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View Full Version : .41 long Colt Crimper dies?



AaronE
03-22-2007, 05:46 AM
Does anyone know if Lee would make a factory crimp die for a .41 Colt? with the heel bullet a standard crimper will not work.

OR does anyone but ME load for .41 Colt?

Thanks,

Aaron

Nueces
03-22-2007, 11:40 PM
Howdy, Aaron

I think you want a rifle type collet crimper, right? Regular Lee pistol cartridge carbide factory crimpers accomplish the crimp as does a standard crimp die. From the Lee Precision site (leeprecision.com), Custom Services page, there is this on their making custom collet crimp dies:

"Rifle Factory Crimp Dies are cartridge specific and there are a few that cannot be made. Any handgun case that is of a bottleneck design qualifies because the die would have to made much like the rifle factory crimp dies but we do not make die bodies shorter than that you would find on a .223 Remington. Examples would be the 30 Mauser, 7.62 x 25 and the .357 Sig. The 50 AE also applies because the case is too short for the die bodies available."

I read that as saying your 41 Colt is too short, but, what the heck, call 'em, maybe they figured out sumpin' over the last weekend. :-D

Mark

TDB9901
03-22-2007, 11:56 PM
Aaron,

I think it is a fella' that posts here under the handle "HarryO" who does, and has written a very informitive article on another web sight. He posted a link to it here not too long ago.

Try the Search function, bet you'll find it.

Tom

RalphH
03-23-2007, 12:35 AM
Greetings, AaronE,

I have loaded heel boolits for quite some time. I designed and made a crimper that fits in Lyman mold handles. It takes a difficult job and makes it easy with great results. Following photos show crimper and results. You're welcome to use the design, just don't try to patent it. It is protected. There are some very critical dimensions. If you are going to use this design, contact me for details.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Ralph_H/73Crimp-1.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Ralph_H/73Crimp-2.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Ralph_H/73Crimp-3.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Ralph_H/73French-3.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Ralph_H/476EleyCrimped.jpg

Dale53
03-23-2007, 12:56 AM
Now, there is a feller that just flat knows what he is doing!!

Good work, Ralph H.

Dale53

utk
03-25-2007, 10:37 AM
http://harryo.sixshootercommunity.org/

and:

http://harryo.sixshootercommunity.org/#lubing

A you can read here, LEE makes a rifle-type factory crimp for short cases. (I have one for .30 Luger with an "inverted crimper design" as compared to the regular rifle fc dies).

Urban

Buckshot
03-26-2007, 05:41 AM
............RalphH, an elegant answer to the problem! Nice work, too!

..............Buckshot

Wayne Smith
03-27-2007, 07:16 AM
Lee told me that the .41 Colt case I sent them was too short to make a crimp die. I sent them a case with a bullet seated correctly for my revolver.

Ralph, that is an elegant solution.

Mayor
11-07-2016, 12:12 PM
Contact Bernie Rowles at Old West Bullet Moulds. He makes Lee crimpers (modified to crimp Heel base) for me all the time........
Or I can sell you one: www.cartridgeconversion.com

Mayor
11-07-2016, 12:13 PM
Lee told me that the .41 Colt case I sent them was too short to make a crimp die. I sent them a case with a bullet seated correctly for my revolver.

Ralph, that is an elegant solution.
Too much "politician" in that reply (or there is no longer anyone there capable of problem solving.........).

Ballistics in Scotland
11-07-2016, 12:41 PM
Greetings, AaronE,

I have loaded heel boolits for quite some time. I designed and made a crimper that fits in Lyman mold handles. It takes a difficult job and makes it easy with great results. Following photos show crimper and results. You're welcome to use the design, just don't try to patent it. It is protected. There are some very critical dimensions. If you are going to use this design, contact me for details.

Elegant indeed. I had thought of something similar, not for a revolver but if I get around to an extra long inside primed .22 project, using a large quantity of never loaded .22 rimfire shotshells I bought. I had some idea of machining a pair of pliers and fitting a plate to locate it by the bullet tip, but yours looks like a better arrangement.

I don't have any Lee factory crimp dies, but I have seen the sectional drawing in their catalogue. It might be that if you have a belt grinder or abrasive discs, you could shorten one enough for the .41LC.

It's good to see you here. I'm still indebted to you for the dimensions you supplied me with quite a few years back, which led to the resurrection of my Spirlet revolver with a missing hammer and trigger-guard.

Ballistics in Scotland
11-08-2016, 11:36 AM
I don't believe there is any doubt that Ralph's device is best, if you have the facilities. But subject to size (which you would have to check), what about a relatively easy adaptation of this? Even with nothing but files etc. you could rig up a sort of anvil to fit in the slot and let them close just the right amount. I saw them on eBay, and a search for "orthodontic pliers" will reveal plenty of different kinds with possible uses.

180349

I am sure something could be done with a spare three-jaw lathe chuck, even one so dilapidated as to be unsatisfactory for its intended purpose. That would attack the case neck on three sides instead of two, and turning the recess could be its last experience of use on a lathe.