crimp on .357mag and 44mag

[jacks44mag]

I am reloading 357mag with 158g jhp with 17g of h110 and the 44mag 240g xtp 24g h110 What is the factory Or that should the crimp be and how do you measure the crimp
I am using NEF handi rifle for both 357 and 44

[quickdtoo]

You don't need to crimp for the Handi unless you're also shooting the same loads in a handgun.

Tim

[buck460XVR]

I am reloading 357mag with 158g jhp with 17g of h110 and the 44mag 240g xtp 24g h110 What is the factory Or that should the crimp be and how do you measure the crimp
I am using NEF handi rifle for both 357 and 44

You don't need to crimp for the Handi unless you're also shooting the same loads in a handgun.

Tim

I've found that H110/W296 likes a firm crimp for proper and consistent ignition in both revolvers and rifles. Found standard deviations in velocity using H110 in my rifles goes down when using a firm crimp, altho it is not necessary to keep the bullet from moving. Also, accuracy outta my 77/44 is better with a firm crimp using H110/W296 than without...........YEMD.

[mdi]

While it isn't "necessary" to crimp for a single shot, I too, think H110 needs a good/heavy crimp and magnum primers for good consistant ignition. I haven't had any squibs with a heavy crimp and mag primers but have read of them with standard primers. I have 4, .44 magnums and they all shoot loads with heavy crimps no matter what powder and primers I use. Works for me...

[Dill45]

I'd agree with the two above posts, I run magnum primers and a "firm" crimp with H110.

As far as measuring the crimp...I've never seen a real solid method of measuring the crimp...but if you look at factory loads and see their crimps; I'd call those a pretty decent crimp.  If you crimp too much you can buckle the case, not enough and you don't remove the flare on the outside of the case and it won't load properly.

I've been told if you can turn the case upside down (bullet facing the table) and push on the back of the case with your hand, and not have the bullet move, you got a solid crimp.

[yooper77]

Both W296 and H110 powders need a heavy crimp, and magnum primer in every firearm.

I load for 454 Casull in a T/C 12" Encore and I trim all cases to the exact same length and crimp in a separate step.  I achieve perfect performance and awesome accuracy.

I also load 357 Magnum and 45 Colt for Ruger Blackhawks with the same powders with magnum primers using the same heavy trimming, and crimp methods and receive the same great results.

yooper77

[gypsyman]

I use 296/H110 for .357mag-.44MAG AND .445sm. I prefer the Redding profile crimp die for all of them.I use to have problems with the bullet edgeing out some on my revolvers, and tieing up the cylinder. You won't have that problem with a Handi, but I believe you need a good crimp with that powder. Probably don't with a Unique or Bullseye.
Redding Profile crimp, is a combination of a roll and taper crimp. Adjust it down and you can see the taper crimp, and when you can see the start of a roll crimp on the top edge of the brass, you've gone far enough. gypsyman

[HL]

As long as the case is pressed against the bullet, uniformly, during the seating of the bullet, a single shot does not require crimping, even when loading with 296 or 110, which I do. You can try crimping, but you won't notice any difference in the POI to that of non crimped. Just make sure all signs of the bell are removed during or after seating the bullet.

Crimping is only necessary, as stated above, when used in revolvers, to keep the bullet from backing out of the brass while it's still in the cylinder, when a previous round is fired.

I shoot a 44mag in a contender and have never crimped and never had a problem with ignition or grouping. Mine will bore one hole at 50 yards and hold 1-1/2" groups at 100yds, using 315gr hard cast and 296, without a crimp.

[wncchester]

"how do you measure the crimp ..."

So far as "measuring" a crimp, just eyeball a factory round and match it, it's not critical.

My experience matches Mr. HL's.   

[luckydawg13]

I just use my thumb nail to check the crimp i like the lee crimp dies you dont have to crimp for single shots but i do so i dont mix them up