I just received my new dies from Lee and a factory crimp as well. I ordered some Starline brass and some Remington 405 grain FN bullets and I have a question.
I roughly checked the OAL of the case and top or front cannelure (roughly) by laying on a table and using my mic to check and the recommended OAL of 2.55in. falls on the recess line in front of the cannelure and was wondering about that and the fact that I'd rather not trim the new brass that much, the new brass mic's out at 2.10inches and with the bullet laying along side at the front cannelure it would mic out at about 2.65inches an a close crimp at the front. Does anyone have any advise. Thanks, Johnny Reb

Johnny Reb:

It sounds crazy but it works. The correct overall cartridge length for the Marlin 1895 is about 2.5 +-. The Remington bullet at this length
will not crimp in the cannelure of the bullet. When you use the Lee factory crimp die don't worry about the cannelure. It sounds crazy, but it works fine.

I have used the Lee FCD on several cartridges and bullets. There has never been an issue with bullet canelure in any of them. The FCD put a good crimp on any bullet I've used, canelure or not. yes, that includes a Marlin 1895 in 45-70. I shoot 400 gr. Jacketed loaded to make some "real tough guys" cry.