Ranch Dog 357 FCD

[Love Life]

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[SciFiJim]

Have you pulled a boolit that has had the FCD used on it to see if it resizes the boolit? I have been thinking about getting one, but so far I am not having a problem with using the seat/crimp die in separate operations.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Generally the RD crimp (Lee makes these) does not resize the boolit. If you choose to really crush the case deeper than the crimp groove was designed then yes in that area the boolit will be distorted.
These FCD dies are given ample entry channels so very oversized boolits will enter.
I am presently working with a very fat throated 44-40 1892 SRC made in 1908. Boolits are .435. RCBS dies will not accept that loaded cartrige into the crimper. But the standard Lee FCD will easily accept a .436 because it is a collet type tool. This type crimp system is one of the better ideas to come along.
If dealing with standard diameters and calibers there is not alot of benefit. If you do crimp on a seperate cycle as many do than this is a handy tool to have. But if you must deal with oversized throats these FCD dies are a big help.
Mike in Peru

[Johnch]

Have you pulled a boolit that has had the FCD used on it to see if it resizes the boolit? I have been thinking about getting one, but so far I am not having a problem with using the seat/crimp die in separate operations.


His Lee FCD's are specail order
Not like the standard pistol FCD's that size the bullet

These are rifle type

I am able to crimp .3605 dia bullets in 357 mag brass without any problems of the die sizing the bullet

John

[357shooter]

Looking forward to your results. I just recieved my 357 rifle FCD from Ranch Dog too. I'll be testing it vs a Dillon crimp die and Lee crimp (using the seating body) and will post those results. It'll be a couple of weeks though.

Oh, my test guns are a 6.5 inch Blackhawk and a 20 inch Rossi lever action rifle.

[Ranch Dog]

Hope you don't mind me joining in. These FCDs are designed exactly like the rifle collet dies. They apply a four segment rectangular crimp to the very edge of the case rim. If you are crimping in the crimp groove of your bullet, you will see no marks on your bullet. If you are crimping on the bullets' ogive, you might see four wide lines representing the collet contact points and that is all. I do not see how these dies could resize your bullet as the collet contact point moves horizontally toward the case rim as the cartridge reaches the limit of travel. The collet moves horizontally away for the case as the cartridge movement reverses. Even if you over tighten the die it will not size the bullet, it might start to collapse the case but there is no movement up or down as the collet contacts the case rim. Here is an image from my website.

http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/images/FCD01.jpg

I did design these collets to work with cast bullets of the appropriate diameter:

357 Mag - .359 (+/- .003")
41 Mag - .411 (+/- .003")
44 Mag - .432 (+/- .003")
45 Colt - .454" (+/- .003")

I would be very interested in seeing comparison tests mentioned above.

[Johnch]

OH I forgot to add

A washer can be used to crimp a longer case

I am using a washer on top of the shell holder to crimp 454 with a 45 colt crimper or 357 Max with a 357 Mag crimper

You just have to have the washer thick enough to make up the differance in OAL of the cases
With the ID of the washer semi close ( some slop is fine ) to the OD of the case

I made mine out of brass and polished them to look pretty
But I bet even a piece of plastic , if hard enough woul work

John

[Ranch Dog]

John is right, they will work with the mentioned cartridges with a washer that fits both the case and added height. I never get into that as a form of disclaimer. In that I am a very small business, I'd rather not deal into the possibility of a returned item in that it really effects my store's pocket book. If it is bought for anything else than the stated use, they are on their own.

[Catshooter]

RD's stuff works and you can trust it to do so.

There is no carbide risizing ring in his collet dies so there is no resizing going on, so you don't need to be concerned about sizing your boolit smaller.

I have his die in 45 Colt and it works a treat. I haven't noticed any increase (or decrease) in accuracy but I like the crimp it gives. I use it exclusevly.


Cat

[Ranch Dog]

I like them because it eliminates all the guess work of die adjustment in that you can see into the die as it crimps and you can see the crimp as applied. I shoot heavy loads, the FCD maintains the OAL that I loaded the cartridges at.

[DLCTEX]

How about one in 45 ACP?

[catboat]

Lobbying for one in 38 special.

Lobbying for one in 38 special.

Lobbying for one in 38 special.

(That's 3 votes). :-)

[azrednek]

Lobbying for one in 38 special.

Lobbying for one in 38 special.

Lobbying for one in 38 special.

(That's 3 votes). :-)

How about one that will do 38 and with a washer do 357??

How about one that will do 38 and with a washer do 357??

How about one that will do 38 and with a washer do 357??

We're up to six!!

[azrednek]

How about one in 45 ACP?

With the possibility that the CEO Mr Ranchdog himself is following this thread and could forward this request to his team of R&D specialists!! How about one that will also put a roll crimp on 45 Auto Rim. Possibly the die body could be made and sold with two inserts. One for taper and the other for roll crimps.

[SciFiJim]

Lobbying for one in 38 special.

Lobbying for one in 38 special.

Lobbying for one in 38 special.

(That's 3 votes). :-)


Go to Ranch Dog Outdoors "Product Development Page" and vote there for your choice of FCD.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEFXT0J2U2cyYTZHZGxKUGd2N0dObVE6M Q

Michael is a stand up guy and your vote will be valuable to him on what to develop next.

[Ranch Dog]

The 38 and 44 Spl are possible but because of the cartridge length it would require a different die body, they would use the new Bottle Neck Pistol Cartridge FCD body. In that die, everything is upside down and the collet reacts to the pressure against the top of the die. I had some samples made up for my present offerings and they are slick and smooth (I kept them for my use). The only problem I must consider is the cost and customer reaction to that price, probably near twice what a normal FCD costs. Please also understand that I just cannot buy a couple of them, I must buy 100 at a whack and that requires quite an investment for an individual.

[Ranch Dog]

With the possibility that the CEO Mr Ranchdog himself is following this thread and could forward this request to his team of R&D specialists!! How about one that will also put a roll crimp on 45 Auto Rim. Possibly the die body could be made and sold with two inserts. One for taper and the other for roll crimps.

A FCD does not apply a taper or roll crimp, it applies a collet crimp. The rim, lip, swag cut into a die body applies the taper or roll crimp as the cartridge is forced against it so I'm not sure how the collet could do it.

[Ranch Dog]

How about one in 45 ACP?

The 45 ACP is supposed to headspace with the case mouth on the step so a collet FCD should not be used.