I just started loading for the .44 mag and I have a problem with seating. The case seems to bulge a little where the bullet seats in the case. I have seen them completely straight wall and I wanted it like that. Any advice on die setup or anything? Thanks
.44 Mag reloading help!!!
- Thread starter nhassey48
- Start date
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
The Lee factory crimp dies for handguns have a carbide ring in the base, like a sizer die, but it is a larger inside diameter for loaded ammo.
Lee makes one for the 44 mag.
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/8203
The Lee factory crimp dies for handguns have a carbide ring in the base, like a sizer die, but it is a larger inside diameter for loaded ammo.
Lee makes one for the 44 mag.
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/8203
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bubbapug1
Guest
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
Check the bullets to see if they are in spec. What is the bullet OD?
Do the loaded bullets still fit in a case gauge when seated? If so, than other than appearances they are good to go.
Are you using a taper crimp? You can back off on the taper crimp perhaps to not form the brass so tightly.
Check the bullets to see if they are in spec. What is the bullet OD?
Do the loaded bullets still fit in a case gauge when seated? If so, than other than appearances they are good to go.
Are you using a taper crimp? You can back off on the taper crimp perhaps to not form the brass so tightly.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
Post a picture. Are you talking about the bulge being where the base of the bullet is, or where the mouth of the case meets the bullet?
Post a picture. Are you talking about the bulge being where the base of the bullet is, or where the mouth of the case meets the bullet?
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
I think you are talking about how the body of the case is skinnier than where the seated bullet is?? If so, you will get the slight bulge from a seated bullet on most straight wall cases when reloading them. I see this on my 44 and 357 loads. It's normal. It helps get more seating tension on the bullet. It's from the FL sizing of the case, and the bullet expanding out the case to fit in the case.
I think you are talking about how the body of the case is skinnier than where the seated bullet is?? If so, you will get the slight bulge from a seated bullet on most straight wall cases when reloading them. I see this on my 44 and 357 loads. It's normal. It helps get more seating tension on the bullet. It's from the FL sizing of the case, and the bullet expanding out the case to fit in the case.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
without more info ill bet your crimping with the bullet seater die. back the seater die out a turn, then adjust your seater plug as needed for OAL. crimp with a taper crimp/ factory crimp die. ur problem should be solved.
ive seen this w pistol rounds, and thin walled rifle rounds that require a good crimp(like 30-30 loaded for tubular mags) i found that slight variation in case length can cause this. the longer cases get more roll crimp from the seater die - and since the seater die does both operations in one step if the crimp is excessive, the buckling occurs. the crimp rolls into the cannelure ring, and force is still being applied to the seater. the longer cases buckle
crappy explanation - srry need more coffee...its early here. at least try seating a couple without a crimp, and see if the buckling stops. crimp as a separate step w a taper crimp die and chances are ur problem will be solved
without more info ill bet your crimping with the bullet seater die. back the seater die out a turn, then adjust your seater plug as needed for OAL. crimp with a taper crimp/ factory crimp die. ur problem should be solved.
ive seen this w pistol rounds, and thin walled rifle rounds that require a good crimp(like 30-30 loaded for tubular mags) i found that slight variation in case length can cause this. the longer cases get more roll crimp from the seater die - and since the seater die does both operations in one step if the crimp is excessive, the buckling occurs. the crimp rolls into the cannelure ring, and force is still being applied to the seater. the longer cases buckle
crappy explanation - srry need more coffee...its early here. at least try seating a couple without a crimp, and see if the buckling stops. crimp as a separate step w a taper crimp die and chances are ur problem will be solved
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
I am seating the bullet and crimping in two steps. I seat all bullets first and then I crimp all of them after ward. The bulge I am talking about is just the first .5in on the top of the case where the bullet sits in it. The mouth is crimped fine and thats not the problem. It feeds ok I just don't like how it buldges a litle bit. Im probably just being nit-picky
I am seating the bullet and crimping in two steps. I seat all bullets first and then I crimp all of them after ward. The bulge I am talking about is just the first .5in on the top of the case where the bullet sits in it. The mouth is crimped fine and thats not the problem. It feeds ok I just don't like how it buldges a litle bit. Im probably just being nit-picky
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bubbapug1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Check the bullets to see if they are in spec. What is the bullet OD?
