Gentlemen, I know this isn't the handloading section but also know that many of you shoot revolvers with other than wimp loads; thus my question is directed toward you.

Because of an attractive price and the $75 rebate S&W is offering, I recently acquired a S&W 460V revolver. My handloading has been for single shot handguns or for revolvers with considerably less recoil. The problem I'm having is that the bullets migrate forward out of the cases under recoil despite a firm roll crimp in the bullet cannelure. In fact, the crimp is so firm that if I make it firmer, the case walls wrinkle.

Ideas on how to solve this problem would be appreciated. The cases I'm using are new cases; perhaps friction from the case walls on once fired cases would help. I've also ordered a Lee Factory Crimp Die that may help.

The Lee Factory crimp die will help. That is what I use for mine, and it works great with the hot loads I use in my S&W 460 Mag.

You could always down load it......

What is the hot load that you are using, if you don't mind me asking?

I didn't get a 460 S&W to download it but, you're right, that would work. I'm looking for another solution.

I'm using a heavy and unpublished load of 2400 behind 300 gr. Hornady and Sierra bullets. Considering the SAMI specs for the 460 S&W is 65,000 psi, I don't believe it's an overload (i.e., cases eject very easily, etc.) but it's not conservative either.

I was just kidding - . Have you chronographed that load? I would be curious to know how fast it is........

I haven't chronographed it yet; sometime I will out of curiosity if I can get it to shoot as well as I'd like. It shows promise but the bullet coming out of the case thing is problematic.

quote:

Originally posted by Redhawk1:
The Lee Factory crimp die will help. That is what I use for mine, and it works great with the hot loads I use in my S&W 460 Mag.

+1

I've been using middle of the road data as I've not had mine long and want to grow w/it. Haven't had a problem w/it yet. Recoil hasn't been a major issue as the gun is heavy w/compensator and scope. The flash-bang is more intimidating to me anyway. I use Lee 45LC Factory Crinp die and can see the hump/outline of the bullet heel so its providing tension to the bullet case junction as well as the crimp itself.

I've notice some factory loads in other heavy cartridges (like speer 454casull) use an asphalt sealant between the bullet/case to add gripping power. Ought to be someway for reloaders to do likewise but I've no idea.

Are you seating and crimping in one step? If so, you need to separate the two. Also, make sure your cases are uniform lengths.

Also make sure that you only bell the case mouth enough to seat the bullet easily and no more. The case wall shoulf be sized enough so that you can see the outline of the bullet when seated.

Yeah, one may want to try belling the case mouths with a .44 mag expander.

The cases are minimally belled and are of uniform length. I didn't crimp in 2 steps and frankly, when crimping with a full length sizing die, I don't think there would be any advantage in doing so.

Hopefully, my Lee Factory Crimp Die will be here soon and hopefully crimping with that die will solve my problem.

Frankly, I know there is a benefit to seating and crimping in two different steps, but to each his own. Good luck with your situation.

Putting too hard a crimp with a roll crimp die can also loosen the bullet hold. You are already starting to push the brass down just short of crumpling it.
You might have better luck with just a firm crimp.

I have tried various increments of crimp from fairly firm to as firm as I can get it without crumpling the case. The bullets moved forward under recoil with all increments of crimp.

I think the only answer is the Lee Factory Crimp Die when it arrives or maybe some type of adhesive. Hopefully the latter won't be necessary since I don't have a clue which adhesive would work without gumming my gun up.

Have you checked the diameter your expander plug? If it is too large, you will never get enough neck tension to be effective.

The cases I've using are brand new cases. The only thing I did to them was chamfer the case mouths and seat the bullets. They weren't expanded at all.

That is your problem, new brass HAS to be sized and expanded. You do not have case tension on the bullet. New brass is very close to fired brass.
It also depends on the brand of dies, some have an expander that is too large.

Interesting. I've never sized new brass before. I guess for this handgun I may have to change my ways.

Thanks.

You can tell by sticking your expander in a new case. If it doesn't try to expand the brass but slips right in, the brass needs sized.
I just tried some new brass in several calibers and the cases fell right onto the expander all the way to the flare portion.