NEED HELP WITH 44 MAG LOADING

[ricknadine1111]

I am having a problem with loading my 44 mag for my revolver.
The problem is that the case is wrinkling when I try to seat the bullet. The equipment is all Redding such as the turrent hand loader and the redding titanium carbide 44 special/ 44 mag reloading die set.
I have reloaded my 45LC and 45ACP with no problem with this equipment.
Do you think I need the Redding 44mag die set instead of the Redding 44 special/ 44 mag die set? they are different part numbers so perhaps they are different tolarances.

[cali-man]

It sounds like you are seating and crimping at the same time. Try doing this in two steps. I use the seating/crimp die just to seat the bullets and use my Lee FCD die for crimping. I always use a tight crimp to insure that I get no bullet setback when shooting max loads in the Desert Eagle. I think what is happening is that the die is trying to crimp the bullet before it gets seated all the way into the case. You may have to adjust your dies for this.

You can use the same dies for both 44spcl/44mag.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I think you might not be expanding enough. It's a fine line between over expanding and under expanding but it needs to be just right. I must have krinkled about 20 38spc cases prior to dialing my dies in. I still have an occasional "oops" even to this day...

[ricknadine1111]

OK I got it, I adjusted the die up more in the turrent and tightened the lock ring now the case doesent wrinkle, I guess I was smashing the case when I was seating the bullet, Thanks

[Cowboy T]

I use Lee .44 Spl dies for both .44 Spl and .44 Mag cases with no problem. Same for using my .38 Spl dies for both .38 Spl and .357M.

It's the same basic process with anybody's dies. As CEDaytonaRyder pointed out, proper flare does matter. With cast boolits, you'll get shaving, but with jacketed like what you're using, the copper might be hard enough to cause this bending. See if you can adjust your dies for just a bit more flare.

When I'm loading progressively, I crimp and seat in the same step. There's a method for adjusting your die to do this perfectly, and it works every time. This weekend, if my cameralady has some time, the plan is to do a video on how to adjust handgun dies.

[buffybuster]

Way Too much crimp.....

[Cowboy T]

Way Too much crimp.....

Agreed. Matter of fact, after a second look at the example round, here's another possibility. He may have the crimp adjusted so tightly that the crimp starts too soon, and he's already crimped good 'n' tight before the seating process has completed. That could cause the case buckling that we're seeing here.

Now I'm *definitely* making that video series. Just heard back from my cameralady, and she says it's a go for this weekend for filming.

[dstewart]

Agreed. Matter of fact, after a second look at the example round, here's another possibility. He may have the crimp adjusted so tightly that the crimp starts too soon, and he's already crimped good 'n' tight before the seating process has completed. That could cause the case buckling that we're seeing here...

Exactly what I see.

You dont need a heavy roll crimp like your shooting a full power 454 Casull. Try to adjust the crimp to just fold over the lip of the mouth slightly. Not much, just enough that you see it doesn't look like a straight wall.

[Southpaw45]

It sounds like you are seating and crimping at the same time. Try doing this in two steps. I use the seating/crimp die just to seat the bullets and use my Lee FCD die for crimping. I always use a tight crimp to insure that I get no bullet setback when shooting max loads in the Desert Eagle. I think what is happening is that the die is trying to crimp the bullet before it gets seated all the way into the case. You may have to adjust your dies for this.

You can use the same dies for both 44spcl/44mag.

This is the correct answer. Get yourself a Lee factory crimp die. Seperate your bullet seating from your crimping and your problem is solved.....

[sequoia_nomad]

+1 for too much crimp. I always recommend comparing your loaded round to a similar factory load that works well for you to compare these things while setting up dies. This is the best way I have found to visually check my crimp.

[Cowboy T]

This is the correct answer. Get yourself a Lee factory crimp die. Seperate your bullet seating from your crimping and your problem is solved.....

Not necessarily. You can still put way too much crimp on a round even if you seat and crimp in separate operations. Yep, even with a Lee FCD (I know, I've done it). The really right answer is to properly adjust the die(s), no matter which method one uses.

Filming on exactly this subject will commence tomorrow afternoon. The completed video should be processed and up a few days after that.