Do the loaded bullets still fit in a case gauge when seated? If so, than other than appearances they are good to go.
Are you using a taper crimp? You can back off on the taper crimp perhaps to not form the brass so tightly. </div></div>
I am using hornady 200g HP/XTP bullets with a .430" OD
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bubbapug1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Check the bullets to see if they are in spec. What is the bullet OD?
Do the loaded bullets still fit in a case gauge when seated? If so, than other than appearances they are good to go.
Are you using a taper crimp? You can back off on the taper crimp perhaps to not form the brass so tightly. </div></div>
I am using hornady 200g HP/XTP bullets with a .430" OD
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
I get the same thing with mine no matter what bullet I'm using. There is absolutely no issue with the ammo and I'm guessing its happening because the carbide resizing die (RCBS in my case) is taking the sidewall down to the min dimensions.
I get the same thing with mine no matter what bullet I'm using. There is absolutely no issue with the ammo and I'm guessing its happening because the carbide resizing die (RCBS in my case) is taking the sidewall down to the min dimensions.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A.O.R.G.S-Hassey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yea ok. I have the RCBs carbide die as well. Are there certain dies that dont size it as much?
</div></div>
I use the Redding Titanium Carbide die and I can't see any bulges.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A.O.R.G.S-Hassey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yea ok. I have the RCBs carbide die as well. Are there certain dies that dont size it as much?
</div></div>
I use the Redding Titanium Carbide die and I can't see any bulges.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
curious, does the bulge appear after u seat the bullet, or after u crimp?
curious, does the bulge appear after u seat the bullet, or after u crimp?
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A.O.R.G.S-Hassey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im shooting them out of a 1894 lever gun. Every. Few rounds get caught when I chamber </div></div>
Work on seting the crimp around the canalure to help with mitigate the feed issue.
I have been reloading .357, .44 for about 18 years and .445 supermag for about 10. They all have that bulge.
I do wish that I had some dies that I could go through without having to size as much since the supermag brass is getting harder to locate as starline seems to produce it only in batches when there is sufficient demand to warrant it.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A.O.R.G.S-Hassey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im shooting them out of a 1894 lever gun. Every. Few rounds get caught when I chamber </div></div>
Work on seting the crimp around the canalure to help with mitigate the feed issue.
I have been reloading .357, .44 for about 18 years and .445 supermag for about 10. They all have that bulge.
I do wish that I had some dies that I could go through without having to size as much since the supermag brass is getting harder to locate as starline seems to produce it only in batches when there is sufficient demand to warrant it.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
thats very common all my 44 mag loads with blue dot and 240gr xtps have them or worse
thats very common all my 44 mag loads with blue dot and 240gr xtps have them or worse
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
Does the round fit the chamber? If YES you DON'T have a problem.
Get the Lee Factory Crimp Die.
IF you are loading "hot" use a VERY firm crimp so the bullets don't start to "pull" under recoil.
Does the round fit the chamber? If YES you DON'T have a problem.
Get the Lee Factory Crimp Die.
IF you are loading "hot" use a VERY firm crimp so the bullets don't start to "pull" under recoil.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
I "neck size" my 357 and 44 mags. In other words, I only size down to where the base of the bullet rests. This only works if the loads will be used in the same firearm the cases were previously fired in, and after a few reloadings, the cases will require full length sizing due to difficult chambering or extraction.
My accuracy is spectacular and case capacity is increased a bit so pressures are lower and velocity is better than full-length sized cases (no pressure/energy spent blowing out the brass to chamber dimensions).
As for your feeding issues, if your rifle is a Marlin, you could be experiencing the "Marlin jam", caused by the sharp edge of the lever cam wearing into the bottom of the carrier. I noticed it beginning to happen on my 45 Colt model 94 after fewer than a hundred rounds. Google "marlin 94 fix" and check out marauder's website. His fix works great, and even if you are not experiencing the issue now, he offers tips to help keep it from occurring...and it likely will eventually.
I "neck size" my 357 and 44 mags. In other words, I only size down to where the base of the bullet rests. This only works if the loads will be used in the same firearm the cases were previously fired in, and after a few reloadings, the cases will require full length sizing due to difficult chambering or extraction.
