I'm new to reloading and I would like to ask a question about the Lee Factory Crimp Die in 45-70. In the load books the data usally has a note saying to use a firm crimp. What does that mean in terms of setting up the FCD? I don't want to crimp too much or too little.

I'm using Winchester cases and Laser Cast 350 gr. .459 bullets.

Thanks!

The way I set mine up is to remove the die from the press put a case in the shell holder and run the case up all the way. Screw in the die until the crimp part just contacts the case mouth and turning it in with your fingers you feel resistance. For bullets without a crimp groove turn the die down no more than 1/4 turn, that will give a slight crimp even without a crimp groove and will not hurt accuracy. If you go 1/2 turn crimp on a bullet without a crimp groove you will shoot patterns, not groups.
If your bullet has a crimp groove in the right place then you turn the die down 1/2 turn. That will give you a nice firm crimp in the crimp groove. Again, I have gone more than 1/2 turn and it hurt groups so don't over do it.
You can experiment with the amount of crimp to use but under no circumstances do you want to go past the point where the collet is past being closed. That will damage the die. With 1/4 to 3/4 turn of crimp you are nowhere near having the collet completely closed.

I am new to Lee Products. I have never used their Factory Crimp Die. I am loading 8mm mauser ammo on an RCBS press with Lee Dies. Everything works fine until I get to the Factory Crimp Die. As I look at the cartridge coming into the die from the top it is off center. It will crimp the bullet about half way around and not crimp the other side. What am I doing wrong? I have tried the lee shell holder and the rcbs holder and get the same thing. I have no trouble with and other crimp dies. Any help would be appriciated.

Well, this being a Beartooth Bullet board, I'm unsure what you do to crimp a Laser Cast bullet.

The Lee FCD die applies a taper crimp, as opposed to the roll crimp your regular bullet seating die installs.

Its a little hard to tell you exactly how much crimp to place on a cast bullet - more of a trial and error type thing. Not enough crimp and the bullet moves back into the case with recoil of the rifle as it nests in the tubelar magazine with the other rounds. Too much crimp and pressure builds plus the possibility of stripping lead from the cast bullet.

The best way to determine enough crimp (of a Beartooth bullet) is to seat the bullet in an empty case with a bit of crimp and then place the round on a hard surface, nose down, and press with your hand. If the bullet moves, apply more crimp. Once the cartridge passes this test, use this crimp amount and load a few test cartridges. Place them in the magazine and fire off a round. Eject the remaining and measure to see if they moved backwards with the recoil and thumping of the stacked cartridges in the magazine. If so, use some more crimp. If not, you're good to go.

Again, this works with Beartooth bullets, your mileage may vary with other brands.

I'm combining this thread with the one previous for the same question. It helps if folks will check the other threads before posting the same question.

I don't think that you are crimping enough with the FCD. You're using a cast bullet, go ahead and turn the die in a bit at a time till you get an even crimp all the way around. The FCD should easily mash the case mouth into the bullet, whether it is lined up with the cannelure or not. The 'best' amount of crimp for accuracy will have to be determined by trial & error, of course.

You might also take it apart, and make sure there isn't any 'crud' between the fingers of the collet. That could prevent them from closing evenly.

Other than that.... can't think of any reason you should be having problems.

I seat bullets and crimp in separate operations on the .45-70

It's real easy to back the crimp off and seat all the bullets to proper depth. Then I back off the seater plug and use the method Big Bore describes to adjust the crimp.

By crimping as a separate operation I find that it's much easier to "feel" when the crimp is complete without over doing it. It will be easier on your cases and make them last longer too.

for reloading .357 mag and .38 spl. in conjuction with the lee carbide speed die and custom bullet seater lee made for me.... i have 2 single stage presses side by side on my loading bench to make it all go smooth........


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