Getting the hang of loading, trouble with Factory Crimp die.

[DenverGP]

Loaded my first batch of test ammo. Wanted to pass on a lesson learned about the Lee factory crimp die.

I loaded up my first bunch, seated the bullets with no crimp from the seating die. Then adjusted the factory crimp die as directed in the instructions. When I ran the round into the crimp die, it felt odd, like it was hitting something. And the round didn't appear to be crimped. So I turned the adjuster in a little more and still got the same result. A little further still, and I actually got a little bit of brass scraped off the round. But the rounds were still a tight fit into my 1911 chamber.

After reading to make sure I was adjusting and using it right, I disassembled the die. It's just the adjuster screw, and a sleeve that has a taper to it. Well, the narrow end of the sleeve was down, instead of the wide end. I flipped that sleeve around, reset things, and the rounds crimped perfectly and pass the plunk test nicely now. I disassembled and discarded the couple rounds I had attempted to crimp with the improperly assembled crimp die.

[jerrymrc]

You must have got the "Monday morning after a holiday" one. All of mine must have been made on Tuesday.

[Zombie Steve]

You must have got the "Monday morning after a holiday" one. All of mine must have been made on Tuesday.

You ain't kiddin. I've found Lee to be totally hit or miss quality, except with their mold blocks. Those are consistently bad.

[DenverGP]

Now that I've got that part flipped around, they all crimped really nice. Drop into the barrel very smoothly. Before the crimp, they didn't drop in smooth, and wouldn't drop out, actually had to pull them out. Calipers said the rounds were just between .468 - .469 at the crimp.

It was a minor thing, and probably should be mentioned in the instructions. Easy enough to check if you know what you are looking for.

[spqrzilla]

For .45 ACP, a Lee FCD is really not that great. An ordinary taper crimp die works best.

But then, I never became "One with Landrieu" and I'm not " of the body" with respect to the whole Lee Factory Crimp Die Cult.

[brutal]

For .45 ACP, a Lee FCD is really not that great. An ordinary taper crimp die works best.

But then, I never became "One with Landrieu" and I'm not " of the body" with respect to the whole Lee Factory Crimp Die Cult.

I started out with a light taper crimp die with .45ACP and never looked back. Haven't had any issue whatsoever.

Some will poo-poo the Lee rifle FCD, but I use them and have good results in my semi-autos.

I'm done with the Lee FL sizing/decapping rifle dies though. Junk.