What does HEAVY roll crimp look like?

[jloehm]

Hey guys.  Working on a stout .44 load with h110 and JHP's.  Of course it calls for a heavy roll crimp for consistant ignition, and I'm starting to question my idea of a heavy crimp.  Last time I shot these was at dusk and noticed a significant difference in the fireball from round to round.  Some rounds didn't even produce one. Accuracy was also sketchy.  So in my mind I consider a heavy crimp to be one where you just see the beginnings of the case mouth flattening to the cannelure.  What does a heavy roll crimp really look like?

[spinafish]

It should look like a factory round..with the edge of the brass pressed into the cannelure.  The Lee Factory Crimp Die is hard to beat for the magnum revolver rounds.

[shot1]

When the case mouth is folded flush with the bottom of the crimping groove is as heavy a crimp as you can put on a round. Any more applied crimp will only disfigure the bullet. With H-110 you also need to be using magnum primers.

[jloehm]

So should the case actually be creased down into the crimp groove (pressed flat)?  I was really trying to avoid this to extend case life,  but if that's what it takes so be it.  Thanks for the suggestion on the factory crimp die,  I'll probably be switching over shortly because I've heard good things.  My load currently breaks down like this:
Cal: .44 mag
Case: Winchester
Primer: CCI 350
Bullet: Nosler 200 JHP/ 200 Hornady XTP (I'm leaning towards the Nosler, the rifle seems to like them)
Powder: H110 28.0 gr. 

[spinafish]

yes..I don't know that it will shorten case life that much..but your powder will burn much more consistantly with a firm crimp.  Learned that years ago with the .45 LC loaded hot. Much better results with heavy crimp.