.44M - Do You Use Expander?

[jwest]

CG'ers,

For those that reload .44M - do you use the expander or flaring die? I have had trouble getting proper sizing after using the expander die. (The expander 'flares' the brass for easier bullet seating for those that may be wondering.)

Thanks,
jwest

[sequoia_nomad]

I'm not following. How are you having sizing problems after expanding? You should be sizing, then expanding, then seating and crimping, which removes the bell.

[jwest]

Yep, did that and had a problem with final size.

[sequoia_nomad]

What exactly was the problem?

[FLIGHT762]

May have used too much flaring. Back it off a bit and just flare very slight. I had that problem with 41 mag. loads. After I set the flare very slight(just enough to get the bullet started in the case mouth), they loaded fine.

[jwest]

Yeah, think you are right.

[five.five-six]

yep. just barely flare enough so the bullet will sit in place for the seating die to do it's magic... the more you flare the shorter the brass's life

[jwest]

OK, thanks guys.

[ejor]

wo steps

Another problem that can happen is the crimp die bulges the case by over crimping while seating if you want a heavy crimp it is better to do it in two steps seating then crimping. The bulge can look like it was over expanded.

[vico512]

I just loaded up a few boxes for my S&W .44 Mag last night. I recommend giving the Lee Factory Crimp die a try -- it's inexpensive ($15 bucks at Midway), and, in addition to doing a much better job of crimping, also has a carbide resize insert to insure that the cartridge is at factory specs.

I use my seating die only to seat the bullet & remove the "belling" from the expansion.

I know it's one more step, but it fills the 4th hole in my Lee Classic Turret nicely, and the result is worth it, IMHO.

[ejor]

2nd the recommendation on the factory crimp die

[jwest]

For those that use Dillon, the expander die isn't needed due to the powder die from Dillon (for pistol) that has a built in expander. You adjust your powder die for the right amount of expansion (or belling) for your particular pistol round.