Lee 454 Factory Crimp Die (collet style) from 460 S&W

[lar45]

This is what I did to cut down a 460S&W factory crimp die to fit the 454 Casull.

Screw your 460 die partway into a press. take a punch and a small hammer to tap the collet insert out of the die body. Go easy and don't break anything.



Once they are apart, take a sharpie and mark the die body at 2.000", mark the collet at 1.285".
Cut them off with a hacksaw, dremel, lathe, anything that can make a nice cleah cut.
Be sure to cut the collet a little long, so you can fine tune it to get the crimp where you want it. Mine is finished up at 1.285"
Be sure to debur your cuts.



I took a set of number punches and marked the collet 454.
Clean everything up and slide the collet back into the body and give it a try.
Let me know if anything is not clear.



Here's a link to the 450 Bushmaster forum where they are talking about modifying Lee FCDs to do a Legendre side crimp to help hold cast bullets firmly in the case.
Lots of pics and step by step instructions.
http://www.450bushmaster.com/viewtop...5&t=685&p=4564

[mdi]

Thanks. But I really wish people would say which FCD they are talking about. I passed this thread because I've had my fill of the FCD "discussion", normally about Lee's FCD for handgun cartridges., and was going to leave to another subforum, but I thought "what drivel is the FCD generating now?". Turns out the subject is Lee's collet crimp die, aka FCD. Totally different animal.

Now I see it's an informative, interesting thread that merits reading. Thanks lar45...

[lar45]

Sorry about not including the collet crimp die.
Is there anyway to change the title?

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Sorry about not including the collet crimp die.
Is there anyway to change the title?

Nope

[mdi]

Not that big of a deal lar45. Probably just part of the effects of 40 days of rain and in need of another cup of coffee. My apologies for my rant...

BTW; good info.!

[AntiqueSledMan]

To the best of my knowledge, the Lee Factory Crimp Dies are the ones with the Collets,
and the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Dies are the ones with the Carbide Ring.

AntiqueSledMan.

[GONRA]

GONRA (full disclosure - not really a revolver guy) sez - bet a .45 Long Colt Lee FCD would verk? ???

[bobthenailer]

I use the Lee 45 colt FCD for a crimp that duplicates the crimp that FA put on there factory 454 Casull ammo , I only use this crimp on full power 454 ammo only, as its hard on the brass , I get excellent accuracy , been used with 3 FA 454 revolvers, over the years.