lee factory crimp dies, will they help FTF

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

rugernut

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2011
Messages
13
Location
north central WV
I have used RCBS for years , my new SR1911 seems a little finiky with hand loads , if I got a Lee FCD , could I still run the ammo I have loaded thru that to see if that helps the FTF issues, or should I be looking in a different direction.
 
I've had good luck with mine. I use it in 9mm, and 45ACP, and barely crimp with it, but like the post sizing feature. You can run any ammo through the FCD to check it.

What bullet and oal are you loading? I'd look at oal myself, but some guns are just picky. Hows factory ammo run?
 
Yes you can. I did.

Before I started reloading, I had a good supply of ammo from a commercial reloader.
One of my pistols with a tight chamber didn't quite like it. I ran them all through the FCD and had zero feed problems.

On the other hand, WALKALONG +1
OK for what you've got already loaded, but fix the problem for future loads.

I do like the FCD for my 9mm
 
"Quote: or should I be looking in a different direction.

Yes, you should."

Ditto.
 
Walkalong said:
or should I be looking in a different direction.
Click to expand...
Yes, you should.
Click to expand...
+1.

I had some feeding issue concerns before I bought my Sig 1911R TACPAC (some posted feeding issues with Sig 1911 and SWC) due to tight chamber and very short leade (rifling starts almost at the chamber end). My typical 200 gr SWC loaded to 1.26" OAL with .472" taper crimp would feed/chamber in most other 45 pistols and 1911s, but would not pass the barrel drop test and feed/chamber from the magazine fully.

When I decreased the OAL to 1.245", it dropped in freely. When I decreased the taper crimp to .471"-.472", it fed/chambered reliably from the magazine.

No FCD using .452" diameter Missouri bullets (Bullseye #1 and IDP #1).

attachment.php
 
Last edited:
We all (reloaders) have reloaded 45 ACP successfully for many years before the FCD. Now this is an option and I have purchased them for many calibers. Do they help?? For me I can make ammo that works reliably either way. If you are are in a hurry and want it to function without bothering to use the drop test the FCD may help you. If you take the time to set up the dies for your pistol the FCD is not necessary. With anything that requires a roll crimp or with bottle necked cartridges the FCD shines. I have abandoned the FCD with my taper crimped cartridges as the extra step is not needed for reliable function in my pistols. I do use the FCD for sizing my pistol brass (380, 9MM, 45ACP) using the Lee bullet sizing punches and setting it up like the 40S&W bulge buster kit that they make. YMMV
 
I use the FCD on all my pistol calibers I simply like the process of seating and crimping in different operations for me it turns out a more consistent ammo. What style/type bullet giving you problems in your 1911.?
 
Awesome internal pics bds.

Lee sells a "taper" or "roll" crimp only dies for about $10 for anyone who wants to crimp in a separate step after seating. So does Redding, and they are very nice, but double the Lee price.
 
The Lee FCD is a magical little tool.:D I have one for every caliber I load and wouldn't have it any other way.
 
One downside to the FCD is if you are using lead bullets. It can resize the case down to the point that the bullets are undersized enough to create gas cutting and leading.
 
thanks for the input guys , I will do some checking and see what shakes out. I think these may have been loads from the first batch or two of 45's I ever loaded several years ago and may not have had the crimp right. I am in the process of relocating/remodeling my reloding area, built a new bench from the plans, I see some of you have used , on the net and most of my stuff is not put away so I won't be able to check for a few days . ordered the FCD , I will let you know how it turns out.
 
The Lee FCD for pistols is a great crimping die. I use one for most all my pistol reloading.

That said, the carbide sizing ring in the die shouldn't even touch the case if the rest of the reloading operations are set up correctly. It is just there to iron out mistakes.
 
I believe you should examine your reloading die set up ans r your bullet selection. Any factory set of dies properly set up will produce ammunition to factory specs. The Lee FCD is not required.
 
FTF, failure to fire? Failure to feed? Two entirely different things with different causes and cures. Use of abbreviations is fine as long as it can't be misunderstood.
 
Lee's FCD simply hides problems that come from the dies in front of it. Solve the real problem and pitch the FCD. You an crimp in a second step with a number of other dies that won't hide "mistakes" from you. It's like slapping paint over a rust spot, is it really a solution?

Pull your barrel (or a case gage) and work down the crimp (try 0.003" to 0.005" under max mouth diameter) and if that doesn't fix it then try slowly working down the OAL until it drops into your barrel. If neither of those work, check the case head size to see if it is a brass issue instead.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top