44 Mag case resizing gone astray!

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TacticalCanuck

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Hi Reloaders.

Been reloading now for about 3 years.

Every pistol calibre I reload for (9, 40, 357/38, 45) - the process is pretty much the same. Seat the decap/resize die all the way down to the top of the raised shell plate, give a slight bit more so it cams just a bit, then lock her down.

So that is what I did. However, there is a rather large section of brass above the rim (or bottom, if you will) that is of a slightly larger diameter than the rest of the resized brass. About 3 or 4 mm worth of length.

It still just drops in my revolver. So no issues there, but, I don't think that it is quite right, and I hesitate to load any.

The press is a hornady lock n load progressive. The dies are Lee (it's all I could source!). Now, I use Lee dies for 223 and 308 and no issues. Their dies that include a neck only resizer have worked very well for me. So I have no reason to believe it is that, but I guess it could be?

The resizing is pretty straight forward (or so I thought lol), and probably easiest part of the whole process. I can not seat the die any further down than it is.

I have a single stage press that I am going to try and use the included Lee shell plate with. But a quick measure with the calipers show that there is no spacing difference.

Suggestions, that is what I'm looking for, anyone had this issue? The brass is once fired factory, fired by me.
 
If it chambers then I wouldn't worry about it. You only need to size enough for the case to chamber/extract properly and to grip the bullet with sufficient tension. Are you talking just a thou or two larger?
 
The only part of the case that expands to the chamber/cylinder is the upper part .The base of the empty case stays the same.What you are seeing (shiny upper brass) is normal die reworking the case.What to look for is cracking due to too many times being worked.For me when loading semi-auto cases when I can't read the info on the back of the case,usually because they're old,I pitch em'.
 
Exactly. I feel that standard dies for straight wall cartridges oversize the case way too much down near the base. I like the premise of the Redding dual ring carbide sizing dies that size the case appropriately near the base and at the mouth, limiting overworking the brass. Too bad they cost $120 usd.
 
I load 44 mag for a rifle with a generous chamber / need a .432 dia

For that rifle i only size the top part of the brass ... reduces working the brass and makes them look normal .
 
There is a section of the case as you describe that is not touched by the die. You have the depth of the shell holder and the internal rounded edge at the base of the die where the case is never touched. And most carbide dies are not tapered and have a single internal diameter. Meaning the closer you get to the base of the case the more the case diameter will be reduced by the die. And the simple fix is to measure loaded case and a fired case and raise the die so the base of the case is not excessively reduced in diameter

On top of this the SAAMI drawing of the case shows that the base of the case is slightly larger than the case mouth .4569 vs .4560. And in the upper right hand corner of the drawing it states the case diameter can be -.006 smaller than the reference diameter. And resizing dies reduce the case diameter .002 to .003 than these dimensions to provide bullet grip.

Bottom line, the plus and minus manufacturing tolerances of the case and internal diameter tolerances of the die will cause what you are seeing.

Below is a example of a carbide die adjusted too low and over resizing the base of the case.

images

.4638
Below a fired.44 Magnum case and bulging in the base, so adjusting the resizing die up and down is required to get the correct case diameter. A standard non-carbide die that you lube the cases for sizing is tapered and the base of the case is not reduced as much as a carbide die.

119536852.S2h2JSEJ.P1020099sm.jpg


Below Redding makes a dual ring carbide die that solves the problem, but they are over $120.00 US so adjusting the standard carbide die upward is cheaper.

Redding’s Dual Ring Carbide Sizing Die
https://loaddata.com/Article/LoadDevelopment/Reddings-Dual-Ring-Carbide-Sizing-Die/162

51104dfbc85101267.png


Below the case diameter and chamber diameter have tolerances, the base case diameter is 4569 to .4563 and the chamber base diameter is .4598 to .4638.

44RemMagPistol_zpsa96a71b0.jpg
 
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I'd try setting the sizing die higher and lock it just past where the case still fits the pistol cylinder but will also hold a bullet snugly. This will maximize your case life and they will look more normal.
 
bigedp51 said:
Below a fired.44 Magnum case and bulging in the base, so adjusting the resizing die up and down is required to get the correct case diameter. A standard non-carbide die that you lube the cases for sizing is tapered and the base of the case is not reduced as much as a carbide die.

119536852.S2h2JSEJ.P1020099sm.jpg
Click to expand...

This right here.

Hey thanks everyone, these are some very well presented responses. A special shout out to bigedp51 for such a thorough response.

I would just like to summarize to make sure I understand completely what has been said, and help anyone else that may find this thread.

The cases are fine. In fact, this slight bit of difference at the base is almost expected, and special dies exist that deal with the issue. To correct it, raise the die some, ensure drop in chamber fit, and ensure bullet seats firmly.

This is great stuff. I was concerned by this, I really don't want to experience a case separation or other issue that could damage my equipment or worse me or a bystander or fellow on the line.
 
Seagull said:
He is known for these and he must keep a catalogue of the answers as some come up so often. I like them a lot.
Also as an American on our site he has to earn his stay :p
Click to expand...

This is my favourite website and you Canadians are much more polite and less warlike than many American forums.

One of my ancestors moved to Canada after our Revolutionary War and stayed loyal to King George.

And my cousin Tim Horton makes good coffee and donuts. But my rotten (expletive deleted) cousin Tim makes me pay for my coffee when I come to Canada. :bangHead:

So now you know why I like this forum but hate watching Hockey. :evil:

636520357268068995--us-images-Tim-Hortons-Exterior-2.jpg
 
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