Lee Dies for .45ACP

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novaDAK

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I'm going to start reloading .45acp and will be getting Lee dies since I've been satisfied with them for .38spl I've been loading.

Anyhow, I have the standard 3-die set for .38 and it works great.

For .45acp, should I get the 3-die set, or should I get the 4-die set that includes the Factory Crimp die? I hear it is more useful in semi-auto cartridges since they headspace off the mouth instead of the rim, so the proper crimp is more important than on a revolver. I'll be using hard cast 230gr LRN most likely and shooting it out of an XD45 mostly.

Thanks. :)
 
I'd get the factory crimp die. Be careful not to overcrimp,too much is as bad as not enuf! Use the barrel of your pistol as a go/no go gauge. If the loaded rounds can be dropped into the barrel with a satisfing "thunk" when they hit bottom you should be good to go.
 
Absolutely get the 4 die set with the FCD. The FCD with the carbide final sizer ring ensures a concentric, properly sized finished round. None of us can get a bullet ideally poistioned in the case mouth everytime prior to seating.

I don't like to seat and crimp at the same time. It's easier and more convenient to seat, then move to the crimp station.

The FCD goes a long way in ensuring a reliable feeding round.
 
I've loaded and shot thousands of .45 without issue without ever using a Lee FCD die. Then I tried one in .45. Waste of time and potentially harmful to the loaded round. It sits idle. Anybody want it? How did I ever get by? ;)
 
Depends alot on your barrels chamber if you need a FCD. Match barrel, FCD recommended. Especially if your using cast bullets that have a lube on them that causes sooty deposits in the chamber.
 
Get the four die set. It's only $5-6 difference in price. Then if you want to use the FCD, you have it handy.
 
I used to like the FCD. "It's just the coolest thing that the case walls are straight." BUT be aware, you will be resizing the seated bullet in the case. If using mixed brass, that equals different bullet diameters leaving the case. Less accuracy . . . I'm guessing that's what Walkalong is talking about??? Get thick enough brass, and you can get a bullet diameter too small to stabilize the bullet when fired.

Having said that, the XD is the platform for the FCD to shine. Mine was finicky and the FCD cured that . . . so did selling the gun :)

Then if you want to use the FCD, you have it handy.
Click to expand...

But if you don't want it, you have to go buy a new seat/crimp die as the only crimp you have in the 4 die set is the FCD. Now that I think about it, go wth the 3-die set and buy a FCD if you have failure to feeds in the XD.

Also, try Missouri Bullet Co and their 200 grn RNFP XD. They're sweet and feed great in XDs "feed like butter" is how they're advertised.
 
I've loaded and shot thousands of .45 without issue without ever using a Lee FCD die.
Click to expand...
That includes match chambers. Simply not a need for it if your bullets are not over sized and are seated straight.
 
Interesting. Besides my XD (which has been flawless so far) I'll also be shooting them out of a Gold Cup NM and a Ruger P90 w/ bar-sto barrel).

I'll have to think longer (and have more comments posted).
 
novaDak, as Walkalong has a FCD and doesn't need it, why not see if he will part with it for a little? Walkalong, no disrepect intended.
"Dean Williams" thoughts are pretty sound.
I use the Lee Classic Turret Press with the 4-hole turret and the FCD. I'm content with the setup. YMMV.
 
I've sized my bullets at .451 and also .452 and had the problem with both sizes. I called Lee and he suggested the FCD and it did solve my problem. And yes they are seated straight.

At any rate it did solve my problem.
 
I load for five pistol calibers and have never used a FCD, I use the three die setup and crimp and seat the bullet at the same time, never a problem in 50,000 rounds. So tell me about the FCD.
 
Quote: cinteal

But if you don't want it, you have to go buy a new seat/crimp die as the only crimp you have in the 4 die set is the FCD. Now that I think about it, go wth the 3-die set and buy a FCD if you have failure to feeds in the XD.
Click to expand...

Lee's catalog says the four die set is the regular three die carbide pistol set, with the addition of the FCD.
 
floydster, no tell us about your firearms. Out of 4 1911 45acp's I only had trouble with one. That one had an Ed Brown custom match barrel installed. But then what do I know, it only fixed my problem.

From any of my other calibers I have not needed a FCD, of course most of the others do not get shot often. Not enough hours in a day.
 
Lee's catalog says the four die set is the regular three die carbide pistol set, with the addition of the FCD.
Click to expand...

Yep. I stand corrected. :fire: Had to go look at my dies, to verify, though.

So . . . Gotta go with Dean on the purchase! Still wouldn't use it if I didn't need to.
 
I shoot a lot of 38spl. out of my .357 BlackHawk and I just use the bullet seating and crimp die to put a slight roll crimp on the case.
You don't need a separate die for crimping whether it be for taper crimp or roll crimp and I have been doing this for many years. The separate FCD is bull!
 
I have the carbide 4-die set for .45ACP. I would not load for .45ACP without it anymore.

T2E
 
jcwit,
So I am learning, tell me what problems you were having with your .451 & .452 sized bullets using the seating and crimp die.
My .45's are a EMP Springfield, Witness Elite Match and a Witness "Stock"target.
Maybe I am missing something all these years.
Thanks,Floydster
 
The pistol I had was a Kimber Custom stainless with an Ed Brown Custom Match barrel.

Problem was the slide would not go into full battery when chambering a round. It would be just short of full battery by maybe 1/16 of an inch, and I'm going by memory here.

Anyway I had tried different OAL, bullet configurations, crimping with the crimp/seating die, ect., ect. All to no avail. Gave up and called Lee and he told me to use the FCD. I did using the OAL listed in the manuals and the problem was solved. What more can I say other than it worked.

Again it was only this one pistol that I had this problem.
 
You don't need the FCD for .45 ACP. The seating die has a taper crimp as part of the die. I've been loading .45 ACP for a long time and have had NO PROBLEM tapercrimping with the Lee seater die...
 
I don't know about yall . . .

. . . but my economy cast bullets don't come in just .451 and .452, no matter from whom I buy them. Sometimes thay nake a big bulge, sometimes it ain't no bulge. Sometimes it's different case wall thickness that determines the bulge size. I can see that every now and then you put a thick bullet in a thick walled case and get a really big bulge that won't chamber properly. Hey, that's the purpose of the FCD! . . . no bulge where the bullet is seated in the case, no matter what diameter bullet, no matter how thick the case. It adds a taper crimp IN ADDITION to resizing the case again for more reliable feeding.

If you need it, use it. If bulging rounds will feed, I recommend that you don't FC'it so that you keep from resizing the bullet to a smaller diameter.

Every gun is different. Novadak has an XD that will feed, apparently, mine you had to kiss it to get it to take anything ;)
 
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