Lee Factory Crimp Die

Kablam · 01-13-2013, 17:29

I'm a little confused from all my reading here on final crimping for say 45acp. I know that taper crimping is what I want...just removing the flare put on by the charging die. I've read that factory crimping is not what I want, but don't really understand that. Does the factory crimp die that comes with the Lee 4 die pistol die set perform the taper crimp or does it do something like full resizing. Also, when performing bullet seating with this set, you don't crimp at that stage, correct? I'm going to start loading for my 45s and I'm a little confused on what I need for dies for my classic turret press.

Steel Head · 01-13-2013, 17:39

It will do a taper crimp.
I use mine more for final sizing LSWC rounds with a tiny taper crimp.
It can be adjusted from no crimp to a stupid stout crimp easily but always final sizes the round

DoctaGlockta · 01-13-2013, 17:42

Never heard of it.

dkf · 01-13-2013, 17:43

Pistol rounds are taper crimped with the FCD. The FCD also has a carbide sizing ring to knock down a any high spots. The FCD really is not needed. The standard 3 pc die set has a bullet seating/crimping die in one.

Kablam · 01-13-2013, 18:01

It seemed that most folks were recommending crimping separately from seating, so I was looking at getting the 4 die Lee set.

Colorado4Wheel · 01-13-2013, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kablam

It seemed that most folks were recommending crimping separately from seating, so I was looking at getting the 4 die Lee set.

You can sell the FCD. Also Lees regular taper crimp die is not expensive.

Kablam · 01-13-2013, 18:32

I was going to get the kit from Kempf and that comes with the 4 die set and give the press to my son. I though that was the best deal to add another press. Are you recommending replacing the factory crimp die with a taper die? If that's better, I'm fine with that.

Colorado4Wheel · 01-13-2013, 19:19

Yes. or sell the FCD.

Kablam · 01-13-2013, 19:29

Tanks for the advice. I've never loaded pistol ammo, and I feel like I'm starting over. Never crimped my rifle rounds.

Gpruitt54 · 01-13-2013, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kablam

Tanks for the advice. I've never loaded pistol ammo, and I feel like I'm starting over. Never crimped my rifle rounds.

I may have missed it, but what type of bullets are you reloading FMJ, copper Plated, lead, etc? Just asking.

What I have learned, here on this forum, the amount of crimp would be different for the bullet types; in that lead and jacketed bullets don't need much, whereas FMJ bullets need more. At least, that's the way I think it goes.

Kablam · 01-13-2013, 19:46

Probably 230g FMJ RN to start with. I know that shoots well in my guns. All I've shot is 230g HP and FMJ factory stuff. Figured I'd start with what I know works.

Colorado4Wheel · 01-13-2013, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gpruitt54

I may have missed it, but what type of bullets are you reloading FMJ, copper Plated, lead, etc? Just asking.

What I have learned, here on this forum, the amount of crimp would be different for the bullet types; in that lead and jacketed bullets don't need much, whereas FMJ bullets need more. At least, that's the way I think it goes.

You don't crimp pistol rounds. You simply remove the flare. You do not bend the case into the bullet at all in pistol rounds.

SARDG · 01-13-2013, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gpruitt54

...What I have learned, here on this forum, the amount of crimp would be different for the bullet types; in that lead and jacketed bullets don't need much, whereas FMJ bullets need more. At least, that's the way I think it goes.

FMJ is Full Metal Jacket.

countrygun · 01-13-2013, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado4Wheel

You don't crimp pistol rounds. You simply remove the flare. You do not bend the case into the bullet at all in pistol rounds.

However you do want to crimp revolver rounds, (just in case the "pistol" distinction was lost)

Kablam · 01-13-2013, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado4Wheel

You don't crimp pistol rounds. You simply remove the flare. You do not bend the case into the bullet at all in pistol rounds.

Sorry to belabor this. Just want to make sure I have this right. I know that all I want to do is remove the flare for 45acp. So, you're sayin the FCD included in the Lee 4 die set doesn't do that, and I should get a taper crimp die to remove the flare. Have I got that right? Again thanks for your time. Not sure what the other guys post was about.

Gpruitt54 · 01-13-2013, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado4Wheel

You don't crimp pistol rounds. You simply remove the flare. You do not bend the case into the bullet at all in pistol rounds.

Correct, but the manufacturers call them crimp dies. So, I am using that terminology.

