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Old 12-01-2009, 11:35 PM
cjw3 cjw3 is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Georgia
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I use the Lyman taper crimp die on .40 S&W with excellent results.

It is different from the FCD: the taper crimp die reduces the entire circumference of the case, squeezing it tightly against the bullet for a good distance back from the case mouth. It is ideal for use with semiauto pistol cartridges, but I also use one in .38 Special with flush-seated wadcutters. I also find it best, as Hawkeye stated, to handle as a separate operation.

The FCD uses a collet that crimps the case mouth against the bullet in a 4-segment style, ideally into a crimping groove/cannelure. The FCD can be used on a bullet with no provision for a crimp, but can damage the bullet, case or maybe even the die itself if overdone. I have used it in this way when loading 7.62x39mm pulled bullets that had no cannelure. When the FCD is used on cast bullets, it almost invariably deforms them and usually causes leading problems.

I think you will be very pleased with the taper crimp die for your Mak.
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