reloading question

[caster456]

I just started to reload 45-70 and its the first time i have had to crimp.
im using rcbs 3 die set but i cant get it to crimp.i fallow all the steps but i still can pull the bullet out by hand.
What im i doing worng,any tips will be helpful.

Thanks C

 

[Scott_N]

To me it sounds like your resizing die isn't properly adjusted if you can actually pull the bullet out. Did you screw the sizing die all the way until it contacts your press, then go 1/8 or so deeper?

edit: never mind... I forgot that 45/70 is rimmed.

 

[sunray]

Turn your seating die down(and reset the seater plug up so you don't change the OAL) until it gives you a wee roll crimp. Takes a bit of trial and error to get it right. Mind you, if the sizer's expander button is right, you shouldn't need to crimp unless you're using hot loads.

 

[stocker]

One of the dies has a small shoulder to bell the case mouth. There is enough adjustment in that die to run the bell the full length of the bullet or further. If you do that the bullet will drop right into the case and pull right back out with your fingers. Without going to my storage area and checking I believe it is the second die in a 3 die set. Remove the expander stem and examine it and you will see the small shoulder on the expander stem. Only adjust it in far enough to flare the very end of the case.

Crimping is accomplished by correct adjustment of the 3rd die. Seat your bullet depth initially by running the stem down so you don't make case contact with the crimp shoulder. Back out the seater quite a bit , and adjust the die for a crimp and then lock your seater down to contact the now crimped bullet.

 

[caster456]

One of the dies has a small shoulder to bell the case mouth. There is enough adjustment in that die to run the bell the full length of the bullet or further. If you do that the bullet will drop right into the case and pull right back out with your fingers. Without going to my storage area and checking I believe it is the second die in a 3 die set. Remove the expander stem and examine it and you will see the small shoulder on the expander stem. Only adjust it in far enough to flare the very end of the case.

Crimping is accomplished by correct adjustment of the 3rd die. Seat your bullet depth initially by running the stem down so you don't make case contact with the crimp shoulder. Back out the seater quite a bit , and adjust the die for a crimp and then lock your seater down to contact the now crimped bullet.

thanks ill give that a try.