Gas check dislodging concern

[357Maximum]

Question about a concern. I have some .360 sized GC LBT bullets for shooting in my .357max.
I crimp these in a Lee crimp die. It is somewhat difficult to ram the cartridge into the die because of the .360 bullet diameter. I have to exert quite a bit of force in order to get the bullet into the die. My concern is; Is it possible that the gas check could be forced off of the bullet inside the case due to the excessive pressure required to penetrate the die?
I believe this die must have an ID of around .362” at the collar which is pinching the case in effect resizing the cartridge.

What are your thoughts on this theory / concern?

[Rocky Raab]

It is possible. Because the neck enters the die from the top down, the die creates the equivalent of the way your bowels work: stuff gets pushed along by contraction of the walls.

So it is possible that the gas check may get pushed off. Pulling a few bullets to find out wouldn't prove anything, because pulling them back through the neck might in fact unseat the gas check by itself.

The only way to really determine if the gas check is still in place after the crimping stage would be to x-ray them. That's hardly feasible.

I'd see if the Lee folks (or a good machinist) could open up the walls of the crimp die a few thousandths. That wouldn't affect the crimp action at all and would relieve your tight fit problem.

[357Maximum]

Originally posted by Rocky Raab
It is possible. Because the neck enters the die from the top down, the die creates the equivalent of the way your bowels work: stuff gets pushed along by contraction of the walls.

That is quite possibly the most disturbing analogy I've ever heard.:eek: ;)

The actual ID of the crimp die is .376". When I don't use them in the CD they don't chamber as well. I'm hoping my next round of tests don't show any signs of the dislodging.

[Rocky Raab]

Thank you. Every writer strives to grab his reader's attention!

[357Maximum]

Originally posted by Rocky Raab
Thank you. Every writer strives to grab his reader's attention!

Mission accomplished. :D I guess the "pin" is mightier than the sword, especially if it's in a grenade.:D

Oh, I guess thats a different pen.