Lee Factory Crimp Die

[kogashuko]

I got a few of these for my 223, 308, and 9mm loads. From all the reviews I have read they are the best thing since sliced bread. Especially in 9mm since even with full length sizing dies once fired 9mm brass might not always feed into my 9mm barsto barrels (they need a second resize which you cant normally do after primed). I looked hoping that they would have one of these dies for 300whisper, labled as 300 fireball, or one of the other trade names. However, Lee does not. I have considered filing down a 308 factory crimp die and seeing how that works. Since I will have my upper on the way soon and have some pills set aside for some cases once I get them prepped, I hope to be up and running soon with whisper stuff.

Anyone done the Lee crimp die thing?

[JFettig]

They are a collet type die and a .308 might be too long to cut down, might cut into the slots. A 7.62x39 die might work best, it only needs about .2" off of the bottom. I think that just might work. I've looked at my .223 die and it has about that much materal on the bottom.

I don't think you'd be able to successfully take .2" off of the bottom with a file(and thats not an exact dim) You'd have to use a lathe.
I have not yet gotten my dies and everything yet I bet with properly trimmed brass you wouldn't need a FCD, you could crimp with the seater die.

Jon

[pug]

The Lee 30M1 Carbine factory crimp die put me close enough to work with. Like all dies they are ground for a specific case length and since 300/221 brass varies in length somewhat you will have to fiddle with it and maybe even use a shim on top the shell holder around the case (makes the crimp higher up the neck).

[redtazdog]

I hear the 3030 crimp die works

[kogashuko]

I read where lee will do custom dies for $25... Maybe I will go that route.

[3006mv]

A .300-221/300 Fireball Factory Crimp Die would have to be a Custom order. The collet-type Factory crimp die can be made for a wide variety of cartridges. Most rifle cartridges will fit into the 7/8-14 thread die body. If your cartridge falls within the following parameters it will fit into our standard 7/8-14 die;
Bullet diameter .177 - .501 (minimum - maximum)
Body diameter .295 - .580
Case length 1.345 - 3.400
(all dimensions in inches)
Cartridges over the maximum in any of the three parameters will probably fit into the large-series dies. These have a 1 1/4-12 thread, so your press must be capable of accepting this thread size. To place an order, send payment of $25 for a 7/8-14 series die, or $50 for a 1 1/4-12 series die, plus $4 for shipping and handling, and a dummy cartridge (a bullet seated in an empty case). The dummy cartridge is for testing purposes, so please make sure it is within normal dimensional tolerances.

Custom Carbide Factory Crimp Dies for handgun cartridges can be made for most handgun cartridges that are not in regular stock. Cost is $30.00 plus $4 for shipping and handling. In most cases, a dummy cartridge is not necessary for Carbide Factory Crimp Dies. Sizes available run from 25 ACP sized cases up to the 480 Ruger. The 50 AE cannot be made because the carbide ring necessary for this cartridge is too large for our manufacturing process.

Our address is:

Lee Precision, Inc.
4275 Highway "U"
Hartford, WI 53027

Thank You,
Lee Precision

[snaz567]

This may be a foolish idea, but I wonder if they couldn't make one like the carbide handgun LFCD and maybe eliminate the need to use a small base 223 die w/some brass?

[3006mv]

Hmmm I used the 30 M1 Lee FCD and it puts too wide of a band crimp on it. I re read some posts and yeah by putting a washer over the case; it adds distance between the shell holder top and the bottom of the die that reduces the band by over 1/2 which just about makes it right. about 0.032"