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First post factory crimp vs taper dies

5K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  Charles De 
#1 ·
I am trying to purchase a set of .40 S&W reloading dies as a gift to my son. I see two different types when I look online factory crimp or taper crimp. Can anyone explain to me the difference? Any recommendation as to where to purchase and any particular brand. Thanks
 
#2 · (Edited)
A taper crimp is what you want to use. Lee will call theirs a "factory crimp die" but it is nothing more than a taper crimp when in sets for semi-autos such as the .40 S&W and a roll crimp when in sets of dies for revolvers.

I have been very happy with my Hornady die sets and always buy a separate taper crimp die and perform the crimp as a separate step. I also like that if I mail them a check for $7 they send me 100 bullets.
 
#8 ·
The Lee FCD is not just a taper crimp die, it also resizes the brass (again) while crimping.
They may also swage lead bullets if you are loading those.
I have never used nor needed one, if you are not sure stick with a regular crimp die.
(note, the rifle FCD is a different animal and it only crimps)

What brand of dies is more of a personal matter, I had a Lee .308 FL die which did not size correctly so I don't buy Lee dies anymore. I really like my Redding dies but they are pretty pricey.
 
#9 ·
Charles De:

A standard die set for 40 S&W includes a combo seating/crimp die. That die seats the bullet and in the last part of the stroke of the press crimps the case mouth of the case. Because 40S&W and other semi-auto cartridges use the edge of the mouth of the case as a stop for inserting into the chamber (head spaces on the case mouth) they use a crimp that gently tapers into the bullet. Whereas revolver cartridges use a crimp that rolls the edge of the case mouth into a grove or reduced area in the body of the bullet. We never use roll crimps on guns that head space on the case mouth. Both of these crimps are done in the seating die but you can raise the seating die to disable the crimp function and use a separate die for just crimping. This reduces the frustration of setting up the combo seating/crimping die which some people have a lot of trouble with. The argument for a separate crimp die includes the fact that the bullet is moving into the case to be seated while the die is trying to crimp. I find it no problem but others disagree with me

Lee invented a separate function crimp die for rifles years ago that pushed the case to the bullet with a horizontal force, rather than a vertical one which when overdone can collapse the case walls. It mimicked the crimp factory ammo uses. When they offered a crimp die for taper/roll crimp handgun cartridges it was just a run of the mill separate crimper that worked exactly like the crimper in the combo die. LEE erroneously gave it the Factory Crimp Die (FCD) name but not the FCD functionality. It is bate and switch, in my opinion. They included a sizer at the bottom so that when a ham fisted reloaders over did the crimp and distorted the case body the die would straighten it out. If set up right the sizer in the FCD does nothing. The FCD die for rifles is a good thing whereas the FCD for handguns is absolutely NOT.

It is fine to buy a separate crimp die for handgun cartridges but not necessary and not necessary or desired in the case of the LEE FCD for handguns. RCBS and others make fine die sets and optional crimp dies. My advice (take it or leave it) is to not buy the LEE die set or the FCD. Buy anyone else's: RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, Redding, Forrester. I like RCBS for value and quality. LEE stuff lacks that later in almost all cases. I do use the rifle FCD because no one else offers a similar product because of the unique crimping action.

LDBennett
 
#10 · (Edited)
If you are only buying the "set" you will need the taper crimp set as others have mentioned. If you plan to buy a separate taper crimp die in addition, either set of 40 cal dies will work since you will not be crimping (only seating) with the seat/crimp die from the set.

Find out which brand of dies he uses/prefers and buy that brand.

My preference is Hornady or the more expensive Redding. If you go Hornady here is what I would get:

Taper crimp set only: 546534

Non Taper crimp set with separate taper crimp die: 546533 plus 044171

Both sets have 3 dies and each have a combo seated/crimp die. I prefer the second option and that's what I use because the seat/crimp die is much easier to set up and use.

Edit: LD posted while I was typing this. I agree with him on the Lee FCD. I had purchased one for my 40 cal and found it very difficult to adjust. The aluminum adjusting screw was so stiff I could not tell when the die touched the brass. I replaced it with the very simple and well made Hornady taper crimp die.
 
#12 ·
If you're looking at the Lee dies, the set with 4 dies comes with the extra FCD. You can set them all up to seat the bullet in the regular seat/crimp die but back the die body out so it doesn't crimp and then use the FCD to crimp with. If your son uses a single stage press, I see no advantage to the extra die. I'd just seat the bullet and then readjust the die for a crimp. If he shoots his 40's in a glock and gets the "glock bulge", he can use the FCD to remove it. You just take the top section out of the die and run the brass all the way through the die.
 
#13 ·
By the way, "where to purchase" is now mostly going to be at a local store due to time constraints. Amazon often carries die sets and are usually at a good prize, otherwise I frequent midwayusa.com. Depending on where you live you can go to a sporting goods store such as Sportsman's Warehouse, Bass Pro, Cabella's, etc.

A 3-die set of carbide dies will run you about $40-$50. Stay away from the $40 Redding set as it is not carbide and will require lubing of every case. If you decide to add a separate taper crimp die to the 3-die set then add about $22 for it. I have the Hornady 3-die set with combination seat-crimp die and had no trouble setting it up and using it so don't feel like you must also get him the crimp die as well, it is just a nice perk that some of us enjoy.
 
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