Reloading problem w/ .41 mag

[joem]

I starting loading .41 mag today but I changed from a SWC to a JHP and started crushing cases. The first 3 came out alright then crush time. Checked my die setup and it didn't help. Took my seat and crimp die apart and it had a heavy lead ring inside. Took quite a bit cleaning and a screw driver and mallet to remove it. I guess it's a good idea to take apart your dies esp if you load lead.

[barretcreek]

Lyman makes a special two diameter belling die recommended for loading lead.

[Litt'le Lee]

die #2

you need to bell your cases more

[Sunray]

"...had a heavy lead ring inside..." Lube gunk, not lead. Dies need periodic cleaning no matter what bullet you use.

[joem]

Sun, it was lead. I hammered the lead ring out of it. Reassembled the die and no problems.

[Former Cav]

I use a 12 gage shotgun bore brush for this purpose on all my dies. works great. Clean the press EVERY time you are done and it saves a lot of time in the long run.

BTW...what kind of load are you doing for your 41.
I have a S&W model 57 with the 8-3/8 barrel and target sights in blue. (looks like black chrome depending on the lighting). I've used 2400 powder mostly, maybe even exclusively now that I think about it.

[barretcreek]

I'll be running Lil'gun for my max loads and Bluedot for the practice stuff when I get set up.

[Hefights]

You might be getting more resistance from the jacketed and they crush. If there is that much lead, I think all this adds up to the cases are too tight. As stated bell the case mouths more and in the process hopefully you will get normal seating.

In many, many years of reloading lead pistol bullets, never had the die "lead" like that. They get dirty with lube and shavings or particles, but no leading.

What brand of dies?

[joem]

I use a 12 gage shotgun bore brush for this purpose on all my dies. works great. Clean the press EVERY time you are done and it saves a lot of time in the long run.

BTW...what kind of load are you doing for your 41.
I have a S&W model 57 with the 8-3/8 barrel and target sights in blue. (looks like black chrome depending on the lighting). I've used 2400 powder mostly, maybe even exclusively now that I think about it.

I'm loading 215 ge SWC from Mo Bullet with AA # 9. Very accurate and better than JHP's I tried.

[joem]

[QUOTE=Hefights;414894]You might be getting more resistance from the jacketed and they crush. If there is that much lead, I think all this adds up to the cases are too tight. As stated bell the case mouths more and in the process hopefully you will get normal seating.

In many, many years of reloading lead pistol bullets, never had the die "lead" like that. They get dirty with lube and shavings or particles, but no leading.


I have Hornady die set and several different head stamps. I shoot the 57 a lot, maybe 150 -200 rounds a week. A little leading over time really builds up.

[oldtirediron]

Recently had the same problem with a 9mm Carbide die! Bought a slightly used Dillon Super 1050, and first thing started crushing Nickel 9mm cases right off ! Was kind of confused even when I took the die out, didn't see any obstruction even after I looked inside!! I stuck a cleaning brush inside and what do you think came out?? A brass ring from a 9mm case about 3/8 of an inch long-Had probably broken off of a 9mm case and stuck into the die! The guy that I bought this machine from gave up and thought it was junk!! So I got a good deal and he went back to the old RCBS ! I even had looked inside with an otoscope and the brass was pressed into the die so tightly that you could not see it, and it only came out with a 45 caliber stainless bore brush with a severe twisting motion !

[joem]

That die set has loaded way more than 2 or 3 thousand rounds. Had no problem loading lead bullets. I guess I should clean my dies more often.