Collet FCD Dies for Short Cartridges

[MikeM]

My .357 FCD came in today and I was able to answer my own question. It's cartridge specific and cannot be used to crimp 38 Special brass. Always learning something .....

Mike

[akuser47]

I use the lee .38special deluxe die set and can adjust it out for .357mag no problems

[mr surveyor]

I do both .38 spl and .357 mag with my Lee 4 die set

[Tuco Ramirez]

For anyone who purchased the deluxe die set you will have the carbide FCD. The Collet FCD is best explanided by Ironhead on the first page of this thread. For those rifles who may need to run an oversized bullet the carbided FCD will defeat what you are trying to do. You will need to purchase what I would call the Collet FCD.

Like RD stated earlier there are (3) seperate FCD dies.

The best way to keep track of which one your using is be specific.
1. Carbide FCD
2. Collet FCD ( can be purchased from factory only)
3. Bottle neck pistol FCD

Hopefully this is clear as mud....

[akuser47]

:(Yep my bad i hav been on phone mostly so tapatalk shows latest post i thought this was a general qeustion about the standard die sets i need to mod myself lol:-D

[Tuco Ramirez]

No need brother.... I plan on ordering the collet one direct from Lee this week if they still have them. Not that I really need it now, but I may in the future and can't find it than... After you understand what each one does its easy. For someone reloading jacketed rounds or even cast that is not oversized the carbide one that comes in the deluxe kit will do a fine job. Maybe after I get mine I will take some photos of each so folks can see what the difference is.

[mr surveyor]

For anyone who purchased the deluxe die set you will have the carbide FCD. The Collet FCD is best explanided by Ironhead on the first page of this thread. For those rifles who may need to run an oversized bullet the carbided FCD will defeat what you are trying to do. You will need to purchase what I would call the Collet FCD.

Like RD stated earlier there are (3) seperate FCD dies.

The best way to keep track of which one your using is be specific.
1. Carbide FCD
2. Collet FCD ( can be purchased from factory only)
3. Bottle neck pistol FCD

Hopefully this is clear as mud....

Now, I too understand what you're saying. If I didn't have the carbide FCDs and familiarity with the way they work .... and one collet type die (.30-30) ... I really wouldn't have a clue what the differences are.

I've been pretty fortunate in that my .38-.357 barrels all do well with .358 cast, and my (2) .44 barrels do well with .430's .... neither of which are affected by the carbide dies. I do understand how those that need the oversized bullets would need the collet die, just glad I'm not in that group.