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Posted: 3/31/2012 3:08:48 PM EDT
Well, I finally rolled my first 100rnd's of 44 Mag today  (first 100rnds I have ever loaded of any caliber for that matter)
I used: Once fired (Remington?) brass all with matching headstamp RP 44 REM MAG Win 296 powder 23.0 grs Hornady XTP 240gr JHP's Federal Large Magnum Pistol Match primers Seated to OAL 1.610" 
Everything went pretty smoothly and I feel good about my first batch of ammo. My only concern at this point is if I had the die adjusted properly to put a sufficient crimp on the bullets... ? Do you have any pic's you can share or know of a good link to dirrect me to that illustrates various crimps so I can compair to mine (firm crimp is what these rounds call for from what I have read)? I may need to set up the die just to re-crimp them a bit tighter and run the batch through the press one more time for peace of mind. I was just about to try and snap a decent closeup photo to show my crimp, but my camera batt died (figures) 
Thanks in advance |
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Have you chronographed any of this load? I don't crimp any of my 44 mag never had a problem with it of course that doesn't mean I'm right either lol! With the heavier loads you can have the bullets walk out of the cases under recoil and lock up the cylinder |
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Quoted: Have you chronographed any of this load? I don't crimp any of my 44 mag never had a problem with it of course that doesn't mean I'm right either lol! Magnums need a good crimp because recoil can act like a pullet puller and begin to unseat bullets. Win 296 is an EXCELLENT magnum powder, and it needs a good crimp for consistent ignition. OP....it looks like you are off to a good start. |
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Thanks for the pic 
I guess mine are pretty close then... I charged up my camera, but its not easy to get a decent pic that really shows the crimp well. This is about the best shot I could get - http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh264/BodiBuilt/IMG_2436.jpg I use H110, which most recommend a solid crimp for. Yours looks pretty good. I judge by the press handle. I keep adjusting the die to increase the crimp until it starts to feel like I've reached hard point. I then check to make sure the case just after the crimp is not bulging. |
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Thanks for the pic
I guess mine are pretty close then... I charged up my camera, but its not easy to get a decent pic that really shows the crimp well. This is about the best shot I could get - http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh264/BodiBuilt/IMG_2436.jpg I use H110, which most recommend a solid crimp for. Yours looks pretty good. I judge by the press handle. I keep adjusting the die to increase the crimp until it starts to feel like I've reached hard point. I then check to make sure the case just after the crimp is not bulging. Yep, I do the same. |
Guy's, thanks for all the replies and pictures! 
Makes me feel much more confident having something to compair to... I think Im going to load up 50 Hornady XTP 300gr JHP's next while the 44 cal die's are still warm, then I will be moving on to some bottle necked cases 
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Quoted:
Guy's, thanks for all the replies and pictures!
Makes me feel much more confident having something to compair to... I think Im going to load up 50 Hornady XTP 300gr JHP's next while the 44 cal die's are still warm, then I will be moving on to some bottle necked cases What are you shooting them out of? |
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Guy's, thanks for all the replies and pictures!
Makes me feel much more confident having something to compair to... I think Im going to load up 50 Hornady XTP 300gr JHP's next while the 44 cal die's are still warm, then I will be moving on to some bottle necked cases What are you shooting them out of? For now, a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk (1:20" twist I believe?)... but that brings up another interesting question I have been wondering about!
If I was loading with the intension of running them through a lever action (say a Marlin 1894 with a 20" - 1:38" twist barrel for example), would these type of loads still be suitable? |
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Guy's, thanks for all the replies and pictures!
Makes me feel much more confident having something to compair to... I think Im going to load up 50 Hornady XTP 300gr JHP's next while the 44 cal die's are still warm, then I will be moving on to some bottle necked cases What are you shooting them out of? For now, a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk (1:20" twist I believe?)... but that brings up another interesting question I have been wondering about!
If I was loading with the intension of running them through a lever action (say a Marlin 1894 with a 20" - 1:38" twist barrel for example), would these type of loads still be suitable? The Redhawk should be fine. The 300xtp has 2 crimp grooves. Depending on the powder charge, you may have to seat the bullet further out (to the second groove) but the RH has a long enough cylinder to handle it. I don't have the answer on the lever gun. |
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I run a pretty good crimp on my 44 mags now. I had my first batch of 20 reloads and the bullet started to walk.
Im shooting 240 Gr magtechs out of my S&W 629 and IIRC was loading 12 something of Unique. They were full power loads and I started having shell extraction from cylinder problems. Ferocious fireballs too ! |
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I run a pretty good crimp on my 44 mags now. I had my first batch of 20 reloads and the bullet started to walk. Im shooting 240 Gr magtechs out of my S&W 629 and IIRC was loading 12 something of Unique. They were full power loads and I started having shell extraction from cylinder problems. Ferocious fireballs too ! Fireballs and hard extraction are common when loading that far over max |
| Odd I guess I've just been lucky 300gr XTP 12.0gr Blue Dot been using same load for probably 20+ years lol no crimp shoot about a 2 1/2 inch group at 100 yards with Super Redhawk 7 1/4 inch barrel 4x simmons scope. I crimp my 454 stuff just never have 44 guess my loads just weak! Consistent Chrono reading . PS I'm not arguing so don't get on soap boxes just odd, any real explanations might help me understand. I do see there's about 300 fps difference in the two loads which could be the big reason. Thanks in advance for help! |
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