I just started loading for a 444ss marlin rifle.
I am using speer gold dot 270 grain.
I am using the LEE factory crimp die. The instructions are rather vague, do not really indicate "how much" to crimp.
I loaded some twenty cartridges, crimped them to where I thought it felt right(which really means nothing). Went to the range, they all fired fine. No problems feeding into chamber, no problem ejecting a single case. But when I loaded the magazine, and fired a round, the next cartridge in the magazine is getting "hung up" before entering the chamber. When I work the action, the cartridge snags as I close the action to feed the round into the chamber. If I relax the action(open it slightly), the cartridge will go into the chamber. Is this problem due to the crimping? Any help would be appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by chromosone cowboy:
I just started loading for a 444ss marlin rifle.
I am using speer gold dot 270 grain.
I am using the LEE factory crimp die. The instructions are rather vague, do not really indicate "how much" to crimp.
I loaded some twenty cartridges, crimped them to where I thought it felt right(which really means nothing). Went to the range, they all fired fine. No problems feeding into chamber, no problem ejecting a single case. But when I loaded the magazine, and fired a round, the next cartridge in the magazine is getting "hung up" before entering the chamber. When I work the action, the cartridge snags as I close the action to feed the round into the chamber. If I relax the action(open it slightly), the cartridge will go into the chamber. Is this problem due to the crimping? Any help would be appreciated.

Could it be your OAL is too long?

Chromosone
Cowboy
The Lee factory crimp die, if set to crimp to hard will put some small edges on your case, try to use a lite crimp on the bullet, just so that the case mouth go's into the crimp line. You are just trying to stop the bullet from backing into the case. I never crimp most of my bullets, but I do for my .338 WIN. And you should in rifle if it is tubular magazine. Don't know if this is what is wronge, hope so

243winxb- I am pretty certain the oal length is OK. The length is shorter than the max length listed in speer, and when I ran some dummy rounds through the action and magazine, everything worked fine. It is only after crimping that I am encountering this problem.
6.5 swede- I think i just learned of those "small edges" you speak of. I tried a tighter crimp-did not work out too well. However after crimping it (too much), I ran them through the action and did not experience the hang up. Maybe I have to crimp a little more than I had originally, but a little less than what I just tried??

Hi Chromo,

Could be a couple of things in my opinion.

As mentioned before it could be that your Overal Cartridge Length is too long. This could be by just a minute amount, ensure your cartidges are no longer than a recoomeded lenngth from a reloading manual for this cartridge.

Yes, there are instances where too much crimp can bulge a case causing issues. I also use the Lee FCD's and haven't found this to be much of an issue and on some of the cartridges I use them for such as my .375 H&H loads I put the maximum amount of crimp I can relaize from this Die.

It could also be that you've not chamfered the cases correctly and you've got a "Square" edge on the cases that cause them to hang up. Without chamfering the case to a "knife-edge" are you sure that you taken some of the square edges of the cases when chamfering?

I'm not familiar with the Speer Gold Dot 270 grain bullet you are using. Does it have a cannelure? If so, are you using it as a guideline? These are sometimes & sometimes not correctly placed to ensure a good overall cartridge length?

Hey c c

With the Lee I set it so that the gaps between the collets is almost completely closed. You can look in the top of the die as you crimp and watch the gaps close. A full close and that is too much and less than 1/2 closure seems to not put enough of a crimp on to matter. The handle just begins to toggle a very little bit at the bottom of the stroke with a 7/8 gap closer.

Make sense?

Sounds like you have a feeding problem. Don't know why it would only happen with crimped rounds. The Lee Collet is not supposed to create a bulge like a seating die crimper, even if adjusted to put a heavy crimp on.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerry:
...It could also be that you've not chamfered the cases correctly and you've got a "Square" edge on the cases that cause them to hang up. ...

Just what I was thinking.

Yo Hot C,

Sometimes minds meld from far away.



I've got a Marlin in .44 Magnum and never had any feeding issues with it but I'm kinda particular on how ammo gets assembled, too.

After going through all the hullabaloo above I guess I should have just related that if it was my .444 Marlin I'd be using one of the inexpensive little Lee Trimmer Widgits on those cases to ensure standard length, give'm a good chamfering with the proper tool, continue using the Lee FCD and use a bullet with a cannelure.

The loading gate on the marlin has one screw holding it. IF this screw becomes a little loose, you will get interference between the loading gate and the loading ramp. Check to see if the screw is tight.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerry:
...if it was my .444 Marlin I'd be using one of the inexpensive little Lee Trimmer Widgits on those cases to ensure standard length, give'm a good chamfering with the proper tool, continue using the Lee FCD and use a bullet with a cannelure.

Hey Gerry, We are still on the same track. Only difference is, with my 444Mar XLR I use a regular RCBS Die Set and put a "slight" Roll Crimp into the cannelure.

Good Hunting and clean 1-shot Kills.

H-C,

You're right - good 'ole standard roll crimps work just fine with regular vanilla-flavored Die Sets way before the Lee FCD came along - but I still like 'em.

You'd be suprised at how many of the Marlins (in .444 or 45/70) get good use over here on Driven Hunts for Wild Boar - quick handling, adeqaute stopping power and fast follow-up shots. Only big distraction is having to unload the magazine tube through the action; anyway I digress....

.....where is our Chromazoomed Cowboy to relate if his issue is with his ammo or mechanical?

Hi All, and thanks for the responses. I checked on the chamfer-looked good. Checked the screw on the loading gate-good. Checked everything that was suggested EXCEPT the OAL-everything kosher. Finally, checked the OAL- sure as sh$% the length was 5/100ths of an inch too long. So I decided to seat a few, see what measurements I was coming up with-too long. Finally realized that the head on the screw for the lock ring was stripped-allen wrench just kept going round and round. So the lock ring was loose, which caused erratic seating. I loaded a few, made sure they were 5/100ths under the listed OAL length, crimped them with the lee crimp die- problem solved. Well almost-I called rcbs and they are sending me a couple of new screws. THis isnt the first time that I dismissed the most obvious, should have been the first thing I checked. I measured the first five rounds and they were fine. Of course, once the lock ring started slipping(after the first five I loaded), the OAL became longer.
Thanks very much for all the help.