Pistol Dies help

[XDRoX]

I have been reloading for over 50 years and find the Lee Factory Crimp Die great for semi-auto pistols. Too bad I never learned to set up my other dies properly. Maybe given some additional time ......

What happens if you don't use the LFCD?

In other words, why do you use it?

[XDRoX]

Is there a certain trick to doing this? I apologize for asking questions because I want to make sure I do this thing right and my only experience with dies is with my Redding ones. Setup was simple according to the directions.

It's very easy to set up all the dies accept the seating/crimping die. It can be a little tricky. Just read the directions closely, and post if you have any problems.

[wc12]

Really liking what Lee has to offer in their Deluxe Carbide set, but I hear the lock rings need to be replaced with better ones since they are prone to failing. Any advice on these? And what is the deal with the Lee factory crimp die?

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=622255

Also anyone try out the Hornady New Dimension dies? The 100 "free" bullets is nice and the sliding sleeve is similiar to my Redding seating die but the snap ring looks like a weak point for me.

Midway is not too expensive but here's where I g0t my Lee reloading dies:

https://www.factorysales.com/

[1969glasspar]

Heck I perfer the lock rings with the rubber seal on my dies when using my single stage, they dont fit on my dillon unless upside down. I despise my rcbs dies for the danged copper allen locking screw, heck come to think of it i guess I should order some of those lock rings from lee. Hmmmm....

[williamd]

What happens if you don't use the LFCD?

In other words, why do you use it?

I get 0 - as in 0 - FTF using the Lee FCD. Setting up any other die (including Lee) I got an occasional FTF. Not enough to even bother me at a club. But, 1 in 1000 bothers me if I need to rely on the gun for protection. Fortunately, I have reloaders with a 4th station so no issue.

I have played with other dies for a long time and have never gotten them to perform like the Lee FCD. But, if any of you do not need it then good for ya.

[noylj]

I'm not going to read everything, so this may have been covered.
You need to check your expander and be sure it expands the case enough for lead bullets.
Note that I am not talking about the case mouth flare. Rather, the case ID where the bullet will be seated needs to be no more than 0.002" smaller than bullet diameter and should be 0.001". Most people use an expander designed for jacketed bullets that may not even expand to the proper amount for the jacketed bullet. However, it will be very undersized for lead bullets and even more if your lead bullets need to be 0.002" or more larger in diameter than the jacketed bullet.
Thus, for a 0.357" cast bullet for a 9x19, the expander must size the case ID to 0.355-0.356". As you can see, this would be too large if used for jacketed bullets.
If you use an expander that is too small (or, like some, eliminate the expander and just bell the case mouth), you will either swage the lead bullet down in diameter (unevenly) or you will bulge the case where the wall is thinnest or both.
I have no problem with the rest of the dies and have not had any problems with Hornady's bullet seating dies, like some people say they have had. In general, the Lee dies perform as well as any and you can get a larger expander made easily.
I have Dillon dies and have not been impressed with them.
I like the Hornady New Dimension TiN sizing dies, the Hornady or RCBS expander dies, the Hornady or Lee seating die, the Lee or Dillon powder-through expanders for their powder measures, and any ones taper crimp dies.
For roll crimps, af revolvers and other rimmed cases, the Redding Profile crimp die is the only die to buy.
If running a progressive, get the RCBS Lock-Out die.