Is this the proper crimp?

[ArtP]

I have been handloading rifle cartridges for a while. Today, I am starting handloading for 44 mag. The process is pretty straigh forward except the crimp. I don't have any factory ammo for comparison.

Is this too much crimp, not enough?

In the three die Lee set the bullet seater applies the crimp. The amount of crimp depends on how much force is applied to the arm - I think. Lee also sells a another die called a "carbide factory crimp die". I am not sure if this last die would perform a better job or make the crimp more uniform, I'm a little concerned with consistency. Any opinions?

BTW - that particular round has been sized, crimped and disassembled a couple times, that's why there is an indentation in the cannelure.

 

[JimKirk]

Looks like a good tight crimp, I would seat the bullet just a fuzz deeper. It appears that a crimp was already in the right place, bump the bullet down and you'll be good to go.

Jimmy K

 

[Walkalong]

What Jimmy K said.

Skip the FCD.

 

[loadedround]

+1 for what Jim Kirk stated.

 

[pcwirepro]

The amount of crimp depends on how much force is applied to the arm

Hmmm. Are you sure the amount of crimp isn't determined by amount the die is screwed in/out of the press?

Are they older dies?

 

[ArtP]

Hmmm. Are you sure the amount of crimp isn't determined by amount the die is screwed in/out of the press?

Are they older dies?

No, they're new dies. I discovered that the right amount of crimp can be done by force or, as you pointed out, depending on how far I screw in the die in, it can be used stop travel. I suppose what you suggested will give a more uniform crimp.

I managed to crumple one case by using too much force and not having the die adjusted right. I have never crimped any of the rifle cartridges I've made, so I'm new to this business of crimping.

Thank you and all the others for having a look and helping me out.

 

[joneb]

Is this too much crimp, not enough?

As pointed out the bullet could be set deeper, I would try to hide 55% of that bullets cannelure. If the crimp is to heavy the case mouth will bulge or buckle, when I need a heavy crimp I trim the brass to a consistent length. I always make sure the loads fit the chambers, and try to keep any case bulging to a minimum.

 

[JimKirk]

I would set the die so that the proper crimp is applied at the bottom of the stroke of the press handle. That is the proper way to crimp.

This is one time trimming brass matters, if you have various brass length, then it would be hard to get a consistent crimp. I trim my 44 mag brass, not because it stretches, but to ensure a consistent crimp.

Jimmy K

 

[ranger335v]

We can crimp by feel OR by running the ram fully up. Both work, both has shortcomings. The feel method requires learning the feel and it's not precise. Running the ram fully up demands the cases be identical in length or crimp will vary, so it's not precise.

Want precision/consistancy?? Trim all you cases to identical lengths and adjust the die to crimp fully up. Not a lot of us do that trimming thing tho.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Good crimp, I would go a bit deeper on the pill (the bullet itself) as Jimmy K mentioned. You will find that a bit deeper, so the case mouth is about 3/4 of the way up the cannelure groove, will result in an even better crimp as you have a bit more space (several thousandths) for the crimp to wrap (radius) around the base of the cannelure.

When I crimp, I usually see only about 20% of the cannelure after I am done seating and crimping (I seat a batch, then do a last step of crimping the whole batch) - it is only then when I insert the completed cartridges from the Frankford Arsenal (50 count) reloading tray and into the empty reloading boxes.

Happy & Safe Reloading to you!

 

[Walkalong]

I would set the die so that the proper crimp is applied at the bottom of the stroke of the press handle. That is the proper way to crimp.

Correct.

 

[ArtP]

I would set the die so that the proper crimp is applied at the bottom of the stroke of the press handle. That is the proper way to crimp.

This is one time trimming brass matters, if you have various brass length, then it would be hard to get a consistent crimp. I trim my 44 mag brass, not because it stretches, but to ensure a consistent crimp.

Jimmy K

I discovered this last night, just what you said. Having the die down too far had me relying on how much force to apply for the right crimp. Figuring there had to be a better way and taking the die apart to find out how it worked, I learned to set the die depth, just right, for a perfect crimp everytime with no guess work. Life is so much easier when you learn precisly how things work. You can bet I'm not going to remove the lock bushing from the die, I'll have to order more of them.

All is well and I'm a very happy camper. The ammo looks beautiful. The 1894 rifle I bought to shoot that ammo with is still in jail at my FFL and won't be released until July 9th. California 10 day wait. I always turn back into a little kid when waiting for arms to come off the waiting period.

