44mag Lee dies neck tension issue

kevinm1980

kevinm1980

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So I started reloading for 44 mag, used to reload it years ago but sold off the dies I had, so I recently picked up Lee dies, anyways was loading up rounds with mixed brass, and all have neck tension issues even after crimp I can turn bullets by hand, happens with every headstamp of brass, took my calipers candle the inside of sized brass is . 4295" double checked to make sure I didn't flare cases too much, is this just a result of sloppy dies? Should I go buy rcbs or hornandy? Starting to think I shouldn't have cheaper out on dies
 
On some of my Lee dies I have used emery cloth and a cordless drill to decrease the mandrel size a bit. My Lee 44 dies don't have this issue though. I flare just enough to get Campro bullets to sit in the brass, then seat. Try not flaring at all, bullet still loose? What brand of bullets? They are right diameter right? Are you crimping with a roll crimp die? I crimp hard with one, no issues.
 
I have Lee 44mag dies and no issue here. I use the factory crimp that came with the set, but the bullet wouldn't turn by hands if I didn't.
 
I have had issue with my Lee die's and poor neck tension too. I switched to RCBS carb dies and all the problems went away. Also my lee dies got very sticky after a hundred rounds and needed more lube than the RCBS.

I also seat and taper crimp with two dies now, which is mandatory for plated bullets imo, so don't toss out the lee seating die. The RCBS carb dies does a beautiful job at taper crimping too.
 
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Now that I walked away and came back to it think I found the issue most of brass is Remington brass, took out calipers and all rem brass was measuring 4295, where as win, federal an PMC were running . 424-.4275, so I'm not a big fan of them Remington brass right now
 
Silly question but did you re-size the Remington brass? For what it's worth my low grade not good enough to be junk Lee .44 dies have loaded over 17 thousand rounds including Federal brass that has now been loaded 25 times.
 
A loose bullet fit could mean your expander might be too large in diameter. My expander diameter is .4275 for my .44 magnum dies, or .0025 smaller than bullet diameter.

What is the case diameter after sizing, normally the sizing die should reduce the case diameter enough for any brand or thickness of the case.
 
dirtybarry said:
Silly question but did you re-size the Remington brass? For what it's worth my low grade not good enough to be junk Lee .44 dies have loaded over 17 thousand rounds including Federal brass that has now been loaded 25 times.
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Barry, how often do you get split necks? I was culling 20% for a couple reloads, then none this batch(same batch of mixed brass).
 
Dsiwy said:
I have had issue with my Lee die's and poor neck tension too. I switched to RCBS carb dies and all the problems went away. Also my lee dies got very sticky after a hundred rounds and needed more lube than the RCBS.

I also seat and taper crimp with two dies now, which is mandatory for plated bullets imo, so don't toss out the lee seating die. The RCBS carb dies does a beautiful job at taper crimping too.
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I have never lubed my Lee carbide dies. No sticky here.
 
Was reading a couple of web sights south of the 49th. Several guys weren't even useing the expander die and getting better grouping. For my .44 plunking loads, hard cast loaded with trail-boss, I haven't used the expander the last two years.
 
emerson said:
Barry, how often do you get split necks? I was culling 20% for a couple reloads, then none this batch(same batch of mixed brass).
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Some every time but a lot more lately as the brass gets work hardened. This last batch had a 25 or so scrapped and another 46 on probably their last trip. That still leaves 279 out of the original 650 with no cracks at all after a minimum of 23 reloads. (some 24 and some 25 but I lost track of which ones)
Reading about the expander, mine is set so that the bullet just slips into the neck of the case about an 1/8" then seated and crimped into the cannelure. Used to use 3/8 of a turn with the mild 21.5 gr load but upped it to 3/4 because of more bullet walk from going to 22.5 and now 23.1 gr. The hotter H110 loads in Starline brass have been OK at 5/8 of a turn down from contact so far.
 
I'm pretty sure my issue is the Remington brass, may have over reacted.. Lol took out calipers and rem brass is a few thousands thinner, so this morning ordered some brand new Starline brass and will save the rem brass for cast bullets
 
Like I said I'm blaming the brass, have used alot of lee dies no issues, just after using calipers can't believe how thin that rem brass is compared to any other brand I have on hand, but if I get cast bullets sized to . 430 it will get some use
 
I had problems with some bulk military Winchester once fired 9mm brass and bought the Lee undersized carbide sizing die. The Lee undersize die sizes the case to a slightly smaller diameter so you have less brass spring back after sizing and more bullet grip. Meaning sometimes its the brass that is causing the problem, it might be thin or has become work hardened and is springing back more after sizing.

Most sizing dies will properly size even the thinnest brands of brass but you could have a sizing die or expander at the plus side of tolerance. And it would be nice to know how much you expander is enlarging your cases for the curiosity of everyone reading this posting. (We gots to know) ;)
 
kevinm1980 said:
I'm pretty sure my issue is the Remington brass, may have over reacted.. Lol took out calipers and rem brass is a few thousands thinner, so this morning ordered some brand new Starline brass and will save the rem brass for cast bullets
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So far the Starline has been holding up well with only 2 case failures out of ~ 1200 pieces loaded hot 6 to 7 times now. I've considered annealing but hard to justify with this kind of case life.
I have some Remington brass but it came from commercial reloads and have only ever reloaded 1 piece for milestones.
 
Spent some time measuring brass, rem brass is 2 thousandths thinner than the next thinnest so that makes an extra 4 thousanths in inside diameter, which the rem resized brass is 0.4295, whereas PMC brass end up 0.425 inside after sizing
 
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