LEE FCD die question?
- Thread starter p5200
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LaneP
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I will use a FCD on some of the heavy recoiling handgun cartridges such as the .454 Casull. I see people on the web crimping enough to create a flat band out of the case mouth. I have never had to use that much crimp if the case neck tension is adequate. With any such load development I'll do a bullet creep check, buy shooting 5 and inspecting the 6th round. I've found if neck tension is good, I have zero bullet creep. This might be more critical to check with lighter weight handguns shooting high recoil inducing loads.
I tried a Lee FCD out of curiosity for my 44 Magnum handloads. It now resides in a landfill somewhere in So. Oregon. Not a Lee hater, but I had no use for post crimping sizing my handloads and after I knocked out the carbide ring, the resulting crimp was just so-so. If you want a better crimp try a Redding Profile Crimp or a Lee Collet crimp. I have been reloading 44 Magnums since '87 and tried a stock roll crimp (good), a Lee FCD for handguns (bad), a Profile Crimp (tied for 1st) and the Lee Collet Crimp (tied for 1st). For jacketed bullets a plain old roll crimp is pretty good, and applied correctly will hold the bullet in place even with heavy recoiling loads..._
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Grumulkin
Member
I'm using the lee fcd on my 44 mag loads of Hornady 240 gn. XTP over h110 powder. I've noticed after crimping, the COL seems to wind up a few thousandths shorter than before crimping am I using too much crimp causing this problem? Thanks!
I wouldn't be concerned with a few thousandths shorter and woudn't call it a problem. That said, you only need enough crimp to keep the bullets from moving under recoil.
I have always used a roll crimp on 44 Magnum loads with no problems. For full power 460 S&W Magnum loads a roll crimp isn't enough and for that I use a Lee Factory Crimp Die.
Toprudder
Member
If Lee makes a collet crimper for the magnum caliber I am loading, I buy it.
I've heard a lot about the Redding Profile Crimp die I may get one to try!
I just started using one. I bought it mostly because I want to use my FCD with its carbide ring to resize the body of the case without crimping. To use it for that and also crimping required regularly readjusting the crimp adjustment knob (for example 2 turns out to resize, 2 turns back in to crimp). Of course, I would do these things in different operations, so every few hundred cases. I bought the Redding Micro-Adjustable Profile Crimp Die, because not only do I not have to regularly readjust the FCD, but I can quantify crimp amount and repeat settings for different bullets consistently. Before, I had Sharpie marks on the FCD, but the Micro-Adjustable knob is nicer.
Some powders ignite better and more consistently with the additional pressure a firmer crimp makes. So while the primary function of a crimp is to stop bullet set-back in a magazine and crimp-jumping in cylinder, it can also be adjusted for improvements with some powders.
Obturation
Member
I like the FCD, i crimp the heck out of heavy recoiling cartridges. If brass life suffers i have yet to see it. I dont go nuts on 357s but 454 casull & 45-70 get a serious crimp, then i know for sure nothings getting set back in a tubular magazine or getting yanked forward under heavy recoil. A few thousandths wont hurt anything. fwiw i have only been loading a few years so im no expert but i do have all my fingers still and never had a single home made cartridge fail to fire or give me any trouble.
Riomouse911
Member
I use one for a lot of my loads, I’ve never had an issue with the rounds so crimped.
Stay safe.
Stay safe.
Here is a thread about roll crimp and the Lee FCD. Some good pictures in the discussion that may help you see what a good crimp looks like.I'm using the lee fcd on my 44 mag loads of Hornady 240 gn. XTP over h110 powder. I've noticed after crimping, the COL seems to wind up a few thousandths shorter than before crimping am I using too much crimp causing this problem? Thanks!
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/how-much-crimp-lee-fcd-guidance-sought.469815/
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p5200
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My last rounds with 240 gr. hornady xtp over 23 gr. of h110 seemed to leave some unburned powder in the cylinders of my ruger SRH with 7.5" barrel. Is it normal to have a little unburned powder or, does that indicate a problem with my load or crimp? I've primed some cases with CCI #350 magnum primers for my next trial run. Thanks folks!
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I know there are those who don't like the Lee FCD but I have never had a problem with it on my revolver ammo. They never seem to post-size and kill the accuracy for me. If they did they would be gone right quick!
irishlad
Contributing Member
RealGun
Member
I don't use the Lee FCD as a primary die on lead bullets that are a thousandth or more larger in diameter than for which the die was intended. I have a complete set of RCBS Cowboy dies for handgun cartridges that I use on lead bullets for best results. Those do all operations a grunt larger than standard dies. Hornady's set has only a larger expander which is incompatible with the standard sizer, giving stuck cases. But the Lee crimp is superb and usually superior on standard size cartridges. If I have a round that doesn't gauge, I run it on a single stage with the Lee FCD set to just size. Walla! Of course, if there are too many culls requiring this, I know I have a die adjustment issue. I think the truth is that purchased bullets are not as uniform as we would like. I have less trouble if I resize bullets first to make them uniform. For example, I might have a box of 45 Colt bullets marked and purchased as .452, 255 grain, which are actually .453 and 265 grain. I also have case lengths sorted in practical ranges that crimp uniformly [enough] at given expand, seat, and crimp settings. I have one gun, that I am keeping, which doesn't accept full length brass like others chambered for the same cartridge. I have a couple duplicate dies to capture the two sets of settings.
Blue68f100
Member
I started hand loading long before there was any www, so if you had a problem you had to figure out what was wrong and fix it. As of today, I still do not own a FCD, never have seen a needed for them. I see here on the forum that 90% of the users are using them to correct a problem of a improper die setting. Which is a bad thing since the operator still is making the error on setting up the dies. Now there are some instance where I can see they are useful, as a option. Not a fix.
RealGun
Member
I reserve mine for plated because I can't seem to get a good roll on lead bullet crimp grooves. RCBS Cowboy works well for me, but I like Hornady's crimp die. On jacketed at slightly smaller diameter I like Lee the best with its beautiful and precise roll. The Redding does a nice job on 45ACP with its taper crimp.
RealGun
Member
That same admonition is rolled out every time FCD is mentioned. I am glad I have one and think dissing the die should be reserved for those who have tried one. One can be a competent reloader and still find this die (intact) useful.
irishlad
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