Topic: Factory crimp dies.

[idahobuckeye]

New to reloading and was wondering the benefit to factory crimp dies.  Do they make a huge difference on ballistics? Or is this another way for the reloading companies to make an extra buck? Currently been reloading .223 and am going to start .45 and 9mm.  Any insight is greatly appreciated.

[Jeff]

I use a Lee FCD on everything I reload. I think it makes a difference.

[ballardw]

The main advantage from what I see with the FCD is feed reliability. In some cases you may have slightly thicker sidewalls and with a given bullet after seating the diameter of the case may be a bit larger than some rifles or pistols may feed reliably. The FCD helps keep that from happening. On the other hand the additional crimp might adversely affect accuracy for some rifles, probably not going to be noticeable with most pistol shooting.

I would say it is an excellent idea for mixed head stamp brass in autoloaders if the added step is acceptable.

[J Mack]

I switched from a tapper crimp to a factory crimp die for all my simiauto reloading a couple of years ago and I think they are more of a time saver for me than anything else.
The Lee Factory crimp die is not as sensitive to case Over All Length as the tapper crimp die, as an example we shoot & reload our .223 cases several times without trimming often times mixing brass that has been fired in different weapons that will net a different case OAL after sizing and this is a creates issues trying to get a consistent crimp with the traditional tapered die.         
I only crimp my auto stuff to prevent bullet set back during cycling and I have never seen a need to crimp the ammo for any bolt or single feed weapon.

[2big2fail]

   I would urge that you use caution when using a fcd.  Care must be taken when setting the crimps compression depth.  The amount of crimp you use can effect a rifle bullets accuracy and pressure(although not a great deal).  If you're using bullets with a cannelure, you will have the best results with crimping.  If there is no cannelure, such as Speer match, Nosler, and so on, try to use brass with a snug fit and go without crimping or at least a very light crimp as any crimp will begin to squeeze the bullet distorting it. 
   Also, not all bulllets have a cannelure just where you might like, some don't line up with casing length and seating depth.  I loaded some Hornady 100 gr .243 that when the bullet was seated to the proper depth, the cannelure was completely exposed above the mouth.   Just find the right bullet for you're preferences and crimp away.
     Pistol dies typically have a roll crimp allready in the seating die.  As you seat the bullet, at the very last moment, the crimp will roll the brass into the slug. test this with an empty and see.  So there are two adjustments to make on pistol dies. "depth" and "roll".  If the crimp happens too soon, you'll get crushed casings and a halo around the nose of the bullet.  Hope that helps
     

[idahobuckeye]

Thank you all for your insights and thoughts.  Next time reloading I will take everything said here into consideration.

-Stephen

[fj40mojo]

I use the Lee FCD for all my semi auto reloading- 9mm, 45acp, .223. My primary purpose is to prevent setback during cycling, but you may want to crimp for your magnum pistol and rifle cartridges too as heavy recoil can cause the bullets to walk out of the case. I don't see the need to crimp for standard rifle cartridges except in semi autos. Every seating die I'm familiar with has the capacity to roll crimp, but this process is sensitive to case overall length and therefore requires case trimming, a step I don't like to include in my pistol loading. Lee's FCD give a consistent crimp regardless of case length.