.500 S&W Crimping

[hhudson]

I don’t currently load for anything that requires a crimp but I’m doing 100 .500 S&W rounds for my dad’s .500. My Lyman manual says in the .500 S&W section “a heavy roll crimp should be used to prevent bullet jump and allow for complete ignition of the slow burning powders used.” But even in the handgun reloading section I don’t see any description or picture of what a sufficient roll crimp would look like.

Just want to get a couple eyes on these and see if I need to add more crimp. I know the pictures aren’t great but I think it’s good enough.

Using a Lee die that says it can do from a slight taper to a full roll crimp.

New Starline LRP brass
Federal 210 LRP
350gr Sierra Sports Master JHP
50.0gr CFE BLK

 

[SeabeeKen]

Id put a bit more on them. More is better for artillery. Dont want the bullets to walk out during the huge recoil impulse.
I crimp my 454 intil it flattens the case in the crimp groove slightly. Lee crimp die is awesome

 

[snowsnake]

Measure the length of one round then load it with a cylinder full and fire all but the one you measured. Remeasure it and see if the bullet moved and work from there.

 

[hhudson]

Ran some more crimp and I think we’re good to go. Thanks!

 

[DHD]

I agree with Seabeeken about the Lee FCD, especially on revolver cartridges.

I have never loaded the 500 (and never will), but heavy 454, 45 Colt, 44 Magnum, etc do need a good heavy crimp. That cheap for what it does Lee FCD does a taper and a roll crimp.

Not sure how long your Dad has had his 500 (a S&W?), but I remember seeing many 454 FA 83's for sale with a partial box of ammo included, years back. I think that is how mine made its way to me. A good friend of mine bought it and it looked just about new, even with the old style box in great shape.

 

[WV Hitman]

I've loaded my .500 Taurus Raging Bull & Smith with only Lee dies using many different bullets. Never had a problem with the "cheap" (ha!ha!) Lee dies.

 

[hhudson]

I agree with Seabeeken about the Lee FCD, especially on revolver cartridges.

I have never loaded the 500 (and never will), but heavy 454, 45 Colt, 44 Magnum, etc do need a good heavy crimp. That cheap for what it does Lee FCD does a taper and a roll crimp.

Not sure how long your Dad has had his 500 (a S&W?), but I remember seeing many 454 FA 83's for sale with a partial box of ammo included, years back. I think that is how mine made its way to me. A good friend of mine bought it and it looked just about new, even with the old style box in great shape.

I’ll look into a dedicated crimp die for the next batch. It’s the original 8 3/8” barrel S&W from probably 20 years ago. As I’m sure is the case with most of these pistols he doesn’t shoot it much so these 100 rounds should last years.

 

[funflyer]

I started with a Lee die set but didn't like the crimp die because it was typical Lee precision and shaved brass from the case mouth. Replaced with an RCBS crimp die and life is good. 500 mag brass is too expensive for Lee dies.

P.S. CFE-BLK is a great powder and all I use in 500Mag.

 

[243winxb]

.004" neck tension is needed. Measure OD before and after seating bullets. Has OD gotter larger by .004" or more?