Lee FCD with oversized cast, yes or no?

[stang68]

I'm confused about whether or not I should use the FCD with my .358 lead bullets for .357 magnum and .38 special. I had been using it all along until I read on this or some other forum that with oversized lead bullets you should use the seating die to crimp so that you don't resize the bullet down. I started doing that but I really don't see any difference in accuracy (and I'm not that good a shooter) and it's a pain when I'm switching back and forth between loading lead and loading jacketed. I'm thinking of just going back to using the FCD for everything. What say you guys & gals?

 

[pinkymingeo]

I think you've answered your own question. I use FCD's for 98% of my loading. They work. I also have never seen an accuracy difference, and it sure is nice to know that all your ammo is going to chamber.

 

[stang68]

Thanks, I thought that right after I posted it but decided to leave it.

 

[Amici]

The FCD is NOT going to make your .358 lead bullets .357; nor your .452 lead bullets .451.

Remember; it resizes the CASE; not the bullet. What it WILL do is take any bulges from oversized bullets out of the case and greatly reduce your FTF's.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Where do the magic bulges go then?

I seem to have a differing opinion on whether the bullet gets resized or not.

It would seem to me that any pressure exerted on the outside of the case would transfer to the inside of the case and then onto the bullet.

It doesn't directly act on the bullet but it certainly does inadvertently.

That being said, I'm with pinky on this one. Never had a problem with accuracy or anything from using the LFCD.

If you have a size issue though and want .359" or .453" bullets to correct a problem with your specific firearm, I wouldn't use a LFCD.

Common sense tells you it will make the bullet some smaller.

Otherwise, you are smart to use one, IMO.

 

[stang68]

Thanks to all, I'm going back to using the Lee FCD for everything that I'm currently loading.

 

[n4zov]

It seems you were satisfied with the accuracy you were getting before reading the advice on the forum, so why bother to change anything?

 

[acl864]

I switched away from a FCD with .358 cast bullets because I was having some leading issues. I think it was slightly resizing the DEWC I was loading. Not on every round- I think it had to do with the thickness of the case walls- the thicker walled cases were the problem. I probably could have done some experimenting and case sorting and cleared the problem up. It was easier to switch to a Hornady seating/crimping die. That cleared up my problem.
I still like the FCD and use it for jacketed bullets. At some point in time I may buy another and knock the resizing ring out of the bottom to use for my lead bullet loads. I like the easy and precise crimp adjustment it offers.

 

[Catshooter]

I use the FCDs when ever I can. I was curious also, so instead of guessing or thinking, I measured.

.45 ACP bullet was sized to .454 in the lubrisizer, then loaded. Pulled the bullet before running the round through the FCD, no change in diameter. Pulled another after it's trip throuhg the FCD, no change.

.357 mag bullet was sized to .360 in the lubrisizer, then loaded. Pulled the bullet before running the round through the FCD, no change. Pulled another after it's trip through the FCD, bullet was now .359, all the way around.

So the answer is (like most techincal questions) it depends. The way to find out is to measure.


Cat

 

[BruceM]

"The FCD is NOT going to make your .358 lead bullets .357; nor your .452 lead bullets .451."

If the bullet is not smaller in diameter, is the brass thinner? I mean, something has to give in order for the diameter to get smaller.



Bruce

 

[stang68]

I use the FCDs when ever I can. I was curious also, so instead of guessing or thinking, I measured.



So the answer is (like most techincal questions) it depends. The way to find out is to measure.


Cat

Thanks Cat and to everyone else that provided info. The answer to the question was so simple to determine, as you said, "measure". I did that and the bullet measured .358 prior to running through the Lee FCD and after running through the die and pulling the bullet, it was still .358. I guess that at 68 yrs. old I still haven't learned to think for myself, maybe I'll get there one day!