44 Mag, some rounds won’t chamber

[Laelkhunter]

I have found that straight walled cases (.38 spec, 9mm, .357 mag, .44, .45 acp, etc) don't stretch all that much compared to bottle neck cartridges. I never trim these cases. I do use a taper crimp die on auto pistol cases and Lee factory crimp die on revolver cases. If the bullet does not have a cannelure, then only taper crimp or it could bulge the case.

 

[antelopedundee]

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.

Get a Redding profile crimp die. Seat the bullet so the TOP of the cannelure is even with the case mouth. The die essentially presses the case mouth into the cannelure. IIRC some bullet brands have a more generous crimp groove than do others.

 

[Bhoesl]

I think I’m getting the hang of it now, still just using the seat / crimp combo die but doing it in 2 steps. Was also careful to trim all the brass to the exact length. Just did another 25 rounds and they all chamber just fine.
Thanks for the help everybody!

 

[Elktrack]

I think I’m getting the hang of it now, still just using the seat / crimp combo die but doing it in 2 steps. Was also careful to trim all the brass to the exact length. Just did another 25 rounds and they all chamber just fine.
Thanks for the help everybody!

Nice work. Like 44hunter said, if they hold, you’ve got enough crimp. If not, go a little more. You’re gonna like that 24 gr load.