Gpruitt54 · 01-13-2013, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kablam

Sorry to belabor this. Just want to make sure I have this right. I know that all I want to do is remove the flare for 45acp. So, you're sayin the FCD included in the Lee 4 die set doesn't do that, and I should get a taper crimp die to remove the flare. Have I got that right? Again thanks for your time. Not sure what the other guys post was about.

You should be good with the crimp die in the 4 die set. Set it up correctly and adjust it to suite you needs.

Gpruitt54 · 01-13-2013, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARDG

FMJ is Full Metal Jacket.

Sorry, I meant to say that plated bullets don't need as much crimp using the FCD. Where as FMJ pullets could likely need more.

Colorado4Wheel · 01-13-2013, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gpruitt54

Correct, but the manufacturers call them crimp dies. So, I am using that terminology.

You said some need more. That is not true. They all need the same. Remove the flare. Your done.

ColoCG · 01-13-2013, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kablam

Sorry to belabor this. Just want to make sure I have this right. I know that all I want to do is remove the flare for 45acp. So, you're sayin the FCD included in the Lee 4 die set doesn't do that, and I should get a taper crimp die to remove the flare. Have I got that right? Again thanks for your time. Not sure what the other guys post was about.

While the Taper crimp Die is all you need to make good reloads, the Lee FCD will work as long as it is adjusted to just remove the flare of the case. It does have a carbide ring to guarantee the overall diameter of the round will chamber. This is normally not really needed if your dies are adjusted correctly. If that is the case it shoudn't affect your loads. It can tend to swage the round if cast bullets which are usually a larger diameter are used. This may or may not affect your accuracy with the cast bullets depending on how much the bullet is reduced in size if any.

So while the FCD will work, it is not needed. But if that is what you have, I would use it, it shouldn't be a problem with FMJ bullets.

sessumrd · 01-13-2013, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel Head

It will do a taper crimp.
I use mine more for final sizing LSWC rounds with a tiny taper crimp.
It can be adjusted from no crimp to a stupid stout crimp easily but always final sizes the round

+1 on. The factory crimp die. It works flawlessly when set up correctly. I know it gets mi?ed reviews, ut I personally have experience zero problems with it. and the FCd rifle dies are.excellent!

sessumrd · 01-13-2013, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel Head

It will do a taper crimp.
I use mine more for final sizing LSWC rounds with a tiny taper crimp.
It can be adjusted from no crimp to a stupid stout crimp easily but always final sizes the round

+1 on. The factory crimp die. It works flawlessly when set up correctly. I know it gets mixed reviews, possibly when using over sized lead bullets... But I personally have experienced zero problems with it. The Lee FC rifle dies are also excellent!

F106 Fan · 01-13-2013, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColoCG

While the Taper crimp Die is all you need to make good reloads, the Lee FCD will work as long as it is adjusted to just remove the flare of the case. It does have a carbide ring to guarantee the overall diameter of the round will chamber. This is normally not really needed if your dies are adjusted correctly. If that is the case it shoudn't affect your loads. It can tend to swage the round if cast bullets which are usually a larger diameter are used. This may or may not affect your accuracy with the cast bullets depending on how much the bullet is reduced in size if any.

So while the FCD will work, it is not needed. But if that is what you have, I would use it, it shouldn't be a problem with FMJ bullets.

\

^^^^^ +1

Plus, if the bullets are lead and get swaged, the neck tension holding the bullet in the case can be destroyed.

Use the FCD for a fishing lure, use it for rock skipping across a river, use it for anything you want but do not use it for reloading PISTOL ammo.

There is a very probably a difference between a crimp die which could be adjusted to roll a crimp for revolver ammo and a true Taper Crimp Die which will not. Get the right die for the job! Everybody makes one...

Try to buy the Lee 3 die set (not the 4 die set) and buy a Taper Crimp Die separately.

The Lee FCD for rifle ammo makes a nice roll crimp for those who want one. I put a light crimp in the 55 gr Montana Gold bullets because there is a cannelure for the crimp. If the selected bullet does not have a cannelure (like the Sierra 69 gr HPBT Match), then no crimp at all.

Richard

Bello · 01-14-2013, 04:20

I don't promote the lee fcd but I use it with never a problem with fmj, lead, plated.

Wash-ar15 · 01-14-2013, 08:31

i have used one for years for 9mm and 40 SW. i use it as my final crimp die. it really shines when using mixed brass of varying thicknesses and lengths. i use the stock lee die to seat and remove the flair slightly and then it goes to the FCD. Can't recall ever having a round that would not chamber in the 10's of thousands i have made with it.