Crimp or not?

[Possum]

I am starting to load 44 Rem Mag for a 10" contender.  Is it best to crimp or not to crimp since it is a single shot?  Does crimping improve accuracy?

Also, how many reloads should I get from the brass.  I know it depends on the pressure of the load and other variables, but GENERALLY speaking how many times?

[BruceP]

The only 44 mag. that I have is a revolver but I would say you should still crimp for your single shot because the powders most used for the 44 mag. seem to work best with a firm crimp. For rifle cartridges in either my bolt guns my SSRs or my Contender I don't crimp but I tend to crimp all handgun cartridges.
BruceP

[KN]

Yes crimp. It will improve your ignition consistency if nothing else.  KN

[Flint]

Another reason to crimp is to reduce powder burning the throat, or in a single shot, the first inch or so of the bore, as the bullet launches too early and the burning powder torches the bore.  It causes excess leading as well.  Very obvious in a revolver, where it will flame cut the topstrap at the cylinder gap.  Bad combination to exaggerate that effect is a light bullet with a slow powder with insufficient crimp.

The number of reloads also depends upon the brand of brass.  Anywhere from one to a dozen in a Magnum.  With mild loads, years.....

[Bullseye]

If you are using a ball powder you need to crimp, but I would crimp with any powders since you are probably using a slow powder that needs a good crimp for good ignition.  I also see this question all the time and the one thing  I wonder about is the fact that you have to crimp a little if you bell the case mouths with the expander die.  I guess a crimp into the groove would not be required though.

I have 44 brass that has been used in my Contender, SRH and Winchester with medium loads.  They are now on loading number nine.