Lee Factory Crimp 45/70 for .450 Marlin?

[K.K]

Hello Everyone,

I have had some issues in the past buckling cases for my .450 Marlin. I switched die brands, and many of the problems have gone away, but every once in a while, I ruin a few cases while crimping.  I like the idea of the Lee Factory Crimp Die. They make one in 45/70, but not .450 Marlin (to my knowledge). Given that they are the same diameter case (without the belt of course), would this Lee die work for my Marlin?  I would appreciate any insight.  Thanks!

K.K

[blpenn66502]

It wouldn't be straight forward to make it work.  The Lee Factory Crimp is actuated when the base of the crimping sleeve (for lack of a better term) contacts the shell holder.  The only way I could see to make it work for the .450 would be to counter bore the sleeve to allow it to clear the belt or to make a sleeve that you could drop over the case and rest on the shell holder to give the crimping sleeve a solid reference point.  I don't think you could reliably use the belt to actuate the crimp.  Best, Brian

[PaulS]

Hello Everyone,

I have had some issues in the past buckling cases for my .450 Marlin. I switched die brands, and many of the problems have gone away, but every once in a while, I ruin a few cases while crimping.  I like the idea of the Lee Factory Crimp Die. They make one in 45/70, but not .450 Marlin (to my knowledge). Given that they are the same diameter case (without the belt of course), would this Lee die work for my Marlin?  I would appreciate any insight.  Thanks!

K.K

Are you trimming your cases to the same length?

[Lone Star]

For $29 Lee will make a custom crimp die for your cartridge.

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1217879371.3380=/html/catalog/custom.html#CUSTOMFC


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[K.K]

Thanks for the responses, fellas!

To answer the above question, I do trim all cases before their first loading. I think that the switch to the new dies has solved the problem. I am getting exceptional accuracy from my handloads, and I like to shoot it, but I was ruining too many of these expensive cases. I think that I am all set!  Thanks for the tips.

K.K

[gypsyman]

Good place to ask this question. Just what is the factory crimp die? I'm trying to figure out how many ways there are, to crimp as bullet. As far as I know, there is a taper crimp, which is what is used on most semi-auto stuff. There is a roll crimp, used on revolver ammo, military crimp, and what Redding calls a Profile Crimp. Which is basically a combination of a taper and a roll crimp. I'm not trying to get an argument started, or a pissing contest on who makes the best dies. I'm just really trying to understand how the brass can be crimped, any other way. Thanks-gypsyman

[blpenn66502]

Lee's factory crimp can best be described as a collet crimp.  As the crimp is applied, the four collet fingers close leaving a distinctive look to the finished round.  It is claimed that this type of crimping results in improved concentricity resulting in better accuracy potential.  Also, case length is not supposed to be as critical with this type of crimp.  I have some and have used them from time to time but I haven't been able to tell any accuracy difference myself yet.  Best, Brian

[gypsyman]

Thanks-I can understand how it works now.  gypsyman