RCBS "Cowboy" dies in .44 Russian

[PJ Hardtack]

The crimp die of my RCBS .44 Russian "Cowboy" dies will not function in my Dillon press - it's too long. What a PITA!

Screwing it down to the max just starts the crimp. I guess the fix is to have some length turned off.

Just a heads up for other Dillon owners.

[rickk]

Maybe call RCBS and see if they can fix it for you (for free). They should be made aware of these issues.

[Coffinmaker]

Hey PJ .........

Have you taken the die out of your Dillon, then threaded the die thru the tool head and then put the nut on the bottom side of the tool head??  If you've already tried that go back to plan A.

OOPS.  I just re-read your missive.  My solution was for a die that is too short to reach thru the tool head.  Or, depending on cost, I might suggest a Redding Profile Crimp die and go to a separate crimping step.  While I have had excellent results with RCBS Cowboy dies, I have come to prefer separate seating and crimping.  Just me.

Coffinmaker

[Baltimore Ed]

I've shortened dies for different projects with a bench mounted belt/disc sander. Clamp a block on the table to keep it square to the belt or disc. Use fine grit and keep it cool.

[Roscoe]

To get a crimp on 41 Special I followed the advice to use a Hornady die, unmodified. The other 41 Mags I had didn't get it. Since the critical advantage in a Cowboy set, only from RCBS, is having both a larger sizer and expander, use of a different seat/crimp die shouldn't matter.