44 Mag, some rounds won’t chamber

[Bhoesl]

This is my first time loading a pistol cartridge, always just rifle in the past. I loaded up 24 rounds of 44 magnum.
240gr bullet, 21 - 24gr of H110 (6 rnds each in 1gr increments)
Out of the 24 rounds there were a few that won’t chamber all the way. They’ll only slide about half way into the cylinder. Did I not have the die set right? But the rest all chambered and shot just fine? Here’s a couple photos of one of the rounds that won’t chamber.
Thanks!!

 

[HandgunHunter]

Looks like you are seating and crimping in one step. And trying to crimp way too much.

Front of the case looks enlarged.

 

[El Jason]

Looks like you are seating and crimping in one step. And trying to crimp way too much.

Front of the case looks enlarged.

I was going to point out the excessive crimp as well. Might be slightly bulging the case with the excessive crimp.

 

[Caseknife]

Yep, case is crimped too much and has compressed the case causing it to bulge out. You need one of these, https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018249683?pid=429532

Read through the instructions with the dies again. Three die set or four die set? Some of the straight wall pistol die sets have a separate carbide crimp die that will smooth out the cartridge on the down stroke.

 

[Bhoesl]

Looks like you are seating and crimping in one step. And trying to crimp way too much.

Front of the case looks enlarged.

Thanks for the reply, you’re right I did seat and crimp at the same time, guess I didn’t realize that wasn’t proper. I just have a seat/crimp die, no separate crimp die. Do I just back the crimp part of the die all the way out, seat all the rounds, then adjust it back down and crimp them?
I’ll try for less of a crimp next time, thank you for pointing that out.

 

[Bhoesl]

Yep, case is crimped too much and has compressed the case causing it to bulge out. You need one of these, https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018249683?pid=429532

Read through the instructions with the dies again. Three die set or four die set? Some of the straight wall pistol die sets have a separate carbide crimp die that will smooth out the cartridge on the down stroke.

3 die set. I’ll try for less of a crimp next time I guess.

 

[jimh406]

Not all bullets are the same diameter. I see this more commonly with less expensive bullets. Sometimes larger ones won't chamber if you seat them the same as smaller ones.

I'm assuming you are full length resizing.

 

[MTLabrador]

Unfortunately the standard RCBS seat and crimp all in one is really prone to doing this. I should get a Lee factory crimp die, but I’m cheap so I just seat and crimp in two separate steps with the RCBS die.

Get some 240 grain cast SWCs and Unique and you’ll have some seriously fun big bore revolver shooting.

 

[Bhoesl]

Not all bullets are the same diameter. I see this more commonly with less expensive bullets. Sometimes larger ones won't chamber if you seat them the same as smaller ones.

I'm assuming you are full length resizing.

Yes, full-length resized all the cases. All were loaded with the same bullets. Only a few wouldn’t chamber even though everything was done exactly the same with each round, to the best of my limited knowledge.

 

[Dan O]

Some of your cases may be a little over length. Might be a good time to get your case trimmer out and make them all the same length. That way the crimp will be consistent for all your cases.

 

[Bhoesl]

Some of your cases may be a little over length. Might be a good time to get your case trimmer out and make them all the same length. That way the crimp will be consistent for all your cases.

That’s a good point. I had not trimmed the length on them. I will do that next time.

 

[44hunter45]

Easiest and cheapest solution is a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die. Crimps and irons out the bulge in one step.

I gave up seating and crimping in a single step long ago. Seat to depth, then use a Lee Factory crimp die. The LFC die puts no downward force on the case, so no bulge.

For heavy magnum loads I use a "neckdown" crimp. This is a modified roll crimp. I still follow up with the Lee die to iron everything nice and flat.

 

[44hunter45]

That’s a good point. I had not trimmed the length on them. I will do that next time.

Trimming can be a big deal depending on your individual revolver. Stretched cases and a carbon ring buildup in your chambers can run up pressure quickly.

Your Blackhawk should be pretty forgiving, but YMMV.

 

[Bhoesl]

Does this look like a better crimp, or is this now not enough?

 

[44hunter45]

Does this look like a better crimp, or is this now not enough?

A great start. Trim and then adjust your seat die to hit the cannelure as high as possible, but you want to see little bit of the knurl. This gives you the most wiggle room as far as getting a good crimp and not bulging the case.

We get the bugle because there is nowhere for the brass to move into if we are not in the grove. Also just from over-crimping.

As far as being enough - If the bullet doesn't jump, it's enough. If that is the 240 XTP, does it have the second cannelure like the 300 grain? Ruger cylinders are long and the second crimp grove can do some magic by opening up some more case capacity.

 

[Bhoesl]

A great start. Trim and then adjust your seat die to hit the cannelure as high as possible, but you want to see little bit of the knurl. This gives you the most wiggle room as far as getting a good crimp and not bulging the case.

We get the bugle because there is nowhere for the brass to move into if we are not in the grove. Also just from over-crimping.

Thank you. I’ll keep playing with trying to get the right seating depth and crimp with this die for now but I will definitely consider ordering one of the carbide factory crimp dies you mentioned.

 

[44hunter45]

Thank you. I’ll keep playing with trying to get the right seating depth and crimp with this die for now but I will definitely consider ordering one of the carbide factory crimp dies you mentioned.

They are less than $20. I used nothing but RCBS seat/crimp dies for years, so I'm not saying you have to have it. It will make your product better though.

 

[Elktrack]

A great start. Trim and then adjust your seat die to hit the cannelure as high as possible, but you want to see little bit of the knurl. This gives you the most wiggle room as far as getting a good crimp and not bulging the case.

We get the bugle because there is nowhere for the brass to move into if we are not in the grove. Also just from over-crimping.

As far as being enough - If the bullet doesn't jump, it's enough. If that is the 240 XTP, does it have the second cannelure like the 300 grain? Ruger cylinders are long and the second crimp grove can do some magic by opening up some more case capacity.

This is spot on.
Also, Trim length has to be uniform in order to get consistent crimps. The first picture you posted looks like your crimping too low in the cannelure but it’s hard to tell from pic. Like he said, as long as the bullets aren’t moving your good. Guys over crimp thinking it takes a heavier crimp than it actually does. If your brass is same length, you can set up the die and run em. Random lengths are a problem. This is all the heavier I crimp. 24gr 296 240XTP

 

[jimh406]

All were loaded with the same bullets.

My point is the manufacturing process can cause diameter differences in the bullets. It doesn't take much difference. Likewise, case wall thickness can vary as well.

 

[kodiakisland]

When you are reloading, use your cylinder as a go/no go gauge. Your loaded round should easily drop in.
When I only loaded for Rugers I could be pretty sloppy on my crimp. When I started loading for FA, I had to get good at it.

First thing you have to do is make sure you are crimping in the cannelure and not below it. Don't crimp enough to bulge the case. You also don't want to bell the case mouth any more than needed to start the bullet.
I prefer doing it in two steps for the FA revolvers but can easily do it in one for Rugers.