Lee FCD in 45-70

[bdbrown66]

I've been loading and shooting 45-70 in my Henry levers for a few years now, but I've always just used the RCBS seater die to crimp. For those who have used the Lee FCD in this caliber, what are your thoughts? I know it will lessen the need to be as exacting on trim length, but is there an accuracy improvement? I'm always open to something better.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[Guy Miner]

I'm not sure about an accuracy improvement, but it's an easy and very good way to crimp.

I've got 'em in .45-70 and 30-30. Seriously considering them for the 44 mag & .357 mag as well.

Regards, Guy

 

[DrMike]

I use FCDs on several cartridges. I believe they gave me a consistent release of the bullet, so I've stayed with them for many years.

 

[NYDAN]

I use one for the 450 Marlin and love it. It makes seating depth adjustments and crimping adjustments two different things. You don't have to worry about accidently crushing the case with the seating die. Dan

 

[ShadeTree]

Not a lot of cartridges that I crimp. The ones that I do, I only use a LFC die. Simple, idiot proof for guys like me, and consistent. I usually go with a medium crimp and just confirm it's holding bullets at the loaded length in the magazine under recoil. Very easy to go with a heavier crimp if necessary.

 

[RL338]

I know it will lessen the need to be as exacting on trim length

For a consistent crimp you would want your case the same length. I use Lee’s on the 458 WM and 44-40 , they do what they need to do.

 

[flyingagg]

One cold day, I opened my bolt, case came out, bullet didn't. Since then, I have been using Lee's FCD on everything.

 

[bdbrown66]

One cold day, I opened my bolt, case came out, bullet didn't. Since then, I have been using Lee's FCD on everything.

Sounds like you also need to use a bullet seating gauge, as well.

 

[hunter24605]

I have several and they get used regularly. Maybe just in my mind, but I feel like it ads to the consistency of the rounds. I’ve never seen a load get worse by using them. Simple and almost idiot-proof. Plus the bullet doesn’t need a cannelure to crimp. It may be tad much, but once I get the crimp I want, I’ll measure with a caliper from the top of the die to the press and record that for future batches.

 

[flyingagg]

Sounds like you also need to use a bullet seating gauge, as well.

That 30.06 likes BT and AB 0.010 off the lands. Maybe it had moved in the magazine. Doesn't happen anymore

 

[Charlie-NY]

I use the roll crimp in the seater die and/or the Lee FCD. I honestly can't see any difference on paper. BTW the FCD won't work if you shorten your brass to use the Monoflex or FTX bullets.

The FCD is a good option if you are letting your cases grow but I haven't noticed that they grow very much. Low pressure and having a straight wall case probably helps stabilize case length in the 45-70.

 

[Scrumbag]

Use Lee Factory Crimp dies for:

.223 Rem (55gr FMJ-BT)
.44 Mag (Every round I load)
9.3x62
.404 Jeff (Custom build)

I really like 'em

 

[RL338]

I have several and they get used regularly. Maybe just in my mind, but I feel like it ads to the consistency of the rounds. I’ve never seen a load get worse by using them. Simple and almost idiot-proof. Plus the bullet doesn’t need a cannelure to crimp. It may be tad much, but once I get the crimp I want, I’ll measure with a caliper from the top of the die to the press and record that for future batches.

If only Lee would supply locking die collars.

 

[KinleyWater]

I use them, especially with anything I think might produce heavy recoil. They work well for me.

 

[Scrumbag]

If only Lee would supply locking die collars.

They sell you them separately:

LEE ULTIMATE LOCK RINGS 4 PACK - Titan Reloading

Lee ultimate spline drive lock rings. 4 pack of red, white, blue, and gold anodized aluminum lock-rings with o-rings. One wouldnﾒt think you could improve on a simple thing like a lock ring, but we have. The new split clamp spline drive makes all other lock rings obsolete and clumsy to use. We...

www.titanreloading.com

And I guess they will come with the dies eventually but it's a pain they don't come as standard.

I have used the Hornady lock rings in the past but to get 4 dies with Hornady lock rings on a turret I find you have to file the "corners" down.

Scrummy

 

[Charlie-NY]

I've been loading and shooting 45-70 in my Henry levers for a few years now, but I've always just used the RCBS seater die to crimp. For those who have used the Lee FCD in this caliber, what are your thoughts? I know it will lessen the need to be as exacting on trim length, but is there an accuracy improvement? I'm always open to something better.

Cheers,
Brian

I use a Lee FCD on some loads and the standard roll crimp on others. I have never noticed any difference in accuracy. On a rifle that shoots moa on a good day, it would be hard to see anything that might make a slight improvement (or detriment) to accuracy.

Most of my reloads have so much neck interference or tension that I really don't think they need any crimp at all. My powder fill is usually at the bottom of the bullet and the bullets aren't going to move into the case anyway. But ....... I crimp because it's just a good idea for the lever action cartridges.

 

[JD338]

All my years of reloading I have only used a roll crimp. One of these days I will invest in a factory crimp die for the 44 Mag and 45-70.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

I use an FCD for all my pistol and lever rounds. Love em.