500 Reloading Questions

[Paulinski]

I'm having somewhat of an issue with reloading for my 500.

My load is 500 gr Hornady XTP - 34 grains of 4759 seated to 2.300.

Twice fired brass (Winchester). I loaded 5 rounds last night check for fit in the cylinder - 2 slide in easily the remaining three slide into cylinder until there is 1/8" left to go.

Its really hard to insert the cases. I thought they might be bulged at the bottom but all cases measure the same.

There isa bit of a ring in the cylinder from shooting few rounds seated to 2.000". Would that be a problem?

What is the best way to clean the rings from the cylinder?

Also what could be causing the cases not to slide all the way in without effort.

I'm using both Lee seizer and RCBS.

Thanks in advance.

Paul

 

[Jellybean]

I've never loaded for a .500, but if you are seating and crimping in the same step, don't. Doing it in two seperate steps helps prevent the same problem in any caliber.

 

[Paulinski]

I do seating and crimping as two separate steps.

What confuses me is that come rounds slide right in and some require quite an effort to go the last 1/8" into the cylinder.

 

[duckloads]

Not specific to the 500, but it still applies. I have a 625 in 45 Colt. I clean the gun every 100 roynds or so. This last time I went 200+ rounds between cleanings and experienced what you are talking about. Verify the problem is "charge hole specific" and then clean it. Hoppes No 9 or any good cleaner will help. Try to find a chamber brush for the 500. They are slightly bigger than a bore brush. You'll need a tight fitting brush to clean the chambers. You might even look at some of the muzzel loading or shotgun clenaing brushes.

 

[Jellybean]

I just checked my Hornady manual and it lists the length of their loaded 500gr. XTP bullet at 2.040".

They also list the maximum cartridge overall length as 2.040"

Maybe they're just a little too long.

But they should be too long for all the chambers. Usually there is a problem if you are shooting shorter cases then going to longer ones. With all the cases the same length you shouldn't have that much of a problem. If that is the case please let us know.

 

[OU812]

Originally posted by duckloads:
Not specific to the 500, but it still applies. I have a 625 in 45 Colt. I clean the gun every 100 roynds or so. This last time I went 200+ rounds between cleanings and experienced what you are talking about. Verify the problem is "charge hole specific" and then clean it. Hoppes No 9 or any good cleaner will help. Try to find a chamber brush for the 500. They are slightly bigger than a bore brush. You'll need a tight fitting brush to clean the chambers. You might even look at some of the muzzel loading or shotgun clenaing brushes.

+1 on that
If the carbon is really built up you can clean it with a piece of your empty shell casings.
a} Full Length size one brass
b} bell the case just enough to scrap the sides of the cylinder that has the carbon build up
c} If it is really built up you may tap on the brass to push it in.
d} soak with hobbes and use a brush

 

[DonD]

I might suggest that part of the problem is the brass itself. Hornady brass for the .454 was quite soft and may be soft in the .500 as well. I'd use Starline if I were you. Don

 

[Paulinski]

The load data was provided to me from John Ross.

The cylinder will accommodate 2.300" OAL.

 

[Paulinski]

I think I figured it out. My RCBS crimp / seat die (I was using it to crimp and seating with my Lee seater) was causing the tops of the bullets to deform.

Now I seat with Lee and then re-adjust and crimp with the same die in another step.

I hope that is the issue.

 

[Jellybean]

Thanks for the follow-up. Keep us posted.

I've never looked at a .500 cylinder and wasn't sure how they made them. While a cylinder might be able to seat a cartridge that is 2.300" OAL, the leade might not allow every bullet style to do so. I wasn't sure if that was the case with yours or not. Thanks.

 

[Redhawk1]

Originally posted by Paulinski:
I think I figured it out. My RCBS crimp / seat die (I was using it to crimp and seating with my Lee seater) was causing the tops of the bullets to deform.

Now I seat with Lee and then re-adjust and crimp with the same die in another step.

I hope that is the issue.

That sounds like a cause. I also crimp in a separate process with my 500 Mag, I had Lee make me a crimp die, it works great, and I don't have a problem with the bullet getting deform. Well over 6000 rounds loaded up and not one problem.

 

[John R]

Originally posted by duckloads:
Try to find a chamber brush for the 500. They are slightly bigger than a bore brush. You'll need a tight fitting brush to clean the chambers. You might even look at some of the muzzel loading or shotgun clenaing brushes.

58 cal muzzle loader brass bush works great for cleaning the cylinder of the 500.

 

[holdenart]

reload

I just checked my Hornady manual and it lists the length of their loaded 500gr. XTP bullet at 2.040".

They also list the maximum cartridge overall length as 2.040"

Maybe they're just a little too long.

