[7point62]

I think it might be. Been loading 9mm for a while, reliable and accurate loads were easy in my CZs and SIG. Then I got this Prodigy.

loading on a 750 I have tried everything I could think of to get a reliable cycling round for the prodigy. No luck, and factory blazer brass ran fine.

Bought a FCD, and it now runs my reloads 100%. I don’t think it is the crimp, but the sizing ring in the FCD That fixed my problem.

Probably a tight chamber in the prodigy, but it was checked by a smith and he didn’t think it Needed reaming.

 

[Old Grumpy]

There are fans and haters of the FCD. I use them in most of the calibers I load. They work fine for me. Some complain the die may be resizing the bullet. I guess my bullets are all the appropriate size and didn't get resized. So, I guess I'm a fan.

Grumpy

 

[7point62]

There are fans and haters of the FCD. I use them in most of the calibers I load. They work fine for me. Some complain the die may be resizing the bullet. I guess my bullets are all the appropriate size and didn't get resized. So, I guess I'm a fan.

Grumpy

I had read that, so when I was setting up the FCD I pulled the bullets of a couple completed rounds. No resized bullet according to my calipers.

9mm has the slight taper, so the sizing ring only really hits the lower half of the case.

 

[flechero]

I have tried everything I could think of to get a reliable cycling round for the prodigy. No luck, and factory blazer brass ran fine.

If the gun is reliable with factory ammo then you have an issue with some aspect of your loads. (even if your other guns run on it) You can measure [and find] the difference in your ammo vs factory. While the FCD may iron out your issues, I would prefer to find out whats wrong before "fixing" it with a post sizer. (as that can cause other side effects)

Paint a couple of your original reloads and a couple factory rounds with a sharpie or dry erase marker and then run them through the FCD and see where they get sized. compare them with unsized (in fcd) ammo and find the differences.

There are fans and haters of the FCD.

Being able to identify an issue and correct it in stations 1-3 vs post sizing it in station 4 doesn't make one a hater... and trying to help others correct their issues is not being a hater. I think it makes one a methodical and careful loader who takes the steps to make sure their ammo is made to spec, from top to bottom.

I have no problems with people using and liking the FCD... if you like it, stick with it.

 

[longarm]

Regardless the dies/caliber, it gets a lee crimp. I just wish they'd not call it "FCD", because apparently the TYPE varies by the cartridge anyway.

 

[Kent Dorfman]

I am in the "not a fan" camp.

 

[Paxson]

If you "need" a Lee FCD then there's a problem somewhere else.

 

[longarm]

The only thing more entertaining than Lee FCD hate is - liberal tears in my coffee.

 

[yeti]

Ah the FCD. Some folks just get apoplectic when you mention using the sacrilegious FCD.

I load coated in multiple calibers on a progressive with mixed brass and have yet to have an issue with resizing during the crimp operation. FCD's have been especially helpful with 9mm and 40 S&W and reduced the case gauge failure rates by a few per 200. I don't shoot BE. I like USPSA, 3Gun and occasionally if I'm in the mood to watch folks argue... IDPA.
The carbide ring at the bottom of all my FCD work fine with the bullets I load...even with mixed range brass.
That being said, if any of my barrels required seriously oversized bullets I would not use a FCD for that load.

Just test to make sure there are no issues before you crank out 500rds.

 

[7point62]

I knew this would happen lol.

A 2011 pattern is a different thing from my usual guns.
Everything has to be right for reliability.
I have spent days adjusting/cleaning/checking and test firing . Multiple different dies.

When I revisit these 125 gr SWC, with the FCD, if it still shoots like this at 20 yards I will be a full convert to the FCD mafia.

 

[7point62]

Looks like you guys got a bonus pic. It is so beautiful I won’t edit.

 

[longarm]

FCD works fine - nice steak ;-)

 

[flechero]

I knew this would happen lol.

What? That you asked if the fcd was the cats butt and you got differing answers? Ask anything on a forum and you will probably get differing answers. ...lol

I too think the fcd is a cat's butt... but unlike some, I don't use that as a positive description. 😅

 

[7point62]

What? That you asked if the fcd was the cats butt and you got differing answers? Ask anything on a forum and you will probably get differing answers. ...lol

I too think the fcd is a cat's butt... but unlike some, I don't use that as a positive description. 😅

Think as you like. I knew this would be controversial at best. It works for me, and I see no downside. Upside is I still have a buttload of 2 cent primers, AR has dirt cheap 115 gr FMJ and I have plenty of powder....and a new favorite pistol. These things are amazing.

 

[flechero]

I wasn't trying to start a debate or knock your system. And I thought the laughing emoji was pretty clear I was making a joke at the end.

As to my first post- it's correct. If you wanted to trace down the issue you could. If it's easier to run everything through a fcd, go for it. We all have our own preferences.

 

[mkk41]

I've been making metal chips up thru the ranks as an apprentice machinist to a first class toolmaker, and I've been shooting and reloading just as long. About 45yrs now. I'm a very hard critic of Lee reloading equpiment. Excellent ideas and designs for the most part. And I understand the economical reasons for their popularity. After all, reloading is about saving money.
But I can't abide tools made from cheap materials like Zamac (zinc-alloy) castings, low quality steel, and plastic. A Hi-Point might be as accurate and reliable as a 50s~60s Colt Gold Cup, or any all-steel autoloader out there costing 5x~10x more, but I'd never own one.

I've noticed when someone asks the forum about recommendations for a decent digital or dial caliper, many members are quick to eschew any imported caliper under a certain price range and are quick suggest one costing $100 or more like a supposedly American-made Starrett or Swiss-made Brown & Sharpe (Tesa).

A year or so ago, had to replace my made in China VINCA 0-6in digital caliper that cost $25 on Amazon. I used it daily for 5yrs and only had to replace it because someone accidently spilled some acetone on it. My company replaced it with a $145 Starrett. Which was also MADE IN CHINA!. It's a POS compared to the $25 Vinca!!! Yes, I bought another 0-6 Vinca out of my pocket, and a 0-12 to boot!

 

[7point62]

I’ll agree the Lee die looks and feels cheap. On that note, if Lee can source carbide, why can’t Dillon? I’m forever back ordered on a Dillon set for this.

 

[RickB]

I use a gutted .45 ACP FCD as a push-through case resizing die.
It works great for that.

 

[mkk41]

I’ll agree the Lee die looks and feels cheap. On that note, if Lee can source carbide, why can’t Dillon? I’m forever back ordered on a Dillon set for this.

There are various grades of carbide, but there is no shortage AFAIK. Only a shortage of time! We go thru lots of carbide at work.

CARBIDE PRODUCTS, INC. (carbidepros.com)

Redding uses Titanium Carbide and one pull of a case thru one of their dies and you will feel the difference!

Titanium carbide - Wikipedia

 

[markm]

I had a similar experience with one of my Prodigy's but it worked fine with my reloads and Blaser Brass but would choke on S&B. I took pin gages and calipers and measured the chamber, it was at bare minimum SAAMI. I finished reamed it and it's fine now. My reloads were probably fine since I rollsize all my brass so there isn't any bulge for the afterthought of that die.