OK, now I'm confused about Lee FCD's. Long post follows so you can help me sort this out.
I poked around on Lee's web site. Here's a link to a page that seems the most informative:
Lee Crimp Die Page.
NOTE: There are two different types of FCD.
[1]
There's the usual collet type, which some of us have purchased in the 45-70 version and modified. We know pretty well how it works. I've got others of these on my shelves for various bottleneck rifle cartridges.
[2]
Further down the page, there's listed a "Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die" for Handgun Ammunition. This FCD is not of the collet type. For 45 caliber cartridges, it comes in two flavors: Catalog #90864 is listed for the 45 ACP, 45 Auto Rim, 45 Win Mag, 45 GAP, and the 45 Schofield. Catalog #90865 is listed for the 45 Colt, 45 Casull, and 455 Webley.
A question for HillBilly: Were you referring to this Carbide Factory Crimp Die in your first post, or to some other? If this one, could you describe how it works, please? I'm curious how it might differ from the operation of the taper crimp die that comes with the Hornady 450B die set.
Here's the blurb from the Lee catalog:
Lee Catalog wrote:For Handgun Ammunition That Must Work! Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die
A carbide sizer sizes the cartridge while it is being crimped so every round will positvely chamber freely with factory like dependability. The adjusting screw quickly and easily sets the desired amount of crimp. It is impossible to buckle the case as with a conventional bullet seating die. Trim length is not critical so this extra operation takes less time than it would if cases were trimmed and chamfered. Revolver dies roll crimp with no limit as to the amount. A perfect taper crimp is applied to auto-loader rounds. The crimper cannot be misadjusted to make a case mouth too small to properly head-space. A firm crimp is essential for dependable and accurate ammunition. It eliminates the problems of poor ignition of slow burning magnum powders.
I'll try to attach the Lee image of this Carbide Factory Crimp Die. If in fact it operates differently than the Hornady taper crimp die, it might be fun to try it on the 450 B. It doesn't seem to be length specific, and ##90864 seems to be appropriate for the 450B case.
Thanks.
--Bob