Need help with reloading

[Dmaxboy08]

Hey guys. I started a thread about a month ago wanting to gain info on reloading. Since then I have read the ABCs to reloading and got my hands on a Lymans manual. Im starting out reloading .45s. Im using the Lee 4 die carbide set and im haveing some issues setting up the dies. Mainly the factory crimp die. The directions arnt the best and how do you guys setup this die? thanks alot!

 

[sourdough44]

45 Colt or 45 acp(or another)? The FCD is rather simple. I'd start by having it give just a touch of crimp & then add just enough as you see fit. Depending on what your doing you may not need much. You basically set it lower to provide more crimp.

 

[dickttx]

Per the Lee instructions:


Screw the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die in, until it just
touches the shell holder and back out the adjusting screw.
With the loaded round in the die, turn the adjusting screw
in until you can feel it just touch the case mouth. Then
move the cartridge out of the die slightly and screw the
adjusting screw in 1/2 turn for a light crimp and one full
turn for a heavy crimp. You can adjust for even greater
crimp and never have to worry about buckling the case
as with conventional crimpers. The case is sized as it
enters the die and again as it is pulled out of the die. This
assures you every case will freely chamber in any standard
gun. Don't expect the carbide sizer to touch every
case. It is a fail safe tool for the occasional bad round that
could ruin your day.

 

[Dmaxboy08]

.45acp. Dickttx: can you please explain the last sentence to me?

 

[tappedandtagged]

The carbide sizer won't size every case as it is only intended to push the buldged cases back into spec so that it will freely go into any gun chamber. If the cases have been fired in a gun tht has a tighter chamber than yours, then it won't touch that case. But if the caee has been fired in a chamber that is looser, the sizing die will put it back into factory dimensions so that it won't get stuck or jam in your gun. Make sense?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Per the Lee instructions:
It is a fail safe tool for the occasional bad round that could ruin your day.

.45acp. Dickttx: can you please explain the last sentence to me?

The Lee FCD does a "post sizing" which is a fail safe for rounds that are out of spec. That die just makes sure everything is the right size before you call the round good...

 

[mikld]

In my opinion only; dump the Lee factory crimp die, get a plain taper crimp die, an learn to reload properly. I reload 45 ACP and when I adjust my dies correctly there is no need for a FCD, as all my ammo passes the "thunk" test. A Lee FCD solves chambering probs that are better handled elsewhere. How many millions of 45 ACP rounds were reloaded before Lee came out with their FCD?

I have nothing against Lee products (I started with and still own a lot of Lee stuff) but a new reloader should learn how to load correctly and troubleshoot his ammo rather than just covering up a mistake...

 

[ILTim]

I use the Lee 3-die set for .45acp and don't know anything about the factory crimp die.

That said, maybe my process can be helpful anyway.

I start by screwing the seating stem all the way in to the bottom, then set a case and bullet in the press, and CAREFULLY bump the bullet down into the case in little steps... check, bump, check, bump, measure, etc without pulling the lever to the full stop obviously. When the bullet is right where I want it, unscrew the seater plug fully. Then run the ram all the way up and screw the main body of the die down until it contacts the case, and add another half turn or so. Just like setting the bullet seat depth, make a bunch of small adjustments until the crimp looks and measures just right. Now run your finished round up into the die, and screw the seater plug down until it makes firm contact with your bullet. The seat/crimp die should now be fully adjusted, check the next couple rounds and tweak slightly if needed.

 

[PERAZZI]

I'd suggest a separate crimping die...

 

[Dmaxboy08]

alright thanks guys. very helpful info!

 

[NicholasDM]

I use the Lee carbide 4 die setup for 9mm loading and find that the crimp that the bullet seating die applies is more than adequate for plated or jacketed, so I don't actually use the FCD. I don't know if this would apply to 45 rounds though with the higher? pressures.

I've seen a lot of people say they don't use the FCD for most things when I was doing my initial research into loading.

 

[shovelwrench]

The Lee Factory crimp die is nothing more then a taper crimp die with a sizing ring in it. You can remove the sizing ring and have just a crimp die..... It works fine as is and has no adverse affect on accuracy (in my experience).

That being said, you CAN use the seating die to crimp. Its a pain to set up and get consistent crimp and seating unless your using brass trimmed to all the same length.

Basically the 4 die set allows you to seat and crimp in two separate steps (the LFC die also resizing the loaded round while crimping). If all your dies are adjusted properly your ammo should chamber in any firearm designed to use that round.

On to your question of setting up dies...

Decapping sizing die... Run your press ram all the way up, screw the die down till it touches the shell holder.. Tighten the locking ring......

Powder through die... This takes some feel/playing with, how far you have the die screwed in affects the flare on the casemouth. You want the flare to be large enough that the bullet will sit IN the case with as little flare as possible(and without shaving lead if your loading lead bullets). Screwing the die in farther gives you MORE flare....

Seating/crimping die.... Put a sized case into the shellholder, run your ram up all the way, screw your die in till you feel it touch(holding the ram at the top), back it off 1/2 turn. Set the lock nut. Now the adjustment knob sets your Cartridge Overall Length(bullet seating length/depth).

Factory Crimp Die.. Ram all the way up, screw the die in till it touches the shell holder. Set the lock. Run your adjusting knob almost all the way out. Put a LOADED round in your shellholder and run the ram all the way up. Adjust the knob in till you feel it touch. go another 1/4 turn, run the ram and look at your crimp.... All your looking for is that the casemouth touches the bullet all the way around. Turn the knob in for more crimp, out for less....

Hope this helps..