Hornady .44 Mag FTX Crushed Tips

[Dirtdart504]

I'm reloading Hornady FTX 225 grain .44 mag bullets for a Ruger 77/44. I'm using Lee dies and the polymer tips are getting crushed and slightly deformed in the bullet seating die. I know I probably need a new die, but I wanted to see if anyone had any experience with this bullet and could recommend a a brand of die that will definitely work with these bullets. Hornady dies are the obvious answer, but I don't want to put out the money unless I know for sure they will work, if possible.
Thanks

 

[Kart29]

Let the bullets sit a while and the soft polymer tip will probably reform itself. You could also drill a relief for the tip of the bullet in the seating stem of the die.

 

[BGDave]

First answer is correct. Quick too.

 

[shawnba67]

Lee will make you a seater die for under $20 (takes 12weeks)other than that I have had zero luck with anything but the hornady seater for the ftx bullet.

 

[M67]

Doesn't Hornady make a seating stem for FTX bullets?

Or will they only work in Hornady dies?

 

[straight-shooter]

https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/ammunition-reloading/192095-hornady-ftx-bullets.html

 

[Broom_jm]

Your seating stem in the Lee 44 Mag die is made for flat-nosed bullet. Replace it with one made for pointed bullets or modify it to not deform the tip. Or, accept that the tip is MADE to deform, but bounce right back. It will have no measurable impact on accuracy.

If you read the thread straight-shooter linked to, you might be disappointed to find that the FTX bullet is not much of an improvement over a flat or hollow-point bullet. The largest diameter where I think the FTX bullets make sense is .357"-.358", which basically means only 30 and 35 caliber. Anything bigger and they just aren't going to give you enough of an improvement in BC to matter at all.

 

[Chance]

Exchange the pistol bullet seating stem for a rifle bullet stem. this is what I did for the .357 bullets. This has a deeper relief and will contact the bullet jacket and not the nose.

 

[Dirtdart504]

Thanks for the input. Much to try. Merry Christmas!