Crimp on 45Colt

[fishnbob]

I bought a 3 Die Lee set and I am crimping with the seater die. Would I be better off seating the boolit with the seater and buying a FCD to do the crimping?

[fryboy]

depends upon what you're shooting ... a cast boolit can actually be swaged down using the factory crimp die if set too much , yet with the regular seating/crimp die the roll crimp can be adjusted as desired and while too much can mess up the crimp groove part of a cast boolit it wont swage down the rest of the bearing surface like the carbide factory crimp can , if your shooting jacketed it shouldnt matter as long as you're crimping in the cannelure , the FCD is more of a post loading case sizer IMHO as their blurb states "for ammo that must fit " , so if your loads fit now then no sir it's not needed

[fishnbob]

Thanks for the advice Fryboy. Very informative and covers all my questions

[Doc.Holliday]

depends upon what you're shooting ... a cast boolit can actually be swaged down using the factory crimp die if set too much , yet with the regular seating/crimp die the roll crimp can be adjusted as desired and while too much can mess up the crimp groove part of a cast boolit it wont swage down the rest of the bearing surface like the carbide factory crimp can , if your shooting jacketed it shouldnt matter as long as you're crimping in the cannelure , the FCD is more of a post loading case sizer IMHO as their blurb states "for ammo that must fit " , so if your loads fit now then no sir it's not needed

I agree wholeheartedly!! The Lee FCD is NOT needed

Doc

[FitOrBust]

The pellets would be pressed together, and final-fit behind a standard crimp. Total bullet weight might approach but not exceed a standard .45C single bullet. Powder-tables will be closely followed. Using copper-flashed steel-cases from Silver Bear. Any thoughts? Advice? FitO.

[fryboy]

other than stating to use steel cases at your own risk no sir , well the standard start small and work safely up also applies

[versifier]

I believe you'll find those steel cases have Berdan primers (two flash holes) and are not designed to be reloaded even with the correct tools.