what crimp for handgun ammo - The Firearms Forum

harleyhobie · 09-27-2009, 04:27 PM

I was getting ready to reload some 44mag,read the hornandy instructions etc but don't see where it says what kind of crimp to put on. I just wondered if the dies were designed to put on the right one for the caliber. thanks

Bindernut · 09-27-2009, 05:39 PM

Quick answer...you're good to go with the dies you've got.

A rimmed, straight-walled cartridge, like the .44Mag, headspaces off of the rim. You would use a roll crimp into a cannelure to retain the bullet. Your dies are made to apply this type of crimp.
If you're bullet doesn't have the cannelure (crimp groove) then don't force a roll crimp into the bullet...just back the die off slightly to bring the mouth back up against the bullet. If heavy loads, you'll want a good roll crimp to keep the bullet from creeping in the case under recoil...and to help keep the powder ignition consistent.

A straight-walled rimless cartridge, like the .45ACP or 9mmx19, headspace off of the case mouth. Thus, they will need a taper crimp on a non-cannelured bullet so that you still have a nice square edge at the case mouth. Dies for these calibers are made to apply that type of crimp.

Set up your dies according to the manual and you're all set.

woolleyworm · 09-27-2009, 08:02 PM

+1 Binder, well stated

Harley - I know you ended up going with the Hornady LNL press, did it come with a reloading manual or did you buy some seperately? Not sure which one's you've got for reference, but Lee's section on this is really good. I don't mind giving out "quick" answers, but I do like to make sure that safety and proper "learn time" which involves hitting the books is done. Crimping serves a very important purpose, especially in lever guns and heavier recoil actions, if you've got any questions as to where we learned and where we reference our info; feel free to ask, we want your reloading experience to be a great one and a safe one.

Semper FI,

Woolley

gdmoody · 09-27-2009, 09:07 PM

One of the manuals that I have and read is a Lyman Reloading Handbook, #49. It has really good information about some of the basics of reloading, crimping is one of the items covered. If I were going to buy only one manual, I think that this would be the one.

When you said that you read the hornady instructions, I am not sure which one you are talking about, the one that has the press instructions, or the Hornady Reloading manual, or the instructions that came with the dies. If it is the reloading manual you mean, it has some useful information it it, but in my opinion, the information in the Lyman manual is so much better.

My suggestion to you is to invest in a couple of reloading manuals, and I would suggest that Lyman's be one of them. Safety is the first thing you have to consider when reloading. It is not rocket science, but in a way, that is exactly what it is!!

woolleyworm · 09-27-2009, 09:23 PM

I would second gmoody's vote for the Lyman manual as "The One" if you've only got one. Overall, I think its the best at being as unbiased as possible and detailed.

LDBennett · 09-28-2009, 06:52 AM

For manuals I like the Hornady one as it explains with pictures how cartridges work. That leads to a better understanding of the reloading processes required. But I have over a dozen manuals and have read the reloading sections of every one multiple times.

LDBennett

Popgunner · 09-28-2009, 01:45 PM

I you shoot your 44 mag loads & the cylinder seems to start locking up on you after you fire the first shot then check your remaining cartridges to see if the bullets are creeping forward under recoil. This would let you know your crimps let go. I had this happen with my Vaquero revolver & some stout loads with W-296. I thought I had applied good heavy roll crimps but I ended up needing to almost colapse the cases to get the crimps strong enough.

Your dies will have to be adjusted to apply crimp to your case mouths. They won't just automaticaly do it right. You start with the seating die high & use the stem turned down a little at a time to get the bullet seated with the case mouth in the center of the canelure. Then spin the seater stem up & away from the bullet. Now your die body goes down a little at a time till the crimp shoulder meets the case mouth & you get the crimp you want. Then spin the seater stem down on the bullet & lock the die & stem to seat & crimp the rest of your cartridges.

the morning light · 09-28-2009, 05:40 PM

I use Lee factory crimp dies on all of my revolver loads and they used to be very reasonably priced.

Gearheadpyro · 10-12-2009, 07:29 PM

+1 on the Lee's.
I use the Lee factory crimp die for my .40 semi-auto. Inexpensive and does a fantastic job.

