Need help with 357sig Lee FCD

[jcmios]

I need some help setting my Lee FCD. I have been using a Dillon taper crimp die on my 650 for years with only one problem. When using Rainer plated 124grs bullets they shoot all over the place out of my Glock 32, but no problems out of my Sig 229 and 239. So I figured the Lee FCD would be the answer, but I get the same results with light and heavy crimps, but when I load Gold Dots or Hornady XTP's all is good. Even when I load lead they are accurate out of all three guns, but the Rainer’s are not at all accurate in my G32. I load close to max with an OAL of 1.135 to 1.40.

Any help would be appreciated as I can't afford to shoot Gold Dots and XTP bullets for practice.

Jim

[357glocker]

That is strange. I use the same things you are using, LFCD, 124gr Ranier FP's, and a max load of H Longshot. They shoot great in my G31. I have problems with the ranier 147HP. Have you tried a "medium" crimp? I make mine fairly tight, but not enough where you can "feel" the bullet crush a little.

[jcmios]

When you adjust your die do you use the top knob or do you raise and lower the entire die assembly? I have tried it both ways with not much luck.

Thanks
Jim

[357glocker]

Hmmm, It's been quite a while since I set it up, but IIRC I used the top knob for the fine adjustments. I am still using the Lee Handpress for all my loading (3000+ rnds 357sig, 2500+rnd 45acp, 1500rnds 357mag, and about a 1000rnds combined between 7mag,30-30, .223and 500SW) the point being I can really feel what's going on inside the dies a little better than when I loaded on my buddies single stage. I'd play with it a little bit, the funny thing is I haven't found the need to readjust mine even though I load two different bullets/weights and have a large mixture of brass with different brands and resized 40sw tossed in there. Can you see the case mouth "digging" into the plating of the bullet after you've crimped? I'm not sure why you're having the problems you are, but maybe your G32 just doesn't like those bullets????

[jcmios]

That’s what I am thinking; the gun does not like the bullets as I am not compressing the bullet. No ring or any measurable or visual ring where the crimp is applies as I did have with the taper crimp die. I will try a few other settings, if that does not work I will look for another inexpensive practice bullet.

Thanks for your help.

Jim

[357glocker]

Another option for a bullet is the Remington 147grn HP. It's not quite as cheap as the raniers but they are by no means expensive at 132 dollars for 2000 of them. I get just over 1250fps with them. Good luck