I bought the LEE Carbide Pistol Dies Cabela's -- Lee Carbide Pistol Dies some time ago for my 357 and realized I could roll crimp with the set, is that true? It looks like a crimp rolled into the lead to me...while not rolled in too much. I have ready that buying a factory crimp die Cabela's -- Lee Pistol Crimp Dies - Pistol would help with accuracy and also help keep my bullets from backing out. So I bought one. When I read the little pamphlet that came with the factory crimp die, there is a section that read, "Revolver cartridges are crimped with a beautiful, uniform roll crimp..." Well, why purchase a factory crimp die for my 357 (revolver) when the set of dies I have already seem to give a roll crimp? Am I doing something wrong with the dies or misunderstanding something?
I use my Lee dies to put a light crimp on my .38 Special and .357 Magnum loads - works fine. The Factory Crimp Die is great for rifle cases, but I simply don't see the need for pistol cases.
Yes, the bullet seating die will put in a roll crimp when properly set.
That said, I still prefer to crimp with the Lee FCD as it also does a final sizing in case the crimp causes a little bullet bulge. The regular sizer doe does not.
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People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?
The lighter the crimp the better as long as powder is burning right and bullet isn't setting back or going ahead to lock cylinder.It depends on how soft the bullet is a lot.I've never had much trouble using the seater die and not using the factory crimp. ,,,sam.
Yeah, I was just wondering if the FCD was worth it. For $17 and being right next to a Cabelas for the next week, I could take it back for something else. So, is the only real difference, then, that the FCD resizes as the case is coming back out? It doesn't seem like a big deal to me seeing as how they both are roll crimpers. So long as I don't over crimp...right?
Yeah, I was just wondering if the FCD was worth it. For $17 and being right next to a Cabelas for the next week, I could take it back for something else. So, is the only real difference, then, that the FCD resizes as the case is coming back out? It doesn't seem like a big deal to me seeing as how they both are roll crimpers. So long as I don't over crimp...right?
As to your original question: Yes, the Lee Dies will do a crimp when properly set.
As to this question: the Lee Factory Crimp Die is useful for adding an additional crimp that reduces the possibility of the bullets moving forward from their seated position, due to recoil.
I would keep the LFC Die.
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I used to gauge all my rounds after reloading and have found that the FCD die gave a more uniform size to the loaded cartridge. Since using the FCD die, I rarely find a round that doesn't gauge and I only gauge ammo for competition.
The other advantage of having a separate seater then crimp step is that it is easier to adjust the seating depth when you don't have to adjust the crimp at the same time.
On the other hand, you can produce perfectly satisfactory ammo with the basic Lee die set.
DocAitch
They do. My LFCD for my 45 long colt puts a stab crimp on, and the LFCD for my 45ACP ammo puts on a taper crimp.
Very interesting...so, I suppose I will go ahead and keep the FCD if ya'll says so. And by the way, it's a 357 Service Six and I am a horrible shot...I am hoping that my lack of use of a FCD may be a least a partial contributor.
The LFCD's are the catz azz. It doesn't matter if all your cases are exactly uniform because it crimps the same everytime.
Here's what a stab crimp looks like in the LFCD used for revolver rounds and rifle ammunition. Keep in mind the LFCD's for rifle rounds are open topped.
The LFCD's are the catz azz. It doesn't matter if all your cases are exactly uniform because it crimps the same everytime.
Here's what a stab crimp looks like in the LFCD used for revolver rounds and rifle ammunition. Keep in mind the LFCD's for rifle rounds are open topped.
Huh? I've been reloading for about 25 years, and the only thing I have ever heard called stab crimping is for primers. This is a "stab crimp"
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People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?
The LFCD's are the catz azz. It doesn't matter if all your cases are exactly uniform because it crimps the same everytime.
Here's what a stab crimp looks like in the LFCD used for revolver rounds and rifle ammunition. Keep in mind the LFCD's for rifle rounds are open topped.
Yeah, that's what it looks like for my rifle rounds, but the seating die that came with my kit, roll crimps. The LFCD says nothing about a stab crimp, but only the roll crimp for the revolver.
