44 Magnum crimp question - Expert question

[kestak]

Greetings,

I am reloading 44 magnum 300 GRAIN LEAD FLATPOINT BEVEL BASE BULLET with H110 18.8 grains.

I am using a Dillon 550B.

Station 4, Dillon stipulates: Put an empty case, raise the plate, screw down the die until it touches the empty case, lower the plate then turn 1/4 more the die.

Speer Manual #14 page 954 says : "...Remember to crimp the big bullet in the rear cannelure for most revolvers..."

First question: Do I have to do as Speer says? If yes, how do I do this with my Dillon 550B?

Second question: Do I need to crimp more than 1/4 turn if I ignore the Speer manual stipulation? I already shot 4 test bullets done with 1/4 turn and the gun did not blow up.

Frankly, I am at lost with all that crimping thing . With my 357mag, I use H110 16.4 grains with a 158 jacketed FP with 1 turn for the crimp (and not 1/4 turn like Dillon says) and they shot very well. With my 45acp, I did 1 turn with my Lead RN and FMJ 230 grains and they feed and shoot very well. Anyone can explain the crimping to me for the 44 magnum please?

Thank you

 

[GaryL]

For Lee FC dies, I follow the Lee instructions for setting the crimp. You can see the crimp increasing as you tighten the crimp adjustment screw. Lee recommends screw in the die until it touches the shell plate, but I back it off a partial turn. Then you put a loaded round into the die, and adjust the crimp screw until it touches the case mouth. Then back out the round and adjust 1/2 turn for a light crimp and 1 turn for a full crimp.

 

[Travis Two]

Bear in mind that the Dillon directions are designed to get you up and running with a minimum of problems. The settings on the dies can be fine tuned to achieve optimal results for your particular application. Since you are firing 300 gr. bullets you want to be sure that the bullets don't move forward out the case under recoil. Secondly the amount of crimp will also affect the performance of the rounds with respect to accuracy and velocity variations between the rounds with respect to the types of powders that you will run.

For example powder like H110 or WW296 (same powder) or other slow burners need more crimp than less over other loads. So adjust the crimp so its optimal for your intended use.