OT- Lee Pistol: 3 vs 4 die sets

[Andrew]

I have a Lee carbide 4 die pistol set in .45LC for my Ruger Blackhawk and really like them. The adjustments are a snap and the work really smooth and easy. I will be getting into the .380acp loading soon and wanted a set for the that cartridge but they do not offer it. They do have a 3 die set and somewhere in the description it talks about a "tapered crimp" but I am not real clear on if I would need to get another FCD for it or if they combine the bullet seater with a different type of crimping method?

Any of you guys have those 3 die sets and could elaborate a bit?

[AJMD429]

All I know is that for .44 Magnum, I got the FCD-4-die set, and wound up replacing the FCD with a .44-40 FCD (that I hand-filed just about 0.01" off of the base) because it gives a true fingered-collet crimp like the 'rifle' dies, vs. the sliding-collet crimp they use on 'pistol' calibers, which they consider the .44 Mag. I just couldn't get good crimps with the 'pistol' FCD they supply for .44 Mag (using Rem 240gr JSP's). I know that is tangential to your question, but thought it might be useful info if you're deciding on dies.

[Buffboy]

For an auto pistol cartridge, I don't think there's any need for a crimp die other than the one in the seating die. Neck tension is what holds the bullet. You are just taking the bell of the case out of the case when you crimp in ACP cartridges. Then, there are reloaders that swear by them(and other brands of taper crimp dies) on the auto pistol forums and I've never used one, so I don't know for sure. I do know that I've never needed one for any of the auto pistol cartridges I've loaded for.

[Hobie]

Buffboy is correct, the taper crimp is what you need for proper headspacing of the .380 cartridge. That case mouth has to be there for that.

I would like to caution against a blind, compulsive adherence to a single handloading technique. One must be adaptable.

[alnitak]

I've only beed reloading for 6-7 years, so I'm not the expert many on the forum are in this area, however, I have been very pleased with the 4-die sets for pistol cartridges and really like the FCD. I use it on 9mm, .38/.357 and .44spl/mag. I've never had a feeding problem, my reloads are accurate, no buckled or rolled case mouths, and the FCD minimizes the need to case trim every time I reload (I generally just trim the longer .357 and .44 mag cases every other or third reload).

I can't talk to the merits of rolled vs. taper crimp. All I know is that a medium to med-hard crimp with my FCD, whether using lead bullets or Berry's Plated, gives me reliable, accurate ammo. So, I'm going to stick with what's been working for me ...the FCD.

[mikld]

As for the Factory crimp die; I don't use it. I have one for my .44 mag. but I believe it sizes the bullet down too much while crimping. I need a .432" bullet for my Puma, and the Lee die sizes as it crimps, giving me an undersized bullet (about .430").

[Arminius]

And now for some dumb or curious comment:

in 9 mm Parabellum ( Luger for u Americans ) I use the FACTORY Carbide crimp die, set to not crimp, to check the loaded rounds and just to "be sure".

I use a carefully set Hornady Taper crimp die to slightly apply a crimp, practically only shoving the bell of the case mouth back ...

It works ...

Hermann

P.S.: i do not load for smallish and cheap rounds like the 9 mm, as much as it´s my "fighting choice", anymore.

I reload only for .44 Mag, .44-40 ( starting ), .45 ACP, .45 -70 ( starting ), ... I´ll even skip reloading for the .357 ...

[Leverdude]

As for the Factory crimp die; I don't use it. I have one for my .44 mag. but I believe it sizes the bullet down too much while crimping. I need a .432" bullet for my Puma, and the Lee die sizes as it crimps, giving me an undersized bullet (about .430").

+1.
I dont use any of their pistol crimp dies anymore. I would if they didn't have the sizer ring but would still preffer the rifle type. I use my 44/40 LFC die on my 44 mags when I want a real good crimp.
Had some bullets got sized down so much they were loose in the brass which bounced back more than the lead bullet. The crimp still held the canalure but you could spin the bullet in your fingers.

[Andrew]

Thanks for the help guys. I figured it was something like that. I keep forgetting that the auto tend to headspace off the case instead of the rim. I will be fine with the 3 die set then.

[Ysabel Kid]

Yep, everyone pegged it. For the .380, or any other straight-walled handgun round designed primarily for semi-auto guns, the taper-crimp die that comes with the three-die set is all you really need.

Here you go:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=980287

I'd also consider getting one of these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=969567

And one of these...

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/conten ... Case_Gages

Good luck Andrew!