45ACP Crimp Question

to get consistent uniform crimping from round to round, the brass cases must be identical length. uneven crimping tension will affect velocity and chambering.

Trimming pistol brass is useless.

first off. ALWAYS worry about. O.A.L. for the .45 taper crimp. the idea is to adjust your die untill it takes away the case bell, then give it another 1/4 to 1/2 turn. load it up. do a plunk test. or load up a blank (no powder, no live primer, just an empty case with a bullet) load it in your mag make sure it feeds like it should without hanging up or anything. then you should be good to go.

A 1/4 or 1/2 turn, eh? I find case mouth measurements more precise, a .471 taper crimp generally gets it done.

A few more links OP:

Member experience: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...on-powders?p=17862832&viewfull=1#post17862832

method/info: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...on-powders?p=17848896&viewfull=1#post17848896
 
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Awesome thanks for all the info ! I’ll reload some here and post back with the results. I’m not too worried about it sounds fairly straightforward but appreciate all the advice! I think the biggest thing I’ll definitely be careful not to double charge as well as make a few to try before loading a bunch up
 
If you are using .45ACP in a revolver, you will need to use a roll crimp. A taper crimp will result in the bullets working out of the case with recoil, getting worse with each shot. This can cause the cylinder to bind. For auto loaders the taper crimp is the way to go.

Auggie D.

I had forgot that a lot of military revolvers were converted to fire 45ACP. Which die manufacturers make a roll crimp die for it? I am assuming it would be a combo seating/crimping die, rather than a separate die like the Lee FCD.

Jim
 
I had forgot that a lot of military revolvers were converted to fire 45ACP. Which die manufacturers make a roll crimