Solving 454 Casull Crimp Jump (I hope)

[bergmen]

I have been having sporadic crimp jump from time to time with my FA Model 83. I have two favorite loads (both below published starting loads in the FA load manual). These are:

1) 30.0 grains W296 under 240 grain Hornady XTP-Mag.
2) 35.0 grains W296 under 240 grain Hornady XTP-Mag.

I have been using the roll crimp die that comes with my RCBS 454 Casull carbide die set.

I found a custom Lee Factory Crimp die for the .45 Colt and decided to try it out using a shim to compensate for the longer 454 Casull case. I like what I see (roll crimp on left, Lee FCD in center):





The crimp is just the right size for the crimp groove on the bullet. I'll be heading to the range soon to try them out. I do have some concern with the health of the brass and how many times it can take this type of crimp and be reloaded but I'll decide once I test them out.

Dan

 

[osteodoc08]

To me that roll crimp on the left looks a little on the light side. The other one looks good and healthy just like I do to the crimp grooves in my lead 454 bullets for my SRH.

 

[osteodoc08]

BTW. I reload with 45 LC dies too

 

[bergmen]

To me that roll crimp on the left looks a little on the light side. The other one looks good and healthy just like I do to the crimp grooves in my lead 454 bullets for my SRH.

Yeah, it could use a little more roll crimp. I just don't want to crumple the brass which I doubt would happen on the stout 454 brass. I used to have this problem on .357 brass from time to time.

Dan

 

[joecil]

I have use Lee Dies sizing and bullet seating dies for 454 however I use the Lyman M die to expand followed by the Lee Powder thru die. I then crimp with a Redding Profile crimp for cast or the Ranch Dog version of the 45 Colt FCD for jacketed bullets such as shown. Now I've never used a shim and not sure I understand the purpose of it.

 

[bergmen]

I have use Lee Dies sizing and bullet seating dies for 454 however I use the Lyman M die to expand followed by the Lee Powder thru die. I then crimp with a Redding Profile crimp for cast or the Ranch Dog version of the 45 Colt FCD for jacketed bullets such as shown. Now I've never used a shim and not sure I understand the purpose of it.

The Lee collet FCD die is for .45 Colt which is .098 shorter than 454 Casull. I use a shim to make up the difference since the die is actuated by contact with the shell holder.

Dan

 

[buck460XVR]

When I load .452 XTPs (both the 240 and 300gr XTP-MAGs) I tend to see a significant bulge in a loaded case as to where the bullet is seated. I see none in your pics. This increase in neck tension may be why I never have a problem with bullet jump even with heavy bullets and max loads in my .460, as opposed to your problem with loads that are far from max. How much are you expanding in order to seat your bullets?

 

[bergmen]

When I load .452 XTPs (both the 240 and 300gr XTP-MAGs) I tend to see a significant bulge in a loaded case as to where the bullet is seated. I see none in your pics. This increase in neck tension may be why I never have a problem with bullet jump even with heavy bullets and max loads in my .460, as opposed to your problem with loads that are far from max. How much are you expanding in order to seat your bullets?

You are absolutely correct. After peeling the onion a bit I realized I had expanded new brass without resizing it first. I measured the ID prior but the result was not enough neck tension. This was the cause all along.

I crimped the rest of the box with the FCD rather than disassemble and start over. I'll see how they work but I won't do that again (fail to resize new brass).

Dan

 

[Coal Dragger]

Didn't I mention resizing and neck tension in another thread?......

 

[gamestalker]

I'm rather OCD about my brass, especially magnum wheel gun brass, in that, I trim all to the same length. In doing so, I get a consistent crimp on every cartridge.
Another step I've included that has solved crimp jump, is I place my crimp along the bottom edge of the canelure. If the bullet has any room to move forward within the canelure, it can over come the crimp, especially with full tilt magnum powders such as 296.

GS

 

[98Redline]

Coal Dragger has it spot on.

If you can't see the general shape of the bullet base in the brass after seating you don't have enough neck tension for the big boomers. It may work in 45ACP or 9mm but for a .44 on up you will start getting crimp jump.

 

[joecil]

Originally posted by bergmen
The Lee collet FCD die is for .45 Colt which is .098 shorter than 454 Casull. I use a shim to make up the difference since the die is actuated by contact with the shell holder.

Dan

I never tried a shim but am getting the same crimp on 454 cases. However mine was a Lee custom die that was sold by Ranch Dog. It also has a slightly wider space between the slots in the collet.

 

[Riomouse911]

You've found your cure...proper neck tension + decent crimp = no bullet pull on your big gun loads.