Lee factory crimp die issues

[Walkalong]

A few folks have convinced me there is a really good use of the Lee FCD, and that is to keep them from having to gauge every loaded round for the shooting games where a failure to feed or fire is significantly worse than whether the ammo is bullseye accurate. Lots of people use it this way. Their loads are plenty accurate enough and they never jam up the gun.

That said, yes, the reloader should take care to make sure the FCD isn't covering a mistake that can be remedied by adjustments. It should be there to iron out the occasional bullet that got seated a little crooked, or an over sized bullet causing a bulge, or a nicked up case etc.

Some folks like to use a case gauge, and some like to use the FCD. I always advise, if asked, that one learn without it, so they can catch mistakes and fine tune their reloading adjustments etc before adding the FCD to the mix.

 

[jcwit]

OK, I too will concede to that.

 

[Ccctennis]

Here is the latest update.

Stage one. Resized. Case mouth mic'ed to .375
Stage two bell mouth to .388
Stage three seat to 1.150 and crimp to .378

I tried the fcd die again and did every possible adjustment to see where I could be making a mistake. No such luck. The bullets are .355.

At least with my rcbs seat/crimp die I can produce acceptable rounds but I still get occasional ones that don't pass inspection. Using the fcd I was getting rounds that would get stuck half way in the gauge like the whole brass case was bulged. The funny part is how the instructions say to set fcd against shell plate but i didn't even get a good round until I was a few turns up off the plate. Still I would like to learn and resolve the issues. Perhaps a new die set with seating and taper crimp seperated?

 

[rcmodel]

Do they fall in and out of your barrels chamber freely? (Plunk Test)

If they do, you don't have a seating / crimp problem.

You have a case gage problem.

rc

 

[Lman57]

My LEE die set is there deluxe die set with 4 dies.
Carbide Sizing Die Full Length Sizer
Powder through Expanding Die ( not using I am using the Dillon Die)
Bullet Seat and Feed Die.
Carbide Factory Crimp Die.

 

[Ccctennis]

Does the lee powder thru die work on 550b?

 

[Lman57]

Does the lee powder thru die work on 550b?

I don't know I did not try it on my 550 Dillon,the Dillon die has the funnel so I am using the Dillon powder die not the Lee.

 

[Lman57]

Looking at the Lee powder thru die it does not have the cut ring area on top for the powder measure to attach to.

 

[Walkalong]

Here is the latest update.

Stage one. Resized. Case mouth mic'ed to .375
Stage two bell mouth to .388
Stage three seat to 1.150 and crimp to .378

I tried the fcd die again and did every possible adjustment to see where I could be making a mistake. No such luck. The bullets are .355.

At least with my rcbs seat/crimp die I can produce acceptable rounds but I still get occasional ones that don't pass inspection. Using the fcd I was getting rounds that would get stuck half way in the gauge like the whole brass case was bulged. The funny part is how the instructions say to set fcd against shell plate but i didn't even get a good round until I was a few turns up off the plate. Still I would like to learn and resolve the issues. Perhaps a new die set with seating and taper crimp seperated?

Kind of odd. Have you tried the FCD with the middle piece screwed out? That is what adjusts the crimp. It sounds like that is too far down, because it shouldn't matter how far down the die body is, I don't think anyway. Try it without the crimp part and run all the way down and see what happens. If they are OK after that, the middle crimp part was adjusted too far down.

But like rcmodel said, if they fit your barrel you are good to go with that pistol.

Try the FCD without the innards and see what happens. I am curious.

 

[ddc]

Maybe the FCD is defective. I don't recall if you've mentioned talking to Lee tech support yet?

 

[BigBore45]

So anyone who uses Lee dies and a FCD is stupid on 2 counts? We are too stupid to adjust a die correctly and we are stupid for buying junk?

Not very High Road IMO!

no kidding, not to mention with the Lee FCD i do not have to sort my head stamps to make reliable range ammo or when i use over sized lead bullets.

 

[vaalpens]

Here is the latest update.

Stage one. Resized. Case mouth mic'ed to .375
Stage two bell mouth to .388
Stage three seat to 1.150 and crimp to .378

I normally get my crimp to .376" with the Lee FCD.

 

[Lman57]

I normally get my crimp to .376" with the Lee FCD.

Mine are crimped to .376

 

[jwalts27]

You should contact LEE and see if they can give some measurements of the sizer. Its possible that the wrong insert is in there I suppose.

 

[1KPerDay]

Here is the latest update.

