Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading Lee Factory Crimp Die

I have been using a Lee FCD for years. It works well with 9mm - which requires a light taper crimp.

I am wondering - how does the FCD work with rounds like 357 Mag - which requires a heavier roll crimp?

Any heip is appreciated.

GB

It works by giving them a heavy roll crimp !
I’m 99.9 % sure with the Lee FCD dies auto cartridges get a taper crimp , “revolver “ rounds or other pistol rounds get a roll crimp , I’ve used both for years. Love ‘em.

Lee's FCD works great on all hand gun ammo

Especially on semi auto loads and as well as straight walled cartridges

Another great handgun die is the Lyman 'M series' expander die

Try one of those too

Lee factory crimp dies works well on my cast 38/357, 44, and 45 handgun loads. All requiring a roll crimp. However I removed each die's carbide ring as it was acting as a sizing die. I did not want my purposely oversize lead bullets to become resized to jacketed dimensions.

Ditto on that!!

for straight wall pistol cartridges, I prefer the Redding Roll Crimp die to the Lee FCD. In bottleneck rifle rounds, the FCD is superb.

Thanks guys. Good info

GB

Whatever comes with your die set will work fine. If you're doing everything right, there is little use for the FCD.

This.

One advantage of the Lee FCD on a revolver cartridge is that case length is a little less critical. An occasional long case will really screw up the process when crimping my 41 mags in the RCBS seater. Not so much with the Lee FCD.

This.

This +2

Not everything should be called "factory crimp die" - especially when removing the flare from cartridges that headspace on the casemouth. I think it was a mistake to call that "taper crimp".

LEE makes two dies for cartridges that need a roll crimp, the collet crimp and the factory crimp die. They work differently (see writeup).

https://sites.google.com/site/hobbyhintstricksideas/home/crimping-44-magnum

I called it a "factory crimp die" because that is what LEE calls it.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011209519?pid=557190

The 9mm Luger case is tapered by design. And because it headspaces on the case mouth, when one removes the flare, one maintains the taper of the round.

If calling that a "taper crimp" is a misnomer - ok. It for sure ain't a roll crimp.

The issue is "crimp" - folks think it is for holding the bullet in place. Is it still a "taper" with the 40sw?

Another advantage of my Lee FCD for the 41 mag, is the carbide sizing ring in the base of the die. If it comes out of the die, it will fit in the chamber of my revolver.

What it is called - is something you need to take up with LEE. As for what folks think - who knows? I thought the directions were very simple. I have loaded 1,000s of rounds of 9mm with the LEE Factory Crimp Die - not one problem.

GB

Yes sir.

Love that die.

Lee FCD's work fine. I use them on .38spl/357 mag, .45acp and .45 Colt. I have plenty of time, load dozens, not thousands of rounds, so, the extra step doesn't bother me in the least.
For my handloading needs, they make life easier.