I was having FTFeed with my 9mm and (45acp in 25-2) hard to chamber. I finally bought Lee taper crimp die (12.98) and ran all my finished loads through them and have never had another problem with either. I do use range brass and I think that was part of my problem in the first place but now anything feeds.
Lee Factory resizer/crimp die
- Thread starter mnhntr
- Start date
Use them for every revolver calibre (including 0.455 Webley where the 0.45 works with a little bit of adjustment). Also in 0.45 ACP and all 9 mm where Lee sell the FCD. Worth every penny, particularly in my two Browning BDMs which have very tight chambers. Dave_n
greenmachine
Member
Could your brass be the problem? I have sometimes thought that .223 cases fired from some guns have bases that are not quite perpendicular with the centerline of the case if that's possible. I pick up lots of range brass and have noticed this same thing on occasion.
All my RCBS pistol die sets now have Lee crimp dies. There are no more bulged cases.
The Lee crimp dies are the only Lee die products I use. The regular taper crimp dies are not as consistent for crimp and don't do anything for bulged cases after seating the bullet. For 38 Spl military brass and 148 grain wad cutters, the bulge can get real aggravating.
The Lee crimp dies are the only Lee die products I use. The regular taper crimp dies are not as consistent for crimp and don't do anything for bulged cases after seating the bullet. For 38 Spl military brass and 148 grain wad cutters, the bulge can get real aggravating.
How many crimp dies?
OK, as long as we're on the subject of Lee crimp dies... exactly how many styles of crimp dies does Lee make?
Ignoring the combo seat/crimp die, I have two different designs of Lee crimp dies. One, for the .44 Special, has an insert from the top that is adjustable with a top knob to vary the crimp. In other words, there is no crimping ring like a standard die body, but the crimp occurs from vertical motion of the insert, and the insert puts both an inward and a downward force on the case. I assume the insert can be machined to provide either a roll or taper crimp. I don't see that this design would be very much of an improvement for the thin-necked WCF cartridges.
I have another crimp die for .38-40 in which the crimp is applied in an inward motion (only) by four collet fingers whose inward motion is governed by the cylindrical body at the die bottom (the base of the collet fingers) and its contact with the shell holder. This works well with thin brass necks.
The .38-40 die is called a Factory Crimp Die on its packaging. The other die was the crimp die in a 4-die deluxe set. Does this die have a separate name, or is it also a "Factory Crimp Die"?
FWIW, the .44 Special straight case crimp die has a carbide sizer in its base. The .38-40 tapered case Factory Crimp Die does not (nor should it).
Buck
OK, as long as we're on the subject of Lee crimp dies... exactly how many styles of crimp dies does Lee make?
Ignoring the combo seat/crimp die, I have two different designs of Lee crimp dies. One, for the .44 Special, has an insert from the top that is adjustable with a top knob to vary the crimp. In other words, there is no crimping ring like a standard die body, but the crimp occurs from vertical motion of the insert, and the insert puts both an inward and a downward force on the case. I assume the insert can be machined to provide either a roll or taper crimp. I don't see that this design would be very much of an improvement for the thin-necked WCF cartridges.
I have another crimp die for .38-40 in which the crimp is applied in an inward motion (only) by four collet fingers whose inward motion is governed by the cylindrical body at the die bottom (the base of the collet fingers) and its contact with the shell holder. This works well with thin brass necks.
The .38-40 die is called a Factory Crimp Die on its packaging. The other die was the crimp die in a 4-die deluxe set. Does this die have a separate name, or is it also a "Factory Crimp Die"?
FWIW, the .44 Special straight case crimp die has a carbide sizer in its base. The .38-40 tapered case Factory Crimp Die does not (nor should it).
Buck
bamacisa
Member
I reloaded for about twenty five years before trying the LFC die. Once I tried lt, I was sold, now I use it on all reloads.
I actually got rid of all of my RCBS dies and went with the Lee Deluxe four die sets with the factory crimp die. I could NEVER get that RCBS die to seat and crimp right. What a pain in the behind trying to get it adusted. If anyone new is reading this and you're thinking about starting to reload just start out with the Lee Deluxe four die sets for loading pistol. It saves a whole lot of hassle.
Groo01
Member
Groo here
Haggis, the 38-40 is a "rifle case" not a pistol case.
The fc die for necked down cases is the "finger " type.
Haggis, the 38-40 is a "rifle case" not a pistol case.
The fc die for necked down cases is the "finger " type.
BigRich315
Member
+1, new guy here and that's exactly what I'm looking at.
Smitty500Mag
Member
Even if you don't use a Lee Press for reloading you can still use the help videos on Lee's web site such as the ones for adjusting dies on a single stage press.
Lee Precision, Inc. Reloading Tools and Equipment: Setup and Operation Help Videos
Smitty
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oldRoger
US Veteran
Over the years my dies have become mixed sets, I bought various carbide sizing dies to replace steel when that change came around. Subsequently I have bought a RCBS competition seating die or two.
Then I had to get powder through dies for my LnL progressive.
The biggest improvement after carbide sizing is converting to four die set-ups. Trying to seat and crimp in one die is an unsatisfactory process IMO. It can and has been done successfully but why when there is a better way.
IMO you can crimp with anyone’s crimp die, but Lees die is the best and not expensive. It also provides that overall dia. check which can save much trouble with bottom feeders.
Then I had to get powder through dies for my LnL progressive.
The biggest improvement after carbide sizing is converting to four die set-ups. Trying to seat and crimp in one die is an unsatisfactory process IMO. It can and has been done successfully but why when there is a better way.
IMO you can crimp with anyone’s crimp die, but Lees die is the best and not expensive. It also provides that overall dia. check which can save much trouble with bottom feeders.
oldRoger
US Veteran
small ring around the base of the bullet
Actually it is to be expected. First you sized the case: that reduced its diameter. Then you opened the case mouth so that you could get the bullet started. Had you not done the second step you wouldn’t have been able to fit the bullet into the case. When you seated the bullet your die jammed it down into the tight case. Now when you look, the ring you see is where the bullet stopped expanding the case.. Look at some commercial ammunition you can usually see the ring.
What the Lee die does is taper the top of the case and pass the case through a carbide ring small enough to make sure it will fit in your chamber.
Actually it is to be expected. First you sized the case: that reduced its diameter. Then you opened the case mouth so that you could get the bullet started. Had you not done the second step you wouldn’t have been able to fit the bullet into the case. When you seated the bullet your die jammed it down into the tight case. Now when you look, the ring you see is where the bullet stopped expanding the case.. Look at some commercial ammunition you can usually see the ring.
What the Lee die does is taper the top of the case and pass the case through a carbide ring small enough to make sure it will fit in your chamber.
well t came in today so i will try it out Monday when i load some more. right now i have my machinist making an adapter for my powder measure. to work with my lee powder through die so i can use the powder measure with it.
IcarryS&W
Member
+++ on Lee FCDs
Really can't say more than has already been said, but the Lee FCDs make 9mm and 45ACP run smooth thru all of my guns.
They really help correct the little off-center buldges that I sometimes get from standard RCBS seating dies.
Really can't say more than has already been said, but the Lee FCDs make 9mm and 45ACP run smooth thru all of my guns.
They really help correct the little off-center buldges that I sometimes get from standard RCBS seating dies.
Retired in 2001
Member
Lee Factory Die
I have taken the suggestion about LFC it has made a believer out of me especially the 45 ACP ,now I bought one for my friends 44 mag.This forum is great place to learn
I have taken the suggestion about LFC it has made a believer out of me especially the 45 ACP ,now I bought one for my friends 44 mag.This forum is great place to learn
