I just received the new RCBS .44 AMP dies and, while I haven't used them yet, I like what I see.
1. There are 2 stems included for the seating-die - 1 round-nose profile and 1 flat-nose; I'll probably be using the latter exclusively as I load XTP HPs and RNFP lead bullets.
2. In addition, the seating die is also a taper-crimp die - yay, no separate purchase needed. To be frank, I'd actually forgotten to check for that when I ordered the dies...
3. As we're all aware, the sizing die has a tungsten-carbide insert and I'll size some cases shortly and take measurements.
@andyc I just received mine yesterday also. Now it is Eenie Meenie Miny Moe, Now which one do I use? I have used the Original 4 die set and really like the Taper Crimping as a final step and separate from seating. Just something about inserting and crimping at the same time is weird for me. I have used the Hornady dies and well lets say they make a decent paper weight. Neck tension issue.
I think I will load up 10 rounds to start, with the carbo dies and seater-crimper. 10 using the carbo sizer and seater and use the original crimper as a 4th step at the end. Then measure out the two loads and compared them to the 50 I made with the originals dies. The true test will be how they shoot. I don't have any expectation just curious.
~T
I have used the Original 4 die set and really like the Taper Crimping as a final step and separate from seating. Just something about inserting and crimping at the same time is weird for me.
Many feel the same way and use the seating-die only to seat and a separate crimp, particularly in progressive presses, to avoid shaving the bullet - I do the same for my .45acp in my AP LnL press. At least you can still do it that way - you have the options 🙂
FWIW just because I can, I use the stand-alone taper crimp die from an old RCBS four-die set in the fourth station of my Dillon press, and seat in the third station using the combined seat/crimp die from the three-die set, with the die body raised so there is no crimping action.
It would be interesting to compare results versus just using the three-die set as designed, with the crimping and seating taking place at the same time. Literally billions of rounds in many calibers have been loaded like that over the years and nobody seems to complain about the results?
In my experience, Hornady One Shot works fine for easy to size cases but I would not use it for AMP's.
I'm not familiar with Minute Lube.
Imperial Sizing Die Wax is by far the best but a PITA to use and clean up. I have used a lot of it on hard to size cases though.
I have mostly used Lee Resizing Lube for AMP's that comes in a tooth paste tube and is water soluble. Easy to use and clean up. I have had cases that feel like they are starting to stick so I pull them out and add a little more lube and then they will go in fully. It seems like once you get the dies well lubed that things start to go easy.
I have had rifle cases that I could not size normally and I had to go to the Imperial Wax. Good luck.
I agree 100% with your selection of case lubes. Most rifle cases I can get away with Hornady one shot. Hard to size cases or case forming demand Imperial Sizing wax or Hornady Unique. As some of you have mentioned, I also got a case stuck about a year ago from trying One Shot with 475 Wildey cases; thankful I had an RCBS stuck case remover to get it out. The 475 cases sized so hard that I actually had to size them in 2 stages with Imperial Wax. First sizing I could only go about half the case length and then had to remove them and rewax. The chamber in my Wildey must be incredibly oversized because after the first size the case developed a slight bottleneck. The second sizing created a nearly uniform case.
I met Jason Hornady Thursday at an event that was hosted by one of our largest and oldest gun dealers here in Huntsville, AL. He noticed my Auto Mag logo on my polo shirt and asked about it, saying he didn’t realize that they were in production or even around anymore. I assured him that they were back now and even better and still in demand and mentioned to him that there needed to be another source for .44amp bullets.
Very nice and funny guy too.
Also just received my die set and Turret Press from RCBS. I’m just planning on doing some limited reloading, not having a full bench setup like I used to have.
As others have suggested in past threads, why not just use a garden variety 30-06 full length sizer die to maintain case taper without having to spend ridiculous $400+ auction prices on old original RCBS 4 die sets? Then the only specific 44 AMP Die you would need is the taper crimp. Is anyone doing this?
Since the new RCBS 44 AMP Carbide sizer sizes the whole case to uniform diameter, how is this any different than a 44 Magnum Carbide sizer? It would fun to measure the differences in the sized cases. I thought the big deal with 44 AMP sizer dies was maintaining the case taper but apparently RCBS thinks it's a now a straight wall case?
As others have suggested in past threads, why not just use a garden variety 30-06 full length sizer die to maintain case taper without having to spend ridiculous $400+ auction prices on old original RCBS 4 die sets? Then the only specific 44 AMP Die you would need is the taper crimp. Is anyone doing this?
Since the new RCBS 44 AMP Carbide sizer sizes the whole case to uniform diameter, how is this any different than a 44 Magnum Carbide sizer? It would fun to measure the differences in the sized cases. I thought the big deal with 44 AMP sizer dies was maintaining the case taper but apparently RCBS thinks it's a now a straight wall case?
I actually tried sizing a 44 AMP fired case with a 44 Rem Mag carbide sizer and at least my die sized it way under what would work in hand loading.
You can use the taper crimp part of the RCBS bullet seating die to taper crimp, it would just take an extra step. RCBS would make sell you a new taper crimp die as it is just their standard bullet seater without the seating stem.
RCBS - old versus new dies:
Modern RCBS tungsten-carbide die: Sizes the sides of the case parallel to one another at .454" - until about .210" from the widest part of the case and then doesn't touch it, so there's a subtle but visible change in angle.
Old RCBS, non tungsten-carbide dies: maintains a gentle taper from .455" at the case-mouth all the way to the base at .470"
Didn't make any difference in chambering - I'd be happy shooting either case.
Andy, my carbide sized cases look like yours except I think they size further down the case, much further than .210”. Do you have your die threaded up away from the shell holder quite a bit?
No, the die touches the shell-holder.
No, the die touches the shell-holder.
Andy—with steel dies the die should touch but if you read the fine print they warn against that with carbide because it can shatter (I guess). I think they say you should leave a nickel’s worth of clearance. I usually use about a dime’s worth….
