mp43sniper
Member
I'm having major trouble making blanks for my MP44. I have tried .270, .30-06, 8mm, and .308 so far with the same results. Here's the equipment I have:
RCBS 3 die case forming set (for live ammo) including case forming die, trim die, and reaming die.
C&H tool and die trim die for blanks.
C&H tool and die blank crimp die.
What I do is use the case forming die, live round trim die, blank trim die, and then cut off the case. I use both trim dies so I don't have to overstress the press I have now. The end of the blank is able to fit in the barrel at this point. Once I start to crimp, I can get it halfway shut and still able to go in the barrel. This is where the problem is. Before the crimp is closed enough to hold any powder something happens that squishes the base of the crimp out enough to make it no longer fit in the barrel. I can just see the larger diameter at the base of the crimp with the naked eye. When removing it from the crimp die, I feel a little resistance and it shaves off a little brass at each crimp but this isn't enough to reduce the diameter sufficient to let it go in the barrel.
I've tried adjusting the blank crimp die all kinds of ways (on this one the crimper can go up and down) and moving it all the way down works the best but once I pass halfway shut it's ruined.
Can anybody think of some way I'm doing something wrong, or do you have any advice? I'll try to post pictures of my crimp die so you can see what I'm working with. One thing about my crimp die is that the points go all the way down to sharp ends which are far below where it will touch the case. I was thinking if the crimper was shortened, there wouldn't be room for the case to squish out but I really don't want to modify it and then find out that was a mistake.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Craig
RCBS 3 die case forming set (for live ammo) including case forming die, trim die, and reaming die.
C&H tool and die trim die for blanks.
C&H tool and die blank crimp die.
What I do is use the case forming die, live round trim die, blank trim die, and then cut off the case. I use both trim dies so I don't have to overstress the press I have now. The end of the blank is able to fit in the barrel at this point. Once I start to crimp, I can get it halfway shut and still able to go in the barrel. This is where the problem is. Before the crimp is closed enough to hold any powder something happens that squishes the base of the crimp out enough to make it no longer fit in the barrel. I can just see the larger diameter at the base of the crimp with the naked eye. When removing it from the crimp die, I feel a little resistance and it shaves off a little brass at each crimp but this isn't enough to reduce the diameter sufficient to let it go in the barrel.
I've tried adjusting the blank crimp die all kinds of ways (on this one the crimper can go up and down) and moving it all the way down works the best but once I pass halfway shut it's ruined.
Can anybody think of some way I'm doing something wrong, or do you have any advice? I'll try to post pictures of my crimp die so you can see what I'm working with. One thing about my crimp die is that the points go all the way down to sharp ends which are far below where it will touch the case. I was thinking if the crimper was shortened, there wouldn't be room for the case to squish out but I really don't want to modify it and then find out that was a mistake.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Craig