 

[ArtP]

When I crimp, I usually see only about 20% of the cannelure after I am done seating and crimping (I seat a batch, then do a last step of crimping the whole batch) - it is only then when I insert the completed cartridges from the Frankford Arsenal (50 count) reloading tray and into the empty reloading boxes.

I Learned this too, last night. I would say I have most of the cannelure below the case mouth now, giving lots of verticle room for the crimp to set in.

Because I don't have the rifle yet, as noted above, I can't check to see how well they chamber. Using my calipers they appear to be very good, no bulging.

 

[ArtP]

I have them finished and I think they turned out fantastic. Many thanks for all the expertise!

Hornady 240 XTP on top of 24.8 H110

 

[joneb]

That looks like high end factory ammo

 

[ArtP]

That looks like high end factory ammo

It's better than factory!

What better way to honor our founding fathers, on a 4th of July weekend, than to make a batch of ammo they'd be proud of?

 

[Hammerdown77]

Man, is that your reloading bench??? That's way too clean!

 

[ArtP]

I cleaned house before "visitors" came with their cameras. It's an old kitchen counter converted to a work bench. It's fake coral or granite or something. LOL. You can't see it but there's a big 45 degree cut in the corner of it where it used to join with an opposing counter.

In the winter I keep my powders under the bench on a shelf, in the summer they live in my bedroom closet. Not too long ago I moved them and my long-time girlfriend looked in our closet and commented on all the pretty colors. If you have enough variety of powder and primers, it is very pretty. LOL

If anyone has anything to say about the ashtray on the reloading bench, there is no proof that anyone smokes while powder is out in the open. If you have your doubts, maybe you can get that regulated too. < that was a toung-in-cheek comment for the gun banners> No offense to my gun loving brethren.

 

[Walkalong]

Super looking reloads ArtP. I believe you have it down pat.

Is this the proper crimp?

Darn tootin' it is.

 

[ArtP]

Darn tootin' it is.

Thank you buddy! I couldn't have done without your help.

 

[sgte5]

Makes my heart warm and cozy to see pretty ammo like that. The next best thing to the smell of burning powder, when you fire them off. Good job.

 

[Mal H]

Very nice looking rounds, ArtP!

One thing really troubles me though. Looking at your picture (post # 14), the second round in rows 3, 4, and 5 are slightly out of line with the others.


Seriously, good job.

 

[Centaur 1]

If anyone has anything to say about the ashtray on the reloading bench, there is no proof that anyone smokes while powder is out in the open. If you have your doubts, maybe you can get that regulated too. < that was a toung-in-cheek comment for the gun banners> No offense to my gun loving brethren.

That's what's wrong with society today, we have this need to protect people from themselves. It's just a natural process called "Darwinism", which is natures way of weeding out the "intelligence challenged" before they can reproduce.

 

[R.Clem]

Your rounds look very professional, great job.
An ashtray also sets on my reloading bench, not because I smoke while reloading, because it has become a great place to put spillover powder, parts that belong in the box I just opened and will be put back when I am done with whatever I am doing and assorted other uses. Smoking while reloading can be dangerous in two ways, powder ignites easily, we all know that, and it is also distracting.
The crimp you are using will work great for the purpose you are using them for, if at a latter time you go to the heavier bullets, (300 gr. XTP) you will notice the bullets back out on subsequent rounds when roll crimped, this is more predominate in revolvers, but also happens with rifles. You may also find that roll crimps don't give as good of accuracy from round to round no matter how meticulous you are when reloading. These are things I have noticed over the 30 years or so I have been reloading the 44 magnum. To solved the back out problem and helped with the ignition of the ball powder I use by picking up a Redding Profile Crimp Die, these dies require another step in the reloading process but in my opinion, and that of others, is worth the effort and cost.
Keep up the good work, and good luck with the 44 Magnum, they are great fun to shoot.

Ray

 

[Tuckerp229]

No, they're new dies. I discovered that the right amount of crimp can be done by force or, as you pointed out, depending on how far I screw in the die in, it can be used stop travel. I suppose what you suggested will give a more uniform crimp.

At the risk of tooting my own horn there is another way...my way and it is both quantifiable and repeatable. It uses the stop-before-the-end -of- the- stroke method and then adding my Consistent Crimp to notify the reloader exactly when the reloader's selected crimp pressure has been reached. It is simple, it works and it will improve both the accuracy and precision of your favorite loads.