My accuracy is spectacular and case capacity is increased a bit so pressures are lower and velocity is better than full-length sized cases (no pressure/energy spent blowing out the brass to chamber dimensions).
As for your feeding issues, if your rifle is a Marlin, you could be experiencing the "Marlin jam", caused by the sharp edge of the lever cam wearing into the bottom of the carrier. I noticed it beginning to happen on my 45 Colt model 94 after fewer than a hundred rounds. Google "marlin 94 fix" and check out marauder's website. His fix works great, and even if you are not experiencing the issue now, he offers tips to help keep it from occurring...and it likely will eventually.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
Redding Carbide Sizing die, no bulge
This is what I consider to be a heavy roll crimp. These are hot loads so a firm crimp is that much more important. I use the redding profile crimp die.
Both are 300gr XTPs, a bullet with two cannelures. I let the brass length and cannelure location dictate COAL.
One load is 1.600" and is seated at the 1st cannelure. 18.3gr N110
The other is 1.740" and is seated at the 2nd cannelure. 21gr N110.
The long load will fit in the cylinder of my Dan Wesson. The 1.6" should work in anything.
Redding Carbide Sizing die, no bulge
This is what I consider to be a heavy roll crimp. These are hot loads so a firm crimp is that much more important. I use the redding profile crimp die.
Both are 300gr XTPs, a bullet with two cannelures. I let the brass length and cannelure location dictate COAL.
One load is 1.600" and is seated at the 1st cannelure. 18.3gr N110
The other is 1.740" and is seated at the 2nd cannelure. 21gr N110.
The long load will fit in the cylinder of my Dan Wesson. The 1.6" should work in anything.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
Yea those are what I want mine to look like. So you are saying it is my RCBS sizing die that is sizing them too much? I went out and shot it for the first time just doing a pressure test, and i started at 23.0g of H110 and went up to 29.0g and no signs of pressure. It is a postol cartridge so I'm not going to get max velocity. Ill probably shoot groups around the 26-28g mark and see what works best.
Falar, Do you shoot those in a Marlin 1894 or revolver. I was also thinking it might be a OAL issue but i'm loading them at 1.600".
Yea those are what I want mine to look like. So you are saying it is my RCBS sizing die that is sizing them too much? I went out and shot it for the first time just doing a pressure test, and i started at 23.0g of H110 and went up to 29.0g and no signs of pressure. It is a postol cartridge so I'm not going to get max velocity. Ill probably shoot groups around the 26-28g mark and see what works best.
Falar, Do you shoot those in a Marlin 1894 or revolver. I was also thinking it might be a OAL issue but i'm loading them at 1.600".
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A.O.R.G.S-Hassey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yea those are what I want mine to look like. So you are saying it is my RCBS sizing die that is sizing them too much? I went out and shot it for the first time just doing a pressure test, and i started at 23.0g of H110 and went up to 29.0g and no signs of pressure. It is a postol cartridge so I'm not going to get max velocity. Ill probably shoot groups around the 26-28g mark and see what works best.
Falar, Do you shoot those in a Marlin 1894 or revolver. I was also thinking it might be a OAL issue but i'm loading them at 1.600". </div></div>
The long ones are for the Dan Wesson.
The shorties are for the Desert Eagle.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A.O.R.G.S-Hassey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yea those are what I want mine to look like. So you are saying it is my RCBS sizing die that is sizing them too much? I went out and shot it for the first time just doing a pressure test, and i started at 23.0g of H110 and went up to 29.0g and no signs of pressure. It is a postol cartridge so I'm not going to get max velocity. Ill probably shoot groups around the 26-28g mark and see what works best.
Falar, Do you shoot those in a Marlin 1894 or revolver. I was also thinking it might be a OAL issue but i'm loading them at 1.600". </div></div>
The long ones are for the Dan Wesson.
The shorties are for the Desert Eagle.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
I think I have RCBS carbide dies and mine do the same thing. The die is just squeezing the case down a little more than necessary.
You can't do anything about it, except switch dies, and I personally don't find it to be a problem.
I think I have RCBS carbide dies and mine do the same thing. The die is just squeezing the case down a little more than necessary.
You can't do anything about it, except switch dies, and I personally don't find it to be a problem.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
If you are having problems chambering them, look to see where the scuff marks are. That might tell you where the problem is.
