.44 Magnum cases bulging while crimping.

[PoFF]

Here's the recipe, even though it may not relevant, but just in case

- Mixed cases
- Frontier 245 grains bullets
- 23 grains of H110
- CCI Large Pistol Magnum Primers

Problem,

For a number of years I had a separate toolhead with my 44 magnum dies setup on it, and it was working fine. Now recently, when I try to roll crimp the cartridge, the case crumbles and bends under the pressure instead of roll-crimping into the cannelure.

Now, I've noticed that this batch of Frontiers 245 grains has a slightly smaller cannelure than the ones from my last lot.

Could that be the problem, or is this something else?

Thanks

 

[doc25]

My best guess is that the crimp die is crimping too much. Do you happen to have a factory crimp die? These will resize the case while crimping. I have no problem crimping for .357 with the Frontier.

 

[Levi Garrett]

x2

 

[BEARMAN]

Check to see if you have a buildup of lead in the nose of the seating/crimping die. You may be still seating the bullet after or while the crimping is taking place. The lead may just need to be cleaned out, to go back to the way it was.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Be sure all your cases are the same length, (mixed cases makes me wonder) set the bullet seating die, and set the die so that it just barely crimps. Sounds to me like you are crimping to hard.
Also possible that you are using bullets with the crimp groove in the wrong location. (example bullets made with the 44-40 in mind) Keeping OAL in mind, I like the groove to be just barely visible. If it's not visible at all, you will buckle the case, same, if it's above the case.

If troubles persist, get the Lee factory Crimp die. It works!

 

[Johnn Peterson]

A lot of good info to your thread. First off, I'd check your case lengths and trim to a uniform length, at least 0.005" under maximum, ie: 1.280". Next, take your seating/crimping die apart and make sure it is clean. Then, reset your seating die seating & crimping adjustments. You could be crimping to hard or trying to seat too much after the crimp is established.

 

[daBear]

Not very often that one gets to agree with everybody so far . It definately sounds like an overcrimping problem, and the suggestion to clean the die and reset is once again bang on. Not only lead can build up but the wax lube from cast bullets has a tendency to build up over time and can make a significant difference in seating.
You guys are all right in my opinion.. Buy yourselves sumthin pretty..
Cheers
dB