44wcf Crimp

[Gripmaker]

What sort of crimp do you all use on your 44wcf's and whic do you think is better...roll crimp or Lee Factory crimp? Have both available and wanting to know your thoughts and why.

[Lefty Dude]

I use both. prefer roll for cowboy match short range. LFCD for long range side match and hunting. For some precision long range rounds I will roll crimp first and then a LFCD (Double Crimp). I use Unique for my Smokless Long range shooting, Unique likes a tight crimp.

[KirkD]

I use a Lee Factory Crimp for my 44 cartridges. The roll crimp method is susceptible to bulging the case slightly just below the crimp. Since I have an oversize groove diameter, I size to .431 and a slight bulge can make chambering hard with an oversize diameter bullet, so I prefer the Lee FActory Crimp.

[Gripmaker]

OK, guys, who makes the particular dies you use to roll crimp?  Mine is "OLD" and not marked.

[Lefty Dude]

I have several sets of 44-40 dies. The dies I use the most are the RCBS Cowboy dies, they roll crimp on the seater die. I also have a 1950's early set of RCBS 44-40 dies, they do not roll crimp. The sizer die is a very tight die, sizes the case to .423"-.424".

I reload my CAS/SASS 44WCF rounds on a Dillon Square Deal B progressive press, the die's are made by Dillon and have a seperate roll crimp die.

[w44wcf]

Gripmaker,
I use mostly the seating die to crimp. As Kirk indicated, a roll crimp (depending on the amount) can sometimes make the case slightly larger below the crimp which could result in interference in the chamber neck.

If I want a heavier than normal crimp, I use the Lee FCD since it will not increase the neck diameter below the crimp.

Most bullet seating dies will produce a roll crimp. They can be adjusted to give no crimp to a heavy crimp.

To set the die to seat and crimp in one operation........
1.) Place an empty case into the shellholder and push the press handle down to raise it to the utmost position.
2.) Insert the seating die in the press and turn it down until you feel it touch the top of the case,  then back it off 1/4 turn and lock it in place.
3.) Back off the die seating stem and insert a loaded case into the press.
4.) Adjust the seating stem down until the bullet is seated to the proper depth.
5.) Back off the seating stem at least 1 turn and run the loaded cartridge back into the die.
6.) Turn the seating die back down to touch the case then turn the die down 1/8 turn at a time until the desired crimp is reached.
7.) With the case in the crimped position in the die, turn the seating stem down to firmly touch the bullet. 

The die is now set to seat the bullet and crimp in the same operation.

NOTE:
That being said, there can be certain bullet / crimp combinations that are better achieved by seating and crimping in a separate operation wether using the standard seating die to seat the bullets first then crimping with the seating stem backed out or with the Lee FCD.

w44wcf

[Trailrider]

I have been using RCBS' regular dies since the 1960's, and adjust the seating/crimping dies to produce the maximum roll crimp consistant with NOT bulging the case outward at the base of the crimp. This should be applied to bullets that either have a crimp groove, or with the case mouth crimped into the top grease groove. The Lyman #42798 bullet does NOT have a crimp groove and was designed to put a milder crimp on the ogive (curvature) of the bullet, with the bullet being prevented from being shoved into the case by the BP charge underneath it. Those of us using smokeless, use different bullet designs that have a crimp groove or crimp into the top grease groove.