Take one that doesn't chamber and black it up with a marker and look for shiny spots after you try to chamber it.
If you are having problems chambering them, look to see where the scuff marks are. That might tell you where the problem is.
Take one that doesn't chamber and black it up with a marker and look for shiny spots after you try to chamber it.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
Hopefully it all works out for you tomorrow. Personally, I LOVE loading .44 Magnum. Factory ammo is so weak and overpriced that I find it is extremely rewarding to load for.
Hopefully it all works out for you tomorrow. Personally, I LOVE loading .44 Magnum. Factory ammo is so weak and overpriced that I find it is extremely rewarding to load for.
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bubbapug1
Guest
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A.O.R.G.S-Hassey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here is a pic of it. If you look, you can see a slight bulge.
</div></div>
That bullet looks perfect. If you can fit it in a case gauge shoot it.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A.O.R.G.S-Hassey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here is a pic of it. If you look, you can see a slight bulge.
That bullet looks perfect. If you can fit it in a case gauge shoot it.
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
Well, like most coyote trips lately it ended up being a shooting trip afterward. I had not one feeding problem all 40 rounds I shot today and am very happy. It did make me want a Leupold scout scope though
Well, like most coyote trips lately it ended up being a shooting trip afterward. I had not one feeding problem all 40 rounds I shot today and am very happy. It did make me want a Leupold scout scope though
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
You need to measure everything, then find your problem. For some it is not considered a big problem. But if you don't like the bulge then figure out a way to get rid of it.
First thing is measure you rifle. Did you slug the rifle??
Second did you mic. the case before and after sizing?? What are those measurements??
Are you using a belling die?? I like the Lyman M-Die.
Did you measure the bullet itself??
Your bullet is probably slightly larger than your sizing die is sizing the brass. That is pretty simple.
Crimping in two stages is the best way to seat and crimp(IMO) your bullet. That will not cause the bulge(nor eliminate it). The bulge is coming from a larger bullet in a smaller sized case.
However the size of your bullet really needs to be determined by the measurements from where you slugged the barrel.
Slightly bulged cases will not cause your Marlin to jam. As long as the cartridge chambers, that is all the bulge can influnce.
Some of my bullets in some of my straight walled pistol cartridge rifles and revolvers bulge the case. Some do not. Personally I do not worry about that as long as my bullet(bullets of lead that I cast) is properly sized and lubed. Tom.
You need to measure everything, then find your problem. For some it is not considered a big problem. But if you don't like the bulge then figure out a way to get rid of it.
First thing is measure you rifle. Did you slug the rifle??
Second did you mic. the case before and after sizing?? What are those measurements??
Are you using a belling die?? I like the Lyman M-Die.
Did you measure the bullet itself??
Your bullet is probably slightly larger than your sizing die is sizing the brass. That is pretty simple.
Crimping in two stages is the best way to seat and crimp(IMO) your bullet. That will not cause the bulge(nor eliminate it). The bulge is coming from a larger bullet in a smaller sized case.
However the size of your bullet really needs to be determined by the measurements from where you slugged the barrel.
Slightly bulged cases will not cause your Marlin to jam. As long as the cartridge chambers, that is all the bulge can influnce.
Some of my bullets in some of my straight walled pistol cartridge rifles and revolvers bulge the case. Some do not. Personally I do not worry about that as long as my bullet(bullets of lead that I cast) is properly sized and lubed. Tom.
B
bubbapug1
Guest
Re: .44 Mag reloading help!!!
The problem wasn't the loads, it was a weak extractor spring. I put in the new plastic extractor spring (blob) and the DE now eats anything as long as its 200 grain or more....green dot, red dot, 2400, H110, AA#9, True Blue...90% loads, 80% loads, 100% loads....I like the H110 and Win 296 for the loud bang and flames, but for accuracy and less recoil AA #9 and true blue are the way to go.
The problem wasn't the loads, it was a weak extractor spring. I put in the new plastic extractor spring (blob) and the DE now eats anything as long as its 200 grain or more....green dot, red dot, 2400, H110, AA#9, True Blue...90% loads, 80% loads, 100% loads....I like the H110 and Win 296 for the loud bang and flames, but for accuracy and less recoil AA #9 and true blue are the way to go.
