For several years I have been loading 44 mag loads for a Contender. All that time I have been taper crimping those loads just to get a little better burn. Since I didn't have to worry about the bullets creeping out and locking the gun up, I figured a taper crimp was adequate. The main reason for going the taper crimp route was so I had a little leeway with case length.



Well, I now own a S&W Model 29 I'm going to load for.

Needless to say, bullets moving out under recoil and locking up the cylinder is a real possibility.

I own a seperate taper crimp die for the 44 but I don't have a second seat die in order to roll crimp in a seperate step without adjusting the die. (I refuse to seat and crimp in the same step.) I load on an RCBS Ammomaster and I hate to have to take out the seat die, adjust it, and put it in my single stage just to crimp.



Is a taper crimp sufficient for 44 mag loads in a revolver?



My gut feeling is that the answer is NO. I think that until I get a seperate roll crimp die (or a second seat die) to put in the fifth station I will just have to deal with the hassle. Perhaps a Lee crimp die?

I have never used one but I know many of you have good thing to say about those dies.

I want to get 2 complete sets of dies so I can load 44 special and magnum, without having to adjust the dies everytime I want to switch over.



So is my gut feeling right? Trim all the cases to the same length, and roll crimp them, or is a taper crimp sufficient?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this.



Edit: I forgot to mention I'm loading cast bullets. Lyman 429421's and RCBS 44-250's.

I would buy a Redding profile crimp die, the Best period.

Circumstances determine what kind of crimp I use in my 44's. I've got a 4" barreled Model 29 that I use 10grs. of Unique in which I consider a fairly mild load and as a result I use a light crimp. On the other hand I use a case full of 296 under a 300gr cast bullet that I use a heavy crimp in a 9" barreled SRH. This is to insure consistant ignition and to keep the bullets from jumping the crimp. JMO

When it comes to crimping straight walled pistol calibers there is only 1 die I use, the Lee Factory Crimp Die. They are inexpensive, and you cannot buckle a case with them. Once you use one you will buy them for all your handgun, and rifle calibers. I did. The really nice thing about the straight walled pistol Factory Crimp Dies is they have a Carbide sizer ring that assures the loaded round will chamber in any gun. You simply cannot beat it. Bill T.

Two things are necessary to provide proper ignition of slow burning powders and prevent bullet movement. A good crimp ,taper crimp is ok, too much crimp may effect accuracy. The case must also grip the bullet tightly.For example you may have an expander made for a lead .430 lead bullet , that may not grip a jacketed .429 bullet well enough.

Matt, I'm with you regarding seat/crimp as separate operations. I don't use a progressive except for shotshells so I've never pondered the problem you face. FWIW, I have used a taper crimp for soft lead paper patch in both a 77/44 and Redhawk. In my sampling of two it worked fine, bullet weight 300 gr.,pure lead, your mileage may vary, etc. Load was 17.0 gr. Li'l Gun, 1500 fps+ from the rifle. I saw no evidence of OAL change in either gun and I consider the crimp I used to be moderate at best.

Just a guess on my part but I'd generally suggest a roll crimp for the .44 or other heavy recoil combos unless you are willing to explore your specific gun and load in that regard. I would NOT pass taper crimp ammo to a friend without evaluation for their gun. I used to crimp and seat as one operation for years too, then one day I tried it separately. Never went back afterwards...

I use the Redding profile crimp die for medium and heavy 44 loads, seating the bullet on station 3 of my Dillon 550, and crimping on station 4. I've never had a problem with bullet jump with the heavy loads, and a good crimp on the med loads reduces the velocity spread enough to be worthwhile, shrinking groups slightly. The profile crimp die applies a taper and roll crimp. Only downside is the case length needs to be fairly uniform. All cases within 0.005" of each other is my personal criteria.

John

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm going to order a Redding profile crimp die for my 44 mag. I think I will use the taper crimp die I already have for my 44 special loads. It should be good for those lighter loads.

I hope every one is having a good holiday weekend.