Lee Factory Crimp revisited

[Marshal Deadwood]

I use a Lee Factory Crimp a lot on .45 Colt,,but I've always still trimmed cases to correct OCL. The instructions says that is not necessary. What,,makes it not necessary to have correct trim length ? Doesn't the case still expand,,and wouldn't a case be hazardous if too long anyways ?

Deadwood

[Grapeshot]

I also use a LFC Die and wonder about the logic behind that thought.  I still trim my cases to the correct OAL and the die does its part by folding the crimp into the crimp groove. 

When I did not trim my cases, especially the .44 WCF ones, the FCD wouldn't always get the crimp in the groove.  So regardless of the case, I trim after several reloadings to make every round consistant.

[Jefro]

Howdy Marshall, I don't know of anyone that trims the cases for CAS, it's just not needed. If the case is a little long it's still gonna crimp just fine, some bullets don't even have crimp grooves. The Lee factory crimp will iron out any bulge. I quite use the Lee factory crimp along time ago, now I use a Hornady seat/crimp die, works great. I do use the Lee factory taper crimp on the 45acp, makes for smooth feeding in the 1911. Good Luck


Jefro Relax-Enjoy

[rickk]

While I do use the LEE FC die, I like to get my crimp in the neighborhood of the crimp groove.

My system is that when I get new pistol brass, I load it as-is and do some target practice with it.

Then I clean it, resize it, bell the mouth, and trim it to suggested trim length.

Then I don't trim it any more. It's not going to grow much from there with CAS loads.

This makes up for any lot to lot variation in brass length at the factory.

Rick

[Delmonico]

While I do use the LEE FC die, I like to get my crimp in the neighborhood of the crimp groove.

My system is that when I get new pistol brass, I load it as-is and do some target practice with it.

Then I clean it, resize it, bell the mouth, and trim it to suggested trim length.

Then I don't trim it any more. It's not going to grow much from there with CAS loads.

This makes up for any lot to lot variation in brass length at the factory.

Rick

That's what I do with all pistol brass.

[cpt dan blodgett]

The 44 WCF aka 44-40 and cousin 38-40 are somewhat of a special case.  They are bottle necked cases.  If one resizes and pushes the shoulder back the brass has no where to go other than into the neck making the case grow necessitating trimming.
There are a couple of issues with too long of brass.  Slightly long brass may cause bulging of case when crimping occurs.  As previously stated the FCD die fixes that.  The other issue is that if the brass is too far into the chamber there may not be enough room for the brass to expand releasing the bullet, which can cause some pretty increased pressures.  This may not be much of a problem with a revolver as loading with a thumb one notices any unusual resistance.  With a rifle one has a certain amount of mechanical advantage so forcing too long of a shell into the chamber can be done more easily.

[Delmonico]

All good points, but this is something everyone would know if they had read a couple good reloading manuals.  Yep, I'm still on the do your homework first kick.

[HolliferADollar]

I use the Lee factory crimp dies for 44 Special & 45 Colt, & haven't trimmed any of my cases.  I tumble, inspect, then load in a RL550.  Mixed brands of brass, whether once fired, new, or reloaded 10+ times, crimp just fine.

[Virginia Gentleman]

I like using the Lee FCD on all my .45 ACP and .45 Auto-Rim loads.  Rarely do I need to use it on my .45 Colt loads.