNshooter]

Ahhh, the old crimp or no crimp for ARs. If you go to a different internet forum dedicated to the black rifles, you will find thread upon thread on the subject. Do I crimp for mine, Yes. If I am loading FMJ w/c, I put on a slight roll crimp, nothing extreme. If the bullet has no crimp ring, I use a Lee FCD to put on a "light to medium" crimp. Works for me, no problems yet. I also don't load max, haven't found a good enough reason to yet.

 

[SSN Vet]

If you look in the top the Lee FCD for 223 has slots that come together as it crimps. I set mine to where the slots just close.

that's what I do....

I believe most would describe this as a "heavy" crimp.

 

[BeJaRa]

I had had a problem with my FCD crushing my cartridges on 223. I followed the setup instructions that came with the dies and even backed the FCD off quite a bit and still crushing the sholders on my 223 cases. I have no problems with the FCD for my 7.62x39 rounds, it works as advertised. any ideas


P.S. sorry if I am hijaking, not my intention

 

[HJ857]

I use a fairly light crimp. I make the 1/2 turn as suggested by the instructions, then back it off by 1/6 turn. I have no basis to say that this is good or bad, but I've used that crimp for thousands of rounds and it seems to be working just fine.

You'll probably note at some point that the FCD lengthens the OAL a little bit, so if you're real finicky you'll likely have to compensate for it.

 

[Byron]

I had a similiar happening with Lee dies in 223.I backed it off quite a bit and now just put a light crimp on it. Byron

 

[strat81]

I had had a problem with my FCD crushing my cartridges on 223. I followed the setup instructions that came with the dies and even backed the FCD off quite a bit and still crushing the sholders on my 223 cases. I have no problems with the FCD for my 7.62x39 rounds, it works as advertised. any ideas

I was crushing shoulders too with my 223 crimp die. I backed it off enough so that it gives a light crimp. Works fine now.