RCBS dies for crimping 44mag

[MarkK]

Can’t seem to get an adequate heavy crimp with these dies for med to heavy mag loads; experiencing bullets backing out post recoil. Any suggestions or Rex’s for different die?

[ubetcha]

Redding profile crimp works for me. It seems to apply a taper crimp along with a roll crimp

[Tripplebeards]

I just bought a Lee factory crimp die. Gives a more even look than the rcbs roll crimp and twice the slip force from what I've researched on line.

[white eagle]

i use a Hornady fl size die with the stem out
use to crimp only
I used to use the Lee but some of my
loads were backing out so I switched
and have had no problems

[44MAG#1]

RCBS dies are set up so one can Neck Down Crimp with the right crimp groove. What bullets are you using.
If you can't get a good enough crimp with RCBS dies then you are doing something wrong unless the bullet has an extremely shallow crimp groove.

[18Bravo]

I’ve used RCBS, Hornady and Lee's carbide crimp dies. Overall, the Lee’s have given the best results. I now use them exclusively on all my hand gun and non-bolt action rifles. They give a uniform repeatable crimp from very light to very heavy. Additionally, they “true” the completed cartridge and assist in removing case bulge that I seem to get loading lead.

As an added bonus, the Lee pistol carbide crimp dies in 380 Auto, 40 S&W, 41AE, 45 GAP, 45 Win Mag and 45ACP can be used in conjunction with the Lee Bulge Buster. They’re very versatile and inexpensive when compared to the competition.

[Bookworm]

I’ve used RCBS, Hornady and Lee's carbide crimp dies. Overall, the Lee’s have given the best results. I now use them exclusively on all my hand gun and non-bolt action rifles. ..

.

If you have an orphan RCBS, Hornady, or even a Lee (NOT the FCD) 44 seat/crimp die that you are not using, and want to sell off, please PM me.
I am looking for one.

[mdi]

What bullets? Are you seating and crimping in the same step? I've used Lee dies (not FCD for handguns) for a plain old roll crimp which held bullets for my heavy .44 Mag loads. (the FCD I used gave inferior crimps compared to the Lee seat/crimp die, in my experience). I also used a Redding Profile crimp on my 44 Mags. and 357 Mags with very good results and recently started using a Lee collet crimp die for my 44 Magnum.

Keeping bullets in place can be more than just a crimp as neck tension, bullet composition, brass characteristics, and often too much crimp. A roll crimp needs someplace for the formed metal to go so a good cannalure or groove is necessary. Even with max loads in my .44 Magnums with jacketed bullets the Lee roll crimp held, done in a separate step, in my Ruger SBH, S&W 629, and Dan Wesson...

[gwpercle]

You should be able to apply a proper crimp with RCBS dies, they have a long track record of working .
More and detailed information on the bullet/boolit and die adjustment you are using would help solve the problem.
In solving a problems, the details do matter.
Gary

[Duckiller]

Have had no trouble crimping 44Mag with RCBS dies. Cast and jacketed projectiles. For single and double action revolvers, Desert Eagle and a couple of rifles. Would suggest than you closely follow the instructions for setting crimp.

[Victor N TN]

I have used RCBS, Lyman and Lee die sets. I have never had a problem holding my HOT loads in either rifle or revolver. I strongly believe that the correct set-up is a lot of the overall operation.

[Shuz]

Perhaps your expander plug is too great in diameter, thereby reducing neck tension?
In my experience,if the .44 mag case has proper neck tension, very little crimp,if any is needed.
I shoot a 26 ounce Smith model 329PD .44 mag a lot, and I used to get boolit jump no matter how much crimp I applied to the case.
Once I decreased the diameter of my expander die, my boolit jumping problems went away.

[MarkK]

205410205410

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

Perhaps your expander plug is too great in diameter, thereby reducing neck tension?
In my experience,if the .44 mag case has proper neck tension, very little crimp,if any is needed.
I shoot a 26 ounce Smith model 329PD .44 mag a lot, and I used to get boolit jump no matter how much crimp I applied to the case.
Once I decreased the diameter of my expander die, my boolit jumping problems went away.

What Shuz said. Proper neck tension is required. The crimp cannot do it all in heavy recoiling firearms. Try bullets not sized too much. I use a .431 sizing die for .44 mag. This is often the problem more than an expanding plug too large. You can also decrease the diameter of the expanding plug by spinning it in a drill and applying some find sand paper. Good way to polish it too.

[bluejay75]

Lee collet crimp die. I have every die mentioned above and none deliver a more consistent crimp. Even with brass that’s not the same length(except Hornady)

[MarkK]

I’m wondering if it is some of the Remington brass that isn’t sizing to hold good neck tension. I’m seating to the crimp groove on boolits shown above. No extreme case belling here.

[lightman]

I've never had any problem with the crimp that I get using RCBS dies. Like others have said, they have a long track record of working well. I wonder if you have collected some dirt, lead or bullet lube in the die. You might try cleaning it before you replace it.

[myg30]

Can’t seem to get an adequate heavy crimp with these dies for med to heavy mag loads; experiencing bullets backing out post recoil. Any suggestions or Rex’s for different die?

Mark, Did you get to resolve the crimp issue? Just curious. Lots of good suggestions above. Wonder what worked.

Mike

[44Blam]

I use the Lee crimp die... The directions say to put a boolit in and turn 2 1/2 turns back for "heavy crimp"...
What I like is not turn it back and it makes a little pop when it crimps into the grove, so I just lightly pop it in (no need to CRANK it in) and it does a nice job.

I did this on my last set and the crimp turned out nice.
207127

[44Blam]

The other thing I found was to make sure to trim you cases to the EXACT same size. That way the bullet is seated to exactly the same depth and the crimp goes exactly the same way into the grove every time.
The case trimming sucks, but it saves a lot of grief later.

I end up having bags of cases for each caliber:
1) Shot
2) Clean
3) De-primed/resized
4) Resized and Trimmed
5) Primed

I do all this in it's own step so it saves time later. So, when I go to load some boolits, I take the bag of "Primed" brass that is clean, resized and trimmed. Or if I am out of that, the resized and trimmed bag is good. Otherwise, I get to work...

[Mr_Sheesh]

I've used lunch bags piled up in 5 gallon buckets for shot, deprimed, and cleaned cases, but tend to go to ammo boxes once I start the resize / trim / prime / expand / powder / seat / crimp process, this is all "How I do it" not "my way is the ONLY way" though :) Organization is good!

[6bg6ga]

I use Dillon and RCBS for pistol without a problem.

[WFO2]

I'm with bluejay75 . I use the Lee collet crimp on my 44 mag . Most consistent crimp so far and have tried several dies .

[Victor N TN]

I've used lunch bags piled up in 5 gallon buckets for shot, deprimed, and cleaned cases, but tend to go to ammo boxes once I start the resize / trim / prime / expand / powder / seat / crimp process, this is all "How I do it" not "my way is the ONLY way" though :) Organization is good!

You and I do things a lot alike.

[MarkK]

Mark, Did you get to resolve the crimp issue? Just curious. Lots of good suggestions above. Wonder what worked.

Mike

Slammed with work. Will not give up on my RCBS dies just yet. Might try to find time this weekend. Thanks for all who replied!