Lee Factory Crimp Dies

[JDGray]

Since the topic was locked in another thread, I thought I'd start a dedicated thread for it. I use one for 9mm, and 45ACP, I have nothing but good results using them, no loss of neck tension, way easier to adjust by seperating seating and crimping. I don't use it to resize bulges out of my 9mm cases, as it doesn't do that for me anyways, but use it for a "light touch" of a crimp, on the neck. If you are loosing neck tension, while taper crimping with it, I'd almost guess something else is causing it, but each of us load different cases, so maybe the FCD is causing it for you. I notice some cases slip right through with barely a feel to it (Rem cases), while others have some resistance. I notice it more in my 45 cases, as opposed to my 9mm. I wouldn't bother with them on a single stage, but its no problem in my turret. What are some of your gripes with the FCD? My experiences have been positive.

 

[gearheadpyro]

I actually just wrote up an article on my blog about the Lee Factory Crimp Die.

I used two seperate ladder tests run through a chrony to see if it really had any effects on reducing extreme spread, the results were pretty impressive.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

First off, there are two completely different types of Lee Factory Crimp Dies. The Lee Carbide Factory crimp die is only for straight wall pistol cartridges, and the Lee Factory Crimp Die for rifle and bottleneck pistol cartridges uses a collet to crimp the case mouth.

I have used the Lee CFCD for 45 colt and did not like it at all. The ID of the crimp ring would let the case mouth slip under it before it was fully rolled into the cannelure (it is a roll crimp, appropriate for the 45 colt). It also was so poorly finished inside that it scraped up the outside of the case mouth. I have also seen gun show reloads that had exactly the same scraped up, unfinished roll crimps. When I asked them what they used to crimp them, they proudly prolcaimed "Lee FCD!" If the carbide ring does anything, it is masking a problem that needs to be found and fixed at its source, rather than ironing over it and hiding it from you. If it does not do anything to your cartridge, then a standard taper or roll crimp only die will do just as well.

The FCD for rifle and bottleneck pistol cartridges is truly unique in that it uses a collet to crimp the case mouth firmly and uniformly. I have one for every rifle and bottleneck pistol cartridge I reload, and they are great dies!

Both types have the same worthless lock ring...

Andy

 

[cheygriz]

Those who have read very many of my posts know I'm not a big fan of LEE products!

OTOH, all of my handgun ammo is crimped with LEE FCD dies. And I've never had a problem with them.

 

[ranger335v]

The only advantage of using a Lee FCD for handgun ammo is to make sure it will chamber every time. Other than that, it doesn't make any difference what crimper we use.

 

[steve4102]

The only advantage of using a Lee FCD for handgun ammo is to make sure it will chamber every time. Other than that, it doesn't make any difference what crimper we use.

Sounds like excellent advice, if you want your ammo to run through your semi-auto pistols without issues, use the LFCD. If you don't care if they chamber every time, use any other crimp die. Thanks Ranger.

 

[Clark]

I like to drop the loaded ammo into the chamber, to make sure it fits.

If it does not fit, the carbide ring of the LFC pistol dies are less radical than a sizing die.

 

[Steve C]

IMO the Lee FC dies are great with semi auto cartridges like the 9mm and the .45 acp. In revolver cartridges with roll crimp I don't see any advantage over the roll crimp provided by the seating die.

For rifle I like the collet FC die for crimping tube fed and military magazine fed ammo.

 

[Grumulkin]

I'm not a fan of all Lee products but for crimping I think the Lee FCD is about as good as it gets. If you're shooting full house 460 S&W Magnum loads (i.e., not the usual woosey reloads) I challenge you to apply a roll crimp that will hold the bullets securely in place under recoil without crushing the case with any die other than a Lee FCD.

That said, in the majority of rifles even chambered for magnum cartridges including Garands, M1As, AR-15s (including 458 SOCOM) no crimp is really needed. I don't even crimp for my 50 AE. My crimping starts at the 375 H&H Magnum and on up if the cartridges are to be in a magazine.

 

[HOWARD J]

I used it on my 380's---it worked fine to tell me if the case was oversize.
I used it on the 7.62 X 39--I saw no advantage except to give me a cannelure in my brass case........................:banghead:

I just don't know how I was able to survive all these years without a
LFCD..............................

 

[ranger335v]

"I used it on the 7.62 X 39--I saw no advantage except to give me a cannelure in my brass case........................"

Now, THAT I don't understand; A "cannelure in my brass (bottle neck rifle) case"! At what point pray tell??

 

[HOWARD J]

Juat below the mouth of the case.
I see no reason to use something I don't need..................................
If the die I had was not adjusted just perfect- it put a cannelure inthe case as it crimped the case to the bullet----too much trouble.

 

[Walkalong]

Like this?

 

[ranger335v]

IF you mean like Walk's photo, that isn't a cannelure, it IS the crimp. The Lee collets are made to crimp the way the factories do it, that's what makes it a "Factory Crimp Die."

 

[josephbw]

It was suggested to me some time ago to use the FCD on my 9mm and especially my .40 S&W loads. I purchased the Lee FCD's and was immediately frustrated by all the brass shavings that accumulated on my press and on the case mouth of the round. I spent a lot of time cleaning my newly made ammo because I didn't want all that crap in my guns.

I then tried to find the source of the shavings. It took a while, but I eventually found the crimp sleeve inside the die had a major machining issue. When they made the crimp sleeve they cut the crimp surface too fast in the die, and it resulted in threads being formed instead of a smooth surface. I contacted Lee, explained the problem, detailed the cause, and offered a simple solution to rectify the situation. I received a polite form letter thanking me for my concerns, and promising to look in to the issue.

Fast forward 6 months and I bought a 4 die set for .44 magnum. Guess what? Exact same issues. Lee said I could send the dies back and they would replace them, but I was too impatient to wait for that, so I fixed them myself. I used my Dremel tool to smooth out the ridges using sandpaper cones, grinding stones, and polishing cones. They aren't perfect, but I reduced the brass shavings by about 95%.

I'm not real happy with Lee for the way they brushed me off, but I still use their dies, understanding that I get what I pay for, and suffer the consequences of my frugality.

 

[HOWARD J]

reanger335v
I don't want any more crimp circles on my brass---I use bullets with a cannelure
& I roll crimp into it.
You guys have fun with your LFCD----------------

BTW--I have loaded factory cases 7.62 & 223 by PMC, Wolf, American Brand by Federal--they ain't got no crimping circle around the brass.