Pistol reloading issues

Dusted some dies off and loaded some 41mag and .454 casul. Having an occasional issue where the brass crinkles. I’ve checked the brass length, within tolerance. Doesn’t happen every time. Both sets of dies are RCBS, I’ve used them successfully in the past. The seating die also crimps. Should I do that in two steps? Seat a batch, and follow with a crimp? I’m perplexed. I realize the .454 isn’t seated to the cannelure.

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Originally Posted by Dalo

Dusted some dies off and loaded some 41mag and .454 casul. Having an occasional issue where the brass crinkles. I’ve checked the brass length, within tolerance. Doesn’t happen every time. Both sets of dies are RCBS, I’ve used them successfully in the past. The seating die also crimps. Should I do that in two steps? Seat a batch, and follow with a crimp? I’m perplexed. I realize the .454 isn’t seated to the cannelure.

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In order to crimp consistently all your brass need to be the same length. I rarley crimp for that reason, but if you must I guess the Lee factory crimp die is the bee's knees.


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Try backing your die out and adjusting your seater stem in deeper. Crimp in a separate step.


JTD

I always seat and crimp in separate operations.

Thank you, I’m slowing down. Measuring each piece carefully, that seems to solve my issue. Sorry to confess that I don’t have a case trimmer yet. Actually I have an old one that was my dad’s. I bet I could buy the missing pieces and put it into service!


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I don't see any mention of flaring the brass before charging/seating.
I've had the same problem when I didn't flare the case or used too much crimp.

I can see two possible causes. Number one could be not flailing the case mouth before sweating the bullet and the other is crimping too soon.