Crimping

[HeathSexton]

Guys, how are you all crimping your loads for the .44, with the seating die or with a seperate crimping die? If using the seater, how do you know what is the right crimp/good crimp? I usuallly use the Lee FCD but I got some new .430" bullets and it is sizing them down because there is a lot or resistence going into the crimp die, as much as resizing a case. It does not do it with the seater, but I am lost as to what a good crimp looks like with the seater.


Thanks!

 

[JD338]

I have both RCBS and Hornady dies in 44 Rem Mag. I use the seater die to give a nice rolled crimp into the cannelure of the bullet. I use the trial and error method until I get it right.

JD338

 

[1Shot]

I always seat my bullets first then back the seating stem out of the way and screw the die down with a round in the shell holder and the ram raised until it stops. Then I back the ram down and screw the die down a little at a time raising the ram up until I get the crimp that I want on the bullet. I then crimp all my loaded rounds. I get a better loaded round without the possibility of crushing or bulging some rounds this way.

 

[HeathSexton]

That is kind of how I have been doing it also, trial and error. I just got some 310gr WFNGC boolits and I have been struggling to find a good load. I have only tried 2400 and Unique and I have been struggling to find data for them. They are being fired in a 629 Mountain Gun so I am not looking for romp'em stomp'em loads, they get there fast with a 39oz .44 Mag. Anyone know any good Unique loads for the 310gr bullet? 2400 is dirty as can be with these because I am not laying on the throttle. I have seen Unique max out any where from 7.2-10.5grs with the 300-310gr bullets, that is a pretty big swing with Unique I think.

 

[JD338]

Heath,

Here is a link that may help.
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/defau ... pe=Handgun

Use caution with these loads and cross reference the data.
I have used Unique with 240 gr lead and it was really dirty.

JD338

 

[Richracer1]

Heath,

Here is a link that may help.
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/defau ... pe=Handgun

Use caution with these loads and cross reference the data.
I have used Unique with 240 gr lead and it was really dirty.

JD338

I agree about the dirtiness of Unique and will add that 2400 is just as bad.

 

[big rifle man]

I seat my .44's basically the same as posted. I do make sure the cases are all the same length so the same tension can be brought on the crimp. I seat the bullet then back off on the seater and adjust the crimp portion of the die.

 

[SJB358]

Heath, I ran into the same thing while loading mine. It is hard to tell what is too much? I just went ahead and ordered the Factory Crimp die. I will shoot mostly jacketed bullets, so hopefully it works well. Scotty

 

[big rifle man]

beretzs, I think you are going to find, over a period of time that as you crimp more and more you develop a feel as to what the proper tension is. The proper crimping comes through the repetitiveness. If your using bullets with a crimping groove and look at the angle of the brass in regards to the angle of the crimp groove you'll know when your near the ideal crimp angle. Hard to explain but "feel" plays an important part.

 

[SJB358]

Yeah, this is the first time I have crimped anything in a long time. I don't do any crimping to any of my rifle cartridges, but I think the Factory Crimp will make it is a little easier. I didn't have any issues with the couple cylinders I shot the other day, and I went a little heavier with this last batch. Hard telling. I know what you mean about the "feel".. Still kinda new to me. Scotty

 

[YoteSmoker]

beretz, what dies are you using? I ask because the RCBS carbide dies, which are what I use, come with everything needed to size, seat, and crimp.

 

[SJB358]

I am using some RCBS regular dies I bought way back when I started reloading. They put a decent crimp on my loads so far. Still experimenting a little with them. Haven't buckled a case yet. I do have a crimp and carbide die on the way though. Wished I had a range in the back yard to shoot some more. I have been dry firing the pistol a bit, just to get used to it. Scotty

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Heath, back in the day, 2400 was a pretty good powder for the .44 mag, but now we have more modern, better powders. W296, H110, and AA9, are 3 that come to mind. I'd suggest giving on of them a try.