FCD vs taper crimp die

N

Nathan

New member
Anybody compare results between these 2 methods?

Method 1 is seat in one step and use Lee Factory Crimp Die in the next step.

Method 2 is seat in step one and use Lee Taper Crimp Die in step 2.

I'm hoping less bullet deformation feeds well, but has better accuracy. Thoughts?
 
The problem I have found with the Lee Factory Crimp Die for handguns is that they re-size the loaded round with a carbide ring at the mouth of the die that over-sizes the bullet, reducing its diameter. Some people report that their Factory Crimp Dies do not do that, but I have actually pulled bullets from rounds utilizing the FCD to find them .002-.003 smaller that when loaded into the cases. I finally knocked the carbide ring from those dies and use them only for a stand-alone crimping die.
 
For rifle, since Dahermit has mentioned pistols, if you are seating a bullet to a crimp grove the FCD is generally a better choice for accuracy.

Of course that is only if a crimp is necessary for your rifle and you have crimp groves in the bullet. If you aren't using bullets with a crimp groove, don't crimp at all.

Jimro
 
The Lee FCDs seem to work as well or better than seat & crimp dies made by others. For pistol rounds where accuracy is paramount, I use a separate taper-crimp die (Redding or Forster, I believe) in .45 ACP, .45 Colt, & .38 Spl./.357 Mag. It's extra work, but the way the groups shrink, it's always been worth it.
 
I use a FCD or Roll crimp on everything that I load. Twenty five years ago when I first started reloading I had problems seating and crimping at the same time but with practice I was able to seat and crimp with the same die.

I have also used the Lee four die set in .40 cal with no problems either.
 
FWIW, I used the face on everything I load pistol. I like it as a final check for diameter on semi autos. I do wonder if I would have same reliability without it, but better accuracy. The thing is, I get good accuracy now.
 
I added the FCD for the very reason mentioned above. Problems loading in a semi-auto. Once I started using the FCD, they all went away. Plus it is very easy to adjust the crimp.

When I load 185 gr SWC HP in .45 ACP, I have to crimp at .469 for the rounds to feed reliably. If I am loading 230 gr RN, I only have to crimp to .471. Doesn't sound like much. but that .002 makes a big difference in feeding the 185 gr SWC HP.
 
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