.44 magnum crimp?

Wild Bill Bucks · September 11, 2006, 10:28 AM

Is it neccessary to crimp a .44 magnum round if useage is intended for wheel gun or single shot rifle? Load will be 180 grain Hornady XTP with 28.3 grains of W296.

Ben Shepherd · September 11, 2006, 10:41 AM

YES!! A firm crimp at that.

ledavatar · September 11, 2006, 12:15 PM

How do you crimp a 240gr .44 Lead Semi-Wadcutter that has no cannelure? I thought maybe you crimp into the lube groove, but wouldn't that leave a huge space? I am using the Lee Factory Crimp Die for the process.

Ben Shepherd · September 11, 2006, 01:34 PM

Ledavatar:

Set the cartrige length by the loading manual. Regardless of the abscence of the crimp groove. Then you just crimp as normal. Lead is softer than brass so the brass will form a crimp groove where it's needed.

That die you have is one of the better ones for doing this by the way.

Also: Usually only soft swaged lead has no groove, I wouldn't drive them over 1,000fps unless you don't mind pretty bad leading.

ledavatar · September 11, 2006, 03:51 PM

I'm using the Oregon Trail Laser Cast .44 Lead Semi-Wadcutters, and as I just started reloading, I don't have any experience in what's bad leading. Normally with the lead stuff I plan on low to mid range loads anyway. For the .44 240gr lead bullet I only plan to shoot them in the 800-900fps range.

VaFisher · September 11, 2006, 04:14 PM

I have loaded and shot several thousand rounds without crimping. Have had no problem come from it not being crimped but the loads have been on the light side. Been shooting them in a blackhawk and have not tried any stronger loads that way.

Ben Shepherd · September 14, 2006, 08:34 AM

VaFisher: Yes, it's true you can get away with no crimp on light target loads.

But: The load our original poster is stating he is going to use NEEDS a good crimp. Not only because that powder requires it for proper ignition, but because that weight slug is very short in this caliber. This leaves very little surface area in contact with the case wall. This means the slug will have a greater tendency to move under recoil.

Having a slug back out and tie your gun up sucks- Trust me.

That load you have that works without crimp? Cool. your brass will outlast you and your kids. But please don't skip crimp if you put together heavier loads.

VaFisher · September 16, 2006, 06:28 AM

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I thought if I loaded stronger loads I would crimp for sure.

mete · September 16, 2006, 06:50 AM

Heavy bullets with slow burning powder require not only a crimp but a tight grip by the neck . This insures no setback, proper ignition of the powder and may effect accuracy also !!! Over crimp can cause problems also.

September 11, 2006, 10:28 AM	#1
Wild Bill Bucks Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2005 Location: Southeastern Oklahoma, Next door to Sasquatch Posts: 1,266	.44 magnum crimp? Is it neccessary to crimp a .44 magnum round if useage is intended for wheel gun or single shot rifle? Load will be 180 grain Hornady XTP with 28.3 grains of W296.

September 11, 2006, 10:41 AM	#2
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	YES!! A firm crimp at that. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

September 11, 2006, 01:34 PM	#4
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Ledavatar: Set the cartrige length by the loading manual. Regardless of the abscence of the crimp groove. Then you just crimp as normal. Lead is softer than brass so the brass will form a crimp groove where it's needed. That die you have is one of the better ones for doing this by the way. Also: Usually only soft swaged lead has no groove, I wouldn't drive them over 1,000fps unless you don't mind pretty bad leading. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor Last edited by Ben Shepherd; September 11, 2006 at 03:29 PM.

September 14, 2006, 08:34 AM	#7
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	VaFisher: Yes, it's true you can get away with no crimp on light target loads. But: The load our original poster is stating he is going to use NEEDS a good crimp. Not only because that powder requires it for proper ignition, but because that weight slug is very short in this caliber. This leaves very little surface area in contact with the case wall. This means the slug will have a greater tendency to move under recoil. Having a slug back out and tie your gun up sucks- Trust me. That load you have that works without crimp? Cool. your brass will outlast you and your kids. But please don't skip crimp if you put together heavier loads. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

September 11, 2006, 12:15 PM	#3
ledavatar Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2006 Posts: 147	How do you crimp a 240gr .44 Lead Semi-Wadcutter that has no cannelure? I thought maybe you crimp into the lube groove, but wouldn't that leave a huge space? I am using the Lee Factory Crimp Die for the process.

September 11, 2006, 03:51 PM	#5
ledavatar Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2006 Posts: 147	I'm using the Oregon Trail Laser Cast .44 Lead Semi-Wadcutters, and as I just started reloading, I don't have any experience in what's bad leading. Normally with the lead stuff I plan on low to mid range loads anyway. For the .44 240gr lead bullet I only plan to shoot them in the 800-900fps range.

September 11, 2006, 04:14 PM	#6
VaFisher Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 596	I have loaded and shot several thousand rounds without crimping. Have had no problem come from it not being crimped but the loads have been on the light side. Been shooting them in a blackhawk and have not tried any stronger loads that way.

September 16, 2006, 06:28 AM	#8
VaFisher Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 596	Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I thought if I loaded stronger loads I would crimp for sure.

September 16, 2006, 06:50 AM	#9
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Heavy bullets with slow burning powder require not only a crimp but a tight grip by the neck . This insures no setback, proper ignition of the powder and may effect accuracy also !!! Over crimp can cause problems also.