Roll crimp vs Lee FCD

[918v]

From Lee's website regarding pistol FCD:
"A carbide sizer sizes the cartridge while it is being crimped so every round will positvely chamber freely with factory like dependability. The adjusting screw quickly and easily sets the desired amount of crimp. It is impossible to buckle the case as with a conventional bullet seating die. Trim length is not critical so this extra operation takes less time than it would if cases were trimmed and chamfered."

I wouldn't say it's impossible to buckle a case with an FCD, but in general their claims are in line with my experience. It's a pretty simple concept, no physics-violation required for it to function as advertised.

On the contrary, it is quite possible to buckle a cease inside the FCD. The only difference is the carbide ring will iron out the folded brass. I would not want to fire such a round. It's akin to doing body work with duct tape.

 

[nyc71]

I'm shooting light loads of unique 4.2gr out of S&W 642.

 

[Walkalong]

From Lee's website regarding pistol FCD:
"A carbide sizer sizes the cartridge while it is being crimped so every round will positvely chamber freely with factory like dependability. The adjusting screw quickly and easily sets the desired amount of crimp. It is impossible to buckle the case as with a conventional bullet seating die. Trim length is not critical so this extra operation takes less time than it would if cases were trimmed and chamfered."

The FCD for pistols, which is what we are discussing, can be improperly adjusted and over crimp, just like any other crimp die. That fact that it then squeezes the round back into "shape" is not good enough for me. It does have a little give with the o-ring, which helps, but it can over crimp if adjusted wrong.

The FCD for rifle cannot buckle a case because it is squeezing the brass in at 90 degrees to crimp. I assume that is the die the Lee quote is for.

On the contrary, it is quite possible to buckle a cease inside the FCD. The only difference is the carbide ring will iron out the folded brass.

Pretty much. Just because a mistake is "ironed out" does not make it OK.

 

[eldon519]

I understand how they work; and I'm not just re-psting what is on their website because I love marketing. I don't know why, but for whatever reason, I have been able to put some ridiculous crimps on revolver rounds with my FCD by accident to the point that I wouldn't shoot them, and in doing so, I didn't buckle the cases, nor buckle and iron them back out. This is a stark contrast to my previous experience for the Redding roll crimp die I had been using which wouldn't reliably approach anything I would call a heavy crimp without heavy scrutiny towards case length. As I stated, I'm sure it is possible to buckle a case in an FCD, but my experience with them has primarily been as advertised.

 

[joneb]

Not you jibjab, the new guy..

oops,

 

[918v]

I understand how they work; and I'm not just re-psting what is on their website because I love marketing. I don't know why, but for whatever reason, I have been able to put some ridiculous crimps on revolver rounds with my FCD by accident to the point that I wouldn't shoot them, and in doing so, I didn't buckle the cases, nor buckle and iron them back out. This is a stark contrast to my previous experience for the Redding roll crimp die I had been using which wouldn't reliably approach anything I would call a heavy crimp without heavy scrutiny towards case length. As I stated, I'm sure it is possible to buckle a case in an FCD, but my experience with them has primarily been as advertised.

There is no difference between a Lee FCD and a Redding in terms of roll crimping. They both roll crimp the same way and are both sensitive to case length. To say otherwise indicates a basic lack of understanding of the crimping process.

 

[eldon519]

To say otherwise indicates a basic lack of understanding of the crimping process.

That's a pretty presumptuous statement. It's amazing how you were able to rule out all the variables from the comfort of your keyboard. Sorry, but rhetoric doesn't make it so.

 

[918v]

It does. As far as crimping is concerned, there is no mechanical difference between these two dies. None whatsoever.