Bullet seating die or factory crimp die?

[flattail]

For the first time, I am about to load some 45-70 rounds where I can crimp into the crimping groove.  Is it better to crimp into the crimping groove with the bullet seating die or with the Lee factory crimp die, or does it not really matter which one I use?

Thank you in advance.

flattail

[wncchester]

I go with the Lee FCD, everytime. 

The crimping ring in our seaters is, in my opinon, a weak attempt to allow us to crimp at all.  The FCD on the other hand is made to do that one job and do it well.  And the case lengths don't have to be identical for it to work well.  But it does HELP for the lengths to be the same!   

[flattail]

Thank you.

flattail

[BigJakeJ1s]

It depends... on how well your seater die crimps. Some do it well, some don't. If the FCD is a collet type crimper (i.e. for rifle and bottleneck pistol cartridges), it can generally put down a heavier and more consistent crimp than a seater die can.

OTOH, in my own experience with the Hornady seating die and the Lee Carbide FCD for 45 colt, the Hornady seater wins hands down.

Andy

[Tn Jim]

I use the Lee FCD for 223, 45-70 and 45 acp. I won't load without them.