09-27-2009, 04:27 PM	#1
harleyhobie Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: chester va Posts: 19	what crimp for handgun ammo I was getting ready to reload some 44mag,read the hornandy instructions etc but don't see where it says what kind of crimp to put on. I just wondered if the dies were designed to put on the right one for the caliber. thanks -->

09-27-2009, 05:39 PM	#2
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,453	Re: what crimp for handgun ammo Quick answer...you're good to go with the dies you've got. A rimmed, straight-walled cartridge, like the .44Mag, headspaces off of the rim. You would use a roll crimp into a cannelure to retain the bullet. Your dies are made to apply this type of crimp. If you're bullet doesn't have the cannelure (crimp groove) then don't force a roll crimp into the bullet...just back the die off slightly to bring the mouth back up against the bullet. If heavy loads, you'll want a good roll crimp to keep the bullet from creeping in the case under recoil...and to help keep the powder ignition consistent. A straight-walled rimless cartridge, like the .45ACP or 9mmx19, headspace off of the case mouth. Thus, they will need a taper crimp on a non-cannelured bullet so that you still have a nice square edge at the case mouth. Dies for these calibers are made to apply that type of crimp. Set up your dies according to the manual and you're all set. Last edited by Bindernut; 09-27-2009 at 05:42 PM..

09-27-2009, 08:02 PM	#3
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,885	Re: what crimp for handgun ammo +1 Binder, well stated Harley - I know you ended up going with the Hornady LNL press, did it come with a reloading manual or did you buy some seperately? Not sure which one's you've got for reference, but Lee's section on this is really good. I don't mind giving out "quick" answers, but I do like to make sure that safety and proper "learn time" which involves hitting the books is done. Crimping serves a very important purpose, especially in lever guns and heavier recoil actions, if you've got any questions as to where we learned and where we reference our info; feel free to ask, we want your reloading experience to be a great one and a safe one. Semper FI, Woolley __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

09-27-2009, 09:23 PM	#5
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,885	Re: what crimp for handgun ammo I would second gmoody's vote for the Lyman manual as "The One" if you've only got one. Overall, I think its the best at being as unbiased as possible and detailed. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

09-28-2009, 06:52 AM	#6
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: what crimp for handgun ammo For manuals I like the Hornady one as it explains with pictures how cartridges work. That leads to a better understanding of the reloading processes required. But I have over a dozen manuals and have read the reloading sections of every one multiple times. LDBennett

09-27-2009, 09:07 PM	#4
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,354	Re: what crimp for handgun ammo One of the manuals that I have and read is a Lyman Reloading Handbook, #49. It has really good information about some of the basics of reloading, crimping is one of the items covered. If I were going to buy only one manual, I think that this would be the one. When you said that you read the hornady instructions, I am not sure which one you are talking about, the one that has the press instructions, or the Hornady Reloading manual, or the instructions that came with the dies. If it is the reloading manual you mean, it has some useful information it it, but in my opinion, the information in the Lyman manual is so much better. My suggestion to you is to invest in a couple of reloading manuals, and I would suggest that Lyman's be one of them. Safety is the first thing you have to consider when reloading. It is not rocket science, but in a way, that is exactly what it is!! __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

09-28-2009, 01:45 PM	#7
Popgunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Contributor Posts: 1,764	Re: what crimp for handgun ammo I you shoot your 44 mag loads & the cylinder seems to start locking up on you after you fire the first shot then check your remaining cartridges to see if the bullets are creeping forward under recoil. This would let you know your crimps let go. I had this happen with my Vaquero revolver & some stout loads with W-296. I thought I had applied good heavy roll crimps but I ended up needing to almost colapse the cases to get the crimps strong enough. Your dies will have to be adjusted to apply crimp to your case mouths. They won't just automaticaly do it right. You start with the seating die high & use the stem turned down a little at a time to get the bullet seated with the case mouth in the center of the canelure. Then spin the seater stem up & away from the bullet. Now your die body goes down a little at a time till the crimp shoulder meets the case mouth & you get the crimp you want. Then spin the seater stem down on the bullet & lock the die & stem to seat & crimp the rest of your cartridges. Last edited by Popgunner; 09-28-2009 at 01:47 PM..

09-28-2009, 05:40 PM	#8
the morning light V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 288	Re: what crimp for handgun ammo I use Lee factory crimp dies on all of my revolver loads and they used to be very reasonably priced.

10-12-2009, 07:29 PM	#9
Gearheadpyro V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 110	Re: what crimp for handgun ammo +1 on the Lee's. I use the Lee factory crimp die for my .40 semi-auto. Inexpensive and does a fantastic job. __________________ www.southernmarksman.com Owner of & Chief Instructor for The Southern Marksman, LLC NRA Life Member, NRA CRSO, Multi-Discipline NRA Certified Instructor