For those who regularly reload for lever action rifle cartridges, the LEE Factory Crimp Dies are the
best bet as a final step.
Tubular magazines are tough on loaded cartridges sitting in the magazine under spring pressure.

Some cartridges need a sure-fire crimp that really holds the bullet. I started with a FCD for the 348 WCF, then 45-70, 33 WCF, and even the 450 Alaskan wildcat. The Lee engineers came through and the heavy recoiling 450 Alaskan was tamed as to hand loaded cartridges.
Try it-you won't be sorry, as they still are reasonable and work as advertised. A pleasant surprise.

I use the Lee Factory Crimp die on my 375 H&H. It's improved consistency in velocity and accuracy.

I've got an FCD for the .45-70 and it seems to work OK. I needed it for that calibre because my Winoku '86 seemed to have no throat and crimping on the cannelure of the Woodleigh 405-grainers left the bullet touching the rifling.

The cases from Hornady Leverevolution carts were OK, though as they were about 1.5mm shorter than expected. My final answer, though, was to have the 'throat' extended about 5mm, since when I can load to almost .45-90 COL.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
I use the Lee Factory Crimp die on my 375 H&H. It's improved consistency in velocity and accuracy.

Has been my experience with 100% of my loads.

I use them for pretty much all of the cartridges I reload for. As mentioned by Fjold, I have found they do improve the consistency of velocity and accuracy. I know did in the whole benchrest shooters who lightly crimp their cases, and they wouldn't bother with it if it wasn't providing a tangible improvement.

I also shoot more cartridges that fall into the heavy recoil category than not. I like to avoid my COL changing on its own when cartridges in the magazine hit the front of it during recoil.

I'm fond of the "taper crimp dies" that are now hard to come by for big bore rifles and only available for pistols these days except on special order...How do they compare to Lee Factory crimp dies? I have some of both I believe, but seldom used crimping except for pistols and double rifles.

I only use a FCD die for one cartridge - a .375 HH. My rifle feeds much smoother when the loaded round is crimped.