But they should be too long for all the chambers. Usually there is a problem if you are shooting shorter cases then going to longer ones. With all the cases the same length you shouldn't have that much of a problem. If that is the case please let us know.

i do not no but when you buy Winchester bullets and oal is 1.120 and you measure them they are 1.150 why thank you if you can help

 

[Kilibreaux]

I think I figured it out. My RCBS crimp / seat die (I was using it to crimp and seating with my Lee seater) was causing the tops of the bullets to deform.

Now I seat with Lee and then re-adjust and crimp with the same die in another step.

I hope that is the issue.

BINGO! I just found this post and was about to suggest you "mic" the loaded rounds across the neck just aft of the roll crimp. While a good crimp is a must for the .500, like any other cartridge, too much of a "good thing" can cause the case to bulge at the crimp. A Factory "radial" type crimp die would be nice, or you can follow-up the crimp operation by running the loaded round into the sizing die JUST ENOUGH to get the rounded portion of the crimp into the die body...basically 3/16-1/4" to reform the case without transferring the compression to the entire bullet shank. Full length sizing of loaded rounds should not be done because you're basically squeezing the bullet inside the case and lessening or eliminating the case neck tension caused by the case inside diameter being slightly undersize when the bullet is seated.
Also, as a previous poster stated, you want to seat and crimp separately.
Also, consider a Lee Factory Crimp die - currently listed on their website as available for $25. The FCD squeezes the case radially so their is no downward force vector on the brass during crimping. FCD also work whether the brass length is uniform or not.

 

[crsides]

Saw your post title and honestly thought you had FIVE HUNDRED questions about reloading.


Charlie

 

[Nevada Ed]

Glad that 4759 works for you.....

I use it in my 22-25- and 30-06 for minimum target loads.
I thought at first you were joking about using that powder.

Does it really work ok ?

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Will a Hornady taper crimp die work like the Lee FCD?

I just loaded my first 460 mag workups over the weekend. I seated and crimped in separate steps.

#1: seated
#2: Back out seater and roll crimp with seating die
#3: install taper crimp die and crimp again.

Is this correct?

 

[Kilibreaux]

Will a Hornady taper crimp die work like the Lee FCD?

I just loaded my first 460 mag workups over the weekend. I seated and crimped in separate steps.

#1: seated
#2: Back out seater and roll crimp with seating die
#3: install taper crimp die and crimp again.

Is this correct?

No, a taper crimp die is quite a different thing. Taper crimping is primarily inteded for autopistol cartridges which must headspace on the case neck. Taper crimping is GREAT for preventing an autoloading cartridge from becoming deep-seated during chambering because the neck is slightly dug into the bullet shank, however a taper crimp is very much NOT like "runnin' her back through the sizer" as a means to gain a firm hold on the bullet by the case, because doing that causes the bullet to be swaged smaller and actually loosens the case "grip" on the bullet. Using a size die to "taper crimp" by running the upper portion of the loaded round it has been done and does work but it's not as uniform as using a taper crimp die unless one is experienced and has a very good understanding of all the why's and wherefores of all the non-standard stuff experienced loaders do.

The Lee FCD uses an insert "collet" that slides up and down. The bottom sticks out and the other end is divided into "fingers" that compress inward as the sliding collet is pushed deeper into the die body by the ram contact. Thus all crimping pressure is applied lateral to the direction of movement which means no bulging below the crimp. A Factory Crimp Die can apply enough force to crimp into non-cannelured bullets which is a GOOD thing when faced with loading non-cannelured rifle rounds that will see action in an AR, or when loading bottleneck pistol rounds like the .357 Sig and .400 Corbon where the ONLY thing holding that bullet in place is the quality of tension.crimp on the bullet.
I've been using roll crimps on my .500 loads for awhile now but after seeing your post I checked the Lee factory outlet site and found they had FCD "overruns" for the .500 in stock and ready to ship so I ordered one for myself...I'd advise you to order one asap since it is NOT a stock item and to have Lee custom make one would cost you about double the current sale price.

p.s. Most who try a FCD swear by them forever after...they are the veritable "cat's meow," the "quintessential" crimping choice for discerning loaders...they don't use such a crimp on factory ammo for no reason.

 

[Jellybean]

i do not no but when you buy Winchester bullets and oal is 1.120 and you measure them they are 1.150 why thank you if you can help

holdenart, Hi, I just found your question, I didn't even remember answering this post.

Anyway, if your OAL is too long, the first thing I'd check is the case trim length. If it is too long, the OAL will be too long too.

Second would be if the powder is being compressed in the case it may push the bullet out a little, especially with tapered crimps.

And third, is that if you seating in a cannalure the bullet may not have been designed for the case you are using.

If you can provide more details about what bullet, what caliber and what loading data you are using, I might be able to give you more information.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Ok,

But I have a question: Why does Hornady include their taper crimp die in a 460 die set? This would make a total of 4 dies in the set. The set has the typical seating/roll crimp die, and then there is a 4th taper crimp die.

Thank you for the advice thus far.

And thank you to the OP for allowing my brief digression from your original topic.