DougBarnes101 Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 I have searched and read the posts about both of these dies but I would like to hear from people that have used both of them and which they prefer. Currently I am shooting a Les Baer TRS in 45 ACP. Baer is known for his chambers being tight. Recently I have begun having problems with the gun going completely into battery. Sometime I can take my thumb and push the slide home and other times I can't and have to eject the round. This can sure play havoc with your times. I was previously shooting these same reloads in a Colt Series 80 and had no problems. I use a Dillon Case Gage and check every round. I really don't want to ream the chamber until I have exhausted every other possibilty. I have seen the posts about the U-Die and the Lee FCD making a 650 run like sh*t but others don't seem to have this problem. At this point I am looking for any and all information. I am thanking everyone in advance for their help. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameron Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 Doug, My understanding is the U die is a repackaged Lee FCD. I use the Lee die with no problem. Best $11.50 I have spent on reloading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtr Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 I used the EGW Undersize die and Lee FCD to load major 9 for awhile. The undersize die works well (just make sure you use one shot), the FCD makes the press real jerky because its so tight, so I quit using it, I now get my brass rollsized anyways. If you use both you'll have a lower percentage of rounds that don't chamber, however the difference is minimal in my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtypool40 Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 I use an EGW U die and love it. It did make the press clunky because the powder drop kept grabbing the undersized brass. The solution was offered by Blackbird / Matt. I chucked up the powder drop and lightly polished it. Press runs as smooth as before and produces undersized brass / ammo now. try it before you open up that Baer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bberkley Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 I use both for loading .40, and just the Lee FCD for 9mm and .45 ACP. I need to either do what dirtypool40 did, or use case lube for the .40s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dunn Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 The U die and FCP die are two different things. One is a sizing die (first station), one is a crimp die (last station). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mistral404 Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 I shoot two tight chambered S_Is in .40. Before the Lee FCD they would jam frequently, even at 1.2. Purchased the Lee. I have not had a problem since! The Lee works for me. I have not tried the EGW die so I can not speak to it. Most of my friends are using Lee. A great investment. I purchased mine for Lee, he protects is retail customers so I paid retail. Midway has a good price on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Larry Cazes Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 As a sanity check, I would suggest that you reload a couple of hundred rounds and then use the chamber from your TRS as a gauge to be sure that the ammo is at fault. There can be lots of reasons that a gun doesn't go into battery completely, and oversize ammo/undersized chambers is just one of them. Baer is known for building an overly tight gun that could contribute greatly to this issue. I use the EGW U die for loading .40SW but have never had casehead expansion in .45acp that caused me to use it for that caliber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougBarnes101 Posted December 16, 2004 Author Share Posted December 16, 2004 Thanks to everyone for the response. I will probably ask Santa for the Lee FCD. If he forgets I will go ahead and order one. And Larry I will take your advise and check and shoot a couple of hundred rounds before starting into major reloading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackdragon Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 I'm going to jump on the other side of the fence, Ream that chamber and be done with it! Then you can shoot every thing! Ivan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Run n Gun Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 I have seen the posts about the U-Die and the Lee FCD making a 650 run like sh*t but others don't seem to have this problem. Doug, I use a FCD (love it, I threw the case gauge away!) loading 45 on a 650 and it runs fine. I left the Dillon crimp die in place (backed it off a little) and added the FCD in the last slot. It's kind of spreading out the load of crimping (progressive crimping?) so both dies are working less... there is no "clunkiness". Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Just want to make sure: The EGW 'U' die and the Lee 'U' Die are the same thing (right?), it's just that EGW is about the only shop that sells it, without calling Lee directly. I use the 'U' die, works very good. The Lee FCD I use in a stand-alone toolhead (on a 550), to run those rounds through that wouldn't gauge coming off the 1050. Which seems to be happening after changing to MG's from West Coasts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWLAZS Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Yep they are the same. Mine came from EGW in a lee box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwell Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Yep they are the same. Mine came from EGW in a lee box. Mine Too. Received it last week. Can't wait to try it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harmon Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 my 45 didnt like lead bullets(especially the real cheap ones that might be slightly out-of round, i had problems with the gun returning to battery, then purchased the lee FCD...not a single malfunction in over 12000 rounds. now with a 40, i wouldnt have one, especially if you shoot jacketed bullets...and good brass. the U die is what the doc orders there..with a .40 most of the time the lee FCD die doesnt even touch the brass(except for the crimp) although i use a RCBS 10mm size die made in the early 90s, it is tighter than most 40 dies i have seen, especially dillon. for the 45, i believe the answer is the FCD, for the 40, its the U die..although you could use both in either and not have any trouble(except tennis elbow) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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