OK, I am new to reloading and just getting started this winter, so I have this question. How do I know if I am crimping right. I am reloading the .44 mag using Lee factory crimp. The load is a 300 grain XTP over 19 grains of H110 Hornady brass and fed. mag primer.

If I remeber correctly Lee uses a roll crimp. This should be done in the crimp ring of the bullet. You should visibly be able to see if there is a taper of the brass into the crimp grove. The biggest tell all will be when you fire it in your gun. I assume your using a revolver. I would fire a round with a full cyclinder of ammo, and then start checking each round as you load a new round. You are looking for the other bullets to jump out of the crimp. If the C.O.L. starts getting longer then stop shooting. You will need more crimp. If you go to far then you deal with pressure increases and bad bullet performance. Better to start with a moderate crimp and slightly increase as you go.

You must be careful not to overcrimp as you can overwork the case mouth and trash your brass. As said, with a roll crimp you want a nice roll into the canelure. Open a box of factory ammo, any flavor, and look at the factory crimp. Increase the crimp if you have bullets backing out when shooting. Someone has a pic of varying crimps that shows up here once in a while, maybe they will post it again. It is a great illustration of the degrees of crimp.

There are two parts to this story, bullet tension and bullet crimp, you need both ! The case must tightly grip the case regardless of the crimp.You should not be able to hold a round in your hand and push the bullet downward with your thumb. If you can you need a smaller expander die. In addition you need a roll crimp [taper crimp is for rimless cases ].Over crimping can reduce accuracy, and case life.

The lees are a roll crimp die I believe! And definately over crimping will wear out brass.

Thanks guys. I am hitting the range on Sunday. I'll try all this.

I keep reading about this and don’t understand. I have four different brands of 44 Mag dies (AND USE) and I have found I have to set each one a little differently, but they all work 100% satisfactorily. LOL

Can someone explain to me what I am missing?

Grendel,

Take a look at the following:

http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Lee-Carbide-Factory-Crimp-Die/

Doc

A look at factory fodder should give you a good idea of what your looking for.I have the Lee dies for the .44 mag and they work very well for me when crimping max loads.

Thanks all! I am not at the range today because there is too much "Liquid Sunshine" going on outside, so I am loading. This time I am trying 240 gr. Magtech soft point over 23 grains of H110. I think I have the crimp thing down right. I will know tomorrow when the sun gets back. Thanks for the info, and you just know I will have more questions sooner or later:)