Stage one. Resized. Case mouth mic'ed to .375
Stage two bell mouth to .388
Stage three seat to 1.150 and crimp to .378

I tried the fcd die again and did every possible adjustment to see where I could be making a mistake. No such luck. The bullets are .355.

At least with my rcbs seat/crimp die I can produce acceptable rounds but I still get occasional ones that don't pass inspection. Using the fcd I was getting rounds that would get stuck half way in the gauge like the whole brass case was bulged. The funny part is how the instructions say to set fcd against shell plate but i didn't even get a good round until I was a few turns up off the plate. Still I would like to learn and resolve the issues. Perhaps a new die set with seating and taper crimp seperated?

Your crimp may be inadequate, if your case gauge is very snug. bullet=.355", case=.010"x2=.02", total .375 or .376". Try dialing in a couple thousandths more crimp.

maybe...

 

[1KPerDay]

Stage one. Resized. Case mouth mic'ed to .375
Stage two bell mouth to .388
Stage three seat to 1.150 and crimp to .378

HOLD UP... EVERYONE HOLD UP.

Are you SEATING with the FCD?!@#?!@#?!Q##?!@?



I think we all assumed you were seating with the standard seater die of a 3-die set, and THEN using the FCD to apply final crimp. THAT is its intended purpose.

It does NOT replace the 3rd stage (seating/crimping die) if that's how you're trying to use it.


Have I solved the mystery??

 

[Gadawg88]

That could explain it. You should be seating with the normal seating die adjusted to apply NO crimp. Then apply crimp with the FCD. You do not move the FCD up an down. You screw it in till it makes light contact with the shell holder. Back to the adjustment knob on top so you get no crimp, then slowly screw it down in small increments till you get the desired crimp.

From Lee website:"A carbide sizer inside the Carbide Factory Crimp die post-sizes the cartridge while it is crimped so every round will positvely chamber freely with factory like dependability. The adjusting screw quickly and easily sets the desired amount of crimp. It is impossible to buckle the case as with a conventional bullet seating die. Trim length is not critical so this extra operation takes less time than it would if cases were trimmed and chamfered.

Revolver dies roll crimp with no limit as to the amount. A perfect taper crimp is applied to auto-loader rounds. The crimper cannot be misadjusted to make a case mouth too small to properly head-space. A firm crimp is essential for dependable and accurate ammunition. It eliminates the problems of poor ignition of slow burning magnum powders." If this doesn't work, then you need to call Lee.

 

[Walkalong]

Have I solved the mystery??

You may be onto something.

 

[Lman57]

^^^^^
That's how I do it.

 

[Ccctennis]

No I'm not seating with the fcd. I am using my rcbs seating die at station3 and fcd is at station 4. The fcd has a stem for crimp not seating. Didn't know that seated anything as per instructions.

Yes I will try fcd with innards out tonight and see.

 

[Lman57]

When I was using my LEE single stage press before my wife bought me the Dillon for Christmas I would seat and crip with the same die. I would put a slight crip it don't take much.

 

[Potatohead]

HOLD UP... EVERYONE HOLD UP.

Are you SEATING with the FCD?!@#?!@#?!Q##?!@?

Ooh. That would be bad.

 

[Potatohead]

As has been said many, many times before.

It's amazing how many rounds of pistol ammo were loaded prior to Lee coming out with this, and all those rounds worked perfect by those who knew what they were doing.

Thanks for trying to help with that enlightening tidbit (which we've all heard on those many many times before, when those other people said it), and if you were trying to sway the opinion of the folks, wherever they are, that believe ammunition cannot be produced without using an FCD, I think you made a very good case.

FCD comments, and especially the motivations behind them (from people whom I suspect have never used one) are fascinating to me.

 

[StrutStopper]

Looking at the Lee powder thru die it does not have the cut ring area on top for the powder measure to attach to.

Not sure what you mean by the cut ring area on top. If you unscrew the funnel adapter, the lee powder thru die is threaded to accept a powder measure adapter or extension. I have my lee auto disk attached to it, not sure about if it works with other brands though.

 

[jcwit]

FCD comments, and especially the motivations behind them (from people whom I suspect have never used one) are fascinating to me.

Hey there smarty pants! Put it that way to stay on THR, dude!

Yes I've used the Lee FCD, in fact long before you were even a member here.

Walkalong walked me thru the process so as I had no use for it.

You are more than welcome to buy it from me plus shipping, its now rusty as it's been tossed in the heap of scrap metal that will be taken to the recycler in due time, if perchance you reply wishing it, I'll be happy to try to find it, cost with free shipping $75.00.

Oh Ya, It's 45 ACP caliber. AKA 45 Auto.

There you go.