Crimping a rebatet .44 Colt Bullet

Brassman66

Brassman66

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Victoria BC or up the Creek northeast of Prince Ge
I am trying to find a Supplier where I could obtain a quality crimper for the .44 Colt rebated Bullet. If someone can point me in the right direction and/or has a crimper he is willing to part with please contact me.
I know a good Hobbyist or Toolmaker could make one, but I thought before I go down that Rabbit Hole I give this Comunity a try !

Cheers
 
tiriaq said:
A Lee custom factory crimp die? These are collet type dies.
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I watched a Video on Utube explaining how this collet type Die works. Unfortunately I am not convinced it would work very well on the Casing of the .44 Colt Cartridge with a rebated Bullet having only about 0.160" longitutional Lead inside the Casing
Furthermore, Brass Casing springs back a bit after tension is released, Lead does not.

I wonder if there is anyone on here which used the Lee Collet Die on the .44 Colt Cartridge and be willing to share his opinion ?
Thanks in advance to anybody with knowledge based opinion !
 
Pelcat said:
+1

They have crimp dies for all sorts of different calibers of heeled bullets. I own 3 of them, they're great, their molds too.
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I sure would love to see a closeup Picture of a Cartridge with a Rebated Bullet crimped with a Crimp Die. Also a picture of just the Bullet. I you would be so kind and show us, I am sure I am not the only one to see a well crimped Shell crimped onto a rebated Revolver Lead Bullet. - Thanks
 
Here's my .476 Enfield crimp die and one of my cartridges. Not much to see here, it works the same as any collet crimp die except you have to adjust the shell holder depending on the lenght of your brass.

I crimp them just enough that the bullets won't pop out when I fire my revolvers. With a good bullet design and a good crimp groove you won't need much crimp. You can always add some more by screwing the die into the press a little.
 

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Pelcat said:
Here's my .476 Enfield crimp die and one of my cartridges. Not much to see here, it works the same as any collet crimp die except you have to adjust the shell holder depending on the lenght of your brass.

I crimp them just enough that the bullets won't pop out when I fire my revolvers. With a good bullet design and a good crimp groove you won't need much crimp. You can always add some more by screwing the die into the press a little.
Click to expand...
Thank you for showing us but as you said not much to see here. However if it works and does not make a Mess then it definitely should be considered.
Perhaps I am mistaken but I seem to remember at this time this Tool Set cant be exported from the US ?

Meanwhile I had an Idea about Crimping the rebated Bullets by the Pin Mode like I have seen on first & second world War Rifle Shells holding the Bullet. Before I went to Bed last night I could not help to spent a little time in my Hobby Shop to make an initial test piece which turned out very positive. Time permitting, It wont be long before I have a working Prototype.
 
Brassman66 said:
Thank you for showing us but as you said not much to see here. However if it works and does not make a Mess then it definitely should be considered.
Perhaps I am mistaken but I seem to remember at this time this Tool Set cant be exported from the US ?

Meanwhile I had an Idea about Crimping the rebated Bullets by the Pin Mode like I have seen on first & second world War Rifle Shells holding the Bullet. Before I went to Bed last night I could not help to spent a little time in my Hobby Shop to make an initial test piece which turned out very positive. Time permitting, It wont be long before I have a working Prototype.
Click to expand...
tiriaq said:
Checked Old West Bullets website. They cannot export bullets.
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Having ordered a mold from them last week, I can confirm they will export molds and dies but not bullets. Also, they ship via USPS and not UPS so there are less fees. Their website is having an issue where it won't find shipping options to Canada, I contacted them directly and they sorted it out for me.

I was also thinking of pining my bullets in with a center punch but I'd rather not damage my cases like that. I reload for obsolete calibers, for instance, that Bertram 455 MkI case in the picture is pricey. Thus, I wanted a crimp that would be easy on it.
 
And here it is, took me longer then originally anticipated, don't ask me to make you one.
I really like the outcome with the rebated Bullet mechanically fixed in its place. Eventually I will replace the sharply pointed Screws with sharply pointed Cap Screws tightened by Allan wrench. The Tool is adjustable to obtain the precise location for the Indent.
After the indenting phase was done I run the finished Shell in/out of a RIMG2702.JPG of the Lee .452 Resizing Die just to make sure the Shell slides in and out the Revolver Cylinder nicely.
 
Pelcat said:
Having ordered a mold from them last week, I can confirm they will export molds and dies but not bullets. Also, they ship via USPS and not UPS so there are less fees. Their website is having an issue where it won't find shipping options to Canada, I contacted them directly and they sorted it out for me.

I was also thinking of pining my bullets in with a center punch but I'd rather not damage my cases like that. I reload for obsolete calibers, for instance, that Bertram 455 MkI case in the picture is pricey. Thus, I wanted a crimp that would be easy on it.
Click to expand...
For you Information. I tried this myself first with a sharp center Punch and found it does not do a good enoug Job, actually it makes a mess.

However what I have not tried yet is aneeling the .44 Colt Casings just to see if the results are even better with the Porcupine Tool I made then they are now with non aneeled Casings.
 
There were plier type crimping tools. Indented the case mouth.
Personally I would prefer a bar type indent (as seen on .303 ammunition) rather than stab type.
I think a collet pinch style would do the least harm to the brass.
 
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