Reloading: Sidewall denting/deforming?

[Qwigs]

I am reloading some 44mag. I am using a RCBS turret press and RCBS carbide dies. I have successfully reloaded a few 44 mag in the past with no issues, however, the last batch of 50 I did I was getting a deformation or a crease/dent on the sidewall of the brass when I was seating the bullet on about half of the cartridges I was processing.
What could be causing this?
The bullets are seated nicely with a good crimp and the OAL is perfect.

I tried lubing a few cases but it didn't help. It is my understanding the carbide dies allow you to skip the lube step.

Could it be bad or old brass that maybe has become weak from being reloaded a few times already? All my brass is mixed up so there could be stuff in there that has never been reloaded alongside stuff that has been reloaded 3 or 4 times.

Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.

[tujungatoes]

How bout some pics?

[Qwigs]

How bout some pics?

I can't take a pic until I get home tonight.

They are basically getting a single crease crossways about half way down the brass. Kind of like crushing a beer can.

Sort of looks like this but with just a single crease (sorry for the silly picture):

[tujungatoes]

hmm...havent experienced that one myself. my initial thought would be that you might not have enough flare on the casemouth, and perhaps the bullet is catching, and crushing the case wall.

[Chaingun]

I have seen dents from a piece of walnut media stuck in a die, but what you're seeing sounds different.

Check the OAL of the brass and make sure it's not too long. This would cause it.

Verify the powder dispenser stage is properly set for the brass. If it's set too low, it could cause the case bending.

Hope this helps

[uscbigdawg]

Make sure your dies are clean.

Rich

[pisarski]

make sure that the shell holder is centered to the die or it will bend the case

[GeoffLinder]

If you are trying to crimp in the seating die this can happen. As mentioned earlier maybe you need more case mouth flaring to allow the bullet to enter the case cleanly instead of binding.

[Stryfe76]

Do you have alot of carbon in the case that the bullets could be catching on while seating?

[bruce381]

too much crimp back it off or crimp seperatly from the seating die.

[Chief-7700]

Another guess.
The seating die could be loose.

[Munk]

If you are trying to crimp in the seating die this can happen. As mentioned earlier maybe you need more case mouth flaring to allow the bullet to enter the case cleanly instead of binding.

This here.

Had this happen with .44 mag myself. Was experimenting for some of my earliest reloads. Found that if you don't flare quite enough, the bullet "grips" the case already, and crushes it down as you continue to seat.

Solutions: a bit more flare, lube the bullets, get a mica case lubing/brush set.

Just a slight bit more flare to test. If that fails, and you're already using slightly boattailed, or lubed bullets, then bust out the dry-lube kit. Since mica is dry and non-burning, it will have zero impact on the primer or the burn rate. You still want as little as possible, but it might help.

These friction issues may also be a result of carbon crudding as mentioned before... usually a hearty round through the tumbler takes care of this, which is why I didn't bring it up. If you're getting more than the tumbler can remove... it's time to change powders.


P.s. almost forgot: You may want to try getting a separate seating and crimping die. Use your existing die to seat only, just back it way off, and push the seating rod farther down, keeps the crimp from ever coming into play. then get yourself a Lee Factory Crimp die, or some other goodness.

[bubbapug1]

Are the bullets within spec? sounds like it could be a friction issue stated in the above post. I have had this happen with 44 mag due to the longish bearing surface and also with 50 bmg. I'd also clean the cases to insure the inside is a bit cleaner than normal. Use a 44 mag barrel brush, and just push it in an give it a quick twist. You may also have the crimper set too far down, and the crimp tightens before the bullet is far enough down, the seater keeps pushing, and you deform the brass. There is no reason to really crimp 44 mag that tighly, it will stay in the case all by itself 99.999% of the time. A slight amount of lube on the bottom of the bullet may also help, but thats a last resort. Try the other items first.

What bullet are you using and what is its measured OD?

[bumpo628]

If they're hard cast lead bullets, then you might need to get a sizer to get them down into spec. Lead should be .430", FMJ should be .429".

Lee Lube and Size Kit 430 Diameter

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=333470

[bohoki]

give your seating die 1/4 turn up and your seating spud 1 turn down