Taper crimp question - The Firearms Forum

KING64 · 07-19-2007, 12:01 AM

There is probably a simple answer to this but at the present time it is a ? to me. Having just returned to reloading after a long absence and not having loaded straight wall cases before......how do you determine if you have placed enough taper crimp on .45 ACP. I have read and followed direction both in the RCBS material and the Sierra loading manual but I am still somewhat questioning if I am placing enough or not enough taper crimp. At present I am loading Sierra 8800, 185 gr. JHP in new Winchester brass.

LDBennett · 07-19-2007, 07:32 AM

1955pirate:

I have found that if you set up the seating die (also the crimp die in most die sets) per the instructions you get the right amount.

Typically the second die will bell the mouth of the case so that a bullet will partially enter the case. When the seating/crimp die is set up correctly all of the belling will have been removed and the very end of the case will be a few thousands smaller in diameter than the case area behind the crimp. But as I said before I find just following the instruction all that is necessary to get the correct crimp.

If you are confused on how to do that then I'd be glad to give a blow by blow process. Just ask.

LDBennett

Daniel Boon · 08-05-2007, 07:00 PM

I suggest you use a taper crimp die. its one more step in the process, but it has served me well. if the O A L is ok, just run the die up and the bullet should crimp. its kind of a feely thing. just takes practice I guess. use a quality crimp die.

inplanotx · 08-06-2007, 08:17 AM

Adjust the taper crimp die until the case mouth measures .469" after the crimp. That will be the correct crimp with a taper die.

IPT

polishshooter · 08-14-2007, 08:57 PM

Is it ABSOLUTELY necessary to taper crimp a .45 acp? The reason I ask is in the 80s when I shot IPSC everybody said to taper crimp, mainly to insure function, even though a lot of manuals said not to or discouraged it, so I did all of mine then, especially since I had an extra space on my Pacific progressive press.

BUT when I just got back after almost 20 years into loading for my .45 again after I rebuilt it, I couldn't remember how to set the depth on the TC die, (partsheimers?

) and I decided to try a few hundred rounds WITHOUT taper crimping....and I see no difference, and have yet to have the first FTFeed with it....

SOoooo...is it REALLY necessary?

Now, my throat and feed ramp are so smooth and seamless it feeds empty cases, so I'm wondering if the "TC for function" wasn't intended for reloading for stock guns with stock feedramps and throats?

07-19-2007, 12:01 AM	#1
KING64 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 517	Taper crimp question There is probably a simple answer to this but at the present time it is a ? to me. Having just returned to reloading after a long absence and not having loaded straight wall cases before......how do you determine if you have placed enough taper crimp on .45 ACP. I have read and followed direction both in the RCBS material and the Sierra loading manual but I am still somewhat questioning if I am placing enough or not enough taper crimp. At present I am loading Sierra 8800, 185 gr. JHP in new Winchester brass. -->

07-19-2007, 07:32 AM	#2
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,714	Re: Taper crimp question 1955pirate: I have found that if you set up the seating die (also the crimp die in most die sets) per the instructions you get the right amount. Typically the second die will bell the mouth of the case so that a bullet will partially enter the case. When the seating/crimp die is set up correctly all of the belling will have been removed and the very end of the case will be a few thousands smaller in diameter than the case area behind the crimp. But as I said before I find just following the instruction all that is necessary to get the correct crimp. If you are confused on how to do that then I'd be glad to give a blow by blow process. Just ask. LDBennett Last edited by LDBennett; 07-19-2007 at 07:33 AM..

08-05-2007, 07:00 PM	#3
Daniel Boon Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6	Re: Taper crimp question I suggest you use a taper crimp die. its one more step in the process, but it has served me well. if the O A L is ok, just run the die up and the bullet should crimp. its kind of a feely thing. just takes practice I guess. use a quality crimp die.

08-06-2007, 08:17 AM	#4
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Re: Taper crimp question Adjust the taper crimp die until the case mouth measures .469" after the crimp. That will be the correct crimp with a taper die. IPT __________________

08-14-2007, 08:57 PM	#5
polishshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 7,860	Re: Taper crimp question Is it ABSOLUTELY necessary to taper crimp a .45 acp? The reason I ask is in the 80s when I shot IPSC everybody said to taper crimp, mainly to insure function, even though a lot of manuals said not to or discouraged it, so I did all of mine then, especially since I had an extra space on my Pacific progressive press. BUT when I just got back after almost 20 years into loading for my .45 again after I rebuilt it, I couldn't remember how to set the depth on the TC die, (partsheimers? ) and I decided to try a few hundred rounds WITHOUT taper crimping....and I see no difference, and have yet to have the first FTFeed with it.... SOoooo...is it REALLY necessary? Now, my throat and feed ramp are so smooth and seamless it feeds empty cases, so I'm wondering if the "TC for function" wasn't intended for reloading for stock guns with stock feedramps and throats? __________________ The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living. Last edited by polishshooter; 08-14-2007 at 08:58 PM..