44mag On Sd

[DEP44]

Hi,

I've been reloading 44Magnum on my SD for years now, and the cases have always looked like the one on the left in the included picture after sizing. I always assumed the chamber of my Desert Eagle caused the cases to expand to much. I was given the 2 cases in the picture by someone, and the one on the right was already sized and deprimed. I ran the case through my SD with the shown result. The one on the left was not sized and deprimed, and ended up with the rim.

Both cases are American Eagle (but other brands end up looking the same). The whole batch of which half was sized and half not look like the 2 cases in the picture. I tried lubing some cases, but they also look the same.

Is there a way to prevent this from happening?

I've been thinking about getting a conversion kit and dieset for my RL550B, but wonder if that would solve the problem.

Edited October 26, 2005 by DEP44

[dillon]

I suspect that either the blue plastic friction plate under the steel toolhead is worn and needs replacing, or else the carbide was pressed in at a slight angle when it was inserted into the die body. Check both in this manner: Take a fired, unsized case, measure the diameter at the case mouth at two places 90 degrees apart from each other. Put the case into the shellplate and pull the handle down. Leaving the handle down, see if the bottom of the size die is touching the top of the shellpalte (it should be). Lift up on the handle, remove the case from the shellplate, and measure the case mouth again. If the case mouth isn't concentric within +/- .001", then the carbide is at a slight angle inside the die. Let me know what you determine.

[DEP44]

dillon,

Thank you for the fast reponse.

First I looked at the blue friction plate - looked like new.

Did the test with the empty case. Bottom of die is far from touching the shellplate.

Also the case isn't really round. It measured 1.144cm to 1.145cm.

Again looked at the blue plate, and noticed thos 3 little blocks around the decapping pin - completely worn.

LOL, been dealing with this issue for 9 years now, always blamed it on the DEP's chamber and it's habit of giving my cases beerbellies, until recently a friend gave me a load of cases, and they caused the same problem.

Again, thank you for your help!

Gr...DEP44.

[dillon]

Contact Dillon to get a replacement blue friction plate. The easiest way to install it is to cut the old one off, press the new one over the die pieces as far as it will go by hand, then bolt the toolhead back onto the top of the frame. This will push the friction plate where it belongs without having to unscrew everything and readjust it all. After reinstallation, using a fired, unsized case, repeat the case mouth measuring. If the sized case is still out of round, then a new size die is in order.

[DEP44]

Hi,

Did a new test: removed the blue friction plate from my .38sp toolhead, and stuck it on the .44 one. The die is now touching the shell holder. First case was unlubed, and showed a tiny rim (way less than before). A 2nd lubed case had no rim. Both case mouths measured 1.135 to 1.160cm in diameter now which is way more than with the worn friction plate. Both cases (IMI) were once fired in a different DE.

What do you think?

Regards,

DEP44.

[dillon]

Sounds like you need both a new friction plate and a new size die. Call us, or e-mail to

our web site.

[DEP44]

Just called Dillon, both the sizing die and the friction plate will ship today.

They even are sending a 2nd friction plate for spare!

Coulnd't be more happy!

DEP44