ndnchf
12-06-2013, 12:01 PM
Some of you may know that Bernie at Old West Bullet Molds modifies Lee factory crimp dies (collet type dies) for a variety of obsolete calibers. Not too long ago he made me a crimp die for .32 Colt that uses a heel buillet. It worked great.
I also shoot a M1868 Springfield in .50-70. It has a typical military chamber, meaning loose. I have to resize my brass quite a bit after firing in order to hold the bullet firimly in place. Well, I was so impressed with Bernie's .32 Colt collet crimp die, I asked if he could make one for the .50-70. He had not made one before but said he'd try. A week later he emailed back saying he had made one from a .45-70 collet crimp die. To my surprise it arrived a few days later. I have to say, it works great. There was just enough extra meat in the .45-70 die to be machined out for .50-70. I think he also shortened the die and inner collet piece to .50-70 length as well. Here's a couple pics. I had to size the cases a little to make the case mouth small enough to enter the crimp die collet. This worked well as the partially sized case made a perfect slip fit for the .515" bullet.
http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y493/ndnchf/BPCR/crimpdie-1_zps9dfb51d5.jpg (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ndnchf/media/BPCR/crimpdie-1_zps9dfb51d5.jpg.html)
Here it is with a round inserted for crimping.
http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y493/ndnchf/BPCR/crimpdie-2_zps54184250.jpg (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ndnchf/media/BPCR/crimpdie-2_zps54184250.jpg.html)
Here is the crimped round. Its hard to see, but it is only crimped on the top 1/16" of the case.
http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y493/ndnchf/BPCR/crimped5070_zps78ea29cd.jpg (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ndnchf/media/BPCR/crimped5070_zps78ea29cd.jpg.html)
Just thought some of you fellas might be interested in this. Oh, and BTW, the price was very reasonable.
I also shoot a M1868 Springfield in .50-70. It has a typical military chamber, meaning loose. I have to resize my brass quite a bit after firing in order to hold the bullet firimly in place. Well, I was so impressed with Bernie's .32 Colt collet crimp die, I asked if he could make one for the .50-70. He had not made one before but said he'd try. A week later he emailed back saying he had made one from a .45-70 collet crimp die. To my surprise it arrived a few days later. I have to say, it works great. There was just enough extra meat in the .45-70 die to be machined out for .50-70. I think he also shortened the die and inner collet piece to .50-70 length as well. Here's a couple pics. I had to size the cases a little to make the case mouth small enough to enter the crimp die collet. This worked well as the partially sized case made a perfect slip fit for the .515" bullet.
http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y493/ndnchf/BPCR/crimpdie-1_zps9dfb51d5.jpg (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ndnchf/media/BPCR/crimpdie-1_zps9dfb51d5.jpg.html)
Here it is with a round inserted for crimping.
http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y493/ndnchf/BPCR/crimpdie-2_zps54184250.jpg (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ndnchf/media/BPCR/crimpdie-2_zps54184250.jpg.html)
Here is the crimped round. Its hard to see, but it is only crimped on the top 1/16" of the case.
http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y493/ndnchf/BPCR/crimped5070_zps78ea29cd.jpg (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ndnchf/media/BPCR/crimped5070_zps78ea29cd.jpg.html)
Just thought some of you fellas might be interested in this. Oh, and BTW, the price was very reasonable.