Lee FCD in 44 Mag

[kelbro]

Why/when would I use one of these for a 44Mag if my regular seating die provides a good roll crimp?

Could it help feeding in a Marlin 1894? Could it hurt anything? Is it just an un-necessary extra operation?

Looking for feedback from folks that have used one.

Thanks!

[runfiveslittlegirl]

they are pretty good at smashing your properly sized boolits in the case.

[RobS]

they are pretty good at smashing your properly sized boolits in the case.

+1
The Lee FCD can and does swagger down the bullet in many cases. If you have alot of resistence while working the last stage (crimping) then without any question your perfectly sized bullet is being resized for you. Pull the round re-measure it and I am sure you can come to your own conclusion.

[fredj338]

IMO, the LFCD should only be used w/ jacketed bullets if you feel you really need to use one. It is a disaster w/ plated or lead bullets running 0.001" larger than jacketed. Stick /w your roll crimp.

[kelbro]

Got it in a trade. Didn't see much use for it but I wanted to check.

[mpmarty]

Kelbro I had a few of them and they make GREAT fishing sinkers.

[randyrat]

I used a FCD in my 45acp....I unscrewed the crimp out and just used the body to be sure all my 45 acp ammo will feed 100%.... Some of my older loaded cast bullets were a little too fat to feed in my new 45. No crimp needed...

I can see using it in that situation but i doubt i would crimp any cast bullet with it.

[dave_g]

I'm glad someone asked this. I'm looking at the Lee dies for 44 also wasn't sure about the need for the extra die. I've never had a problem with 38's or 357's needing to be sized after I load them. I think I'm going to go with the normal 3 die set.

[MtGun44]

We have had a steady stream of folks where the pistol type FCD eventually proved
to be damaging the boolit. The rifle-type factory crimp die works on an entirely different
principle and is a great tool.

Bill

[RobS]

We have had a steady stream of folks where the pistol type FCD eventually proved
to be damaging the boolit. The rifle-type factory crimp die works on an entirely different
principle and is a great tool.
Bill

+1 on what Bill said

[Heavy lead]

It is still a great crimper, just knock the bottom ring out if it sizes the boolit down. The 44 mag is the only one I've had to do this with. The 45 ACP works perfect, the 45 Colt doesn't even touch the case.

[Bula]

I use them all the time. Even if boolits are sized to .432, the only resistance I get is when the brass is being 'rolled' into the cannelure. Same with .357 mag and .45 colt. Maybe the opening sizer ring is out of spec (too tight) sometimes? I just got used to using them as my press is the Lee 4 hole cast turret.

[44man]

Just when has Lee ever made two things the same dimensions?

[45 2.1]

Just when has Lee ever made two things the same dimensions?

Now that is an understatement if there ever was one. Those dies do work quite well for just sizing the case without oversizing it and they work well for siizing some straight wall rifle calibers enough to hold a boolit.

[Down South]

It is still a great crimper, just knock the bottom ring out if it sizes the boolit down. The 44 mag is the only one I've had to do this with. The 45 ACP works perfect, the 45 Colt doesn't even touch the case.
That's exactly what I've done with several Lee FCD's. Knock the sizing ring out and use it for a crimp die only. It works well for me since I like to seat in one station and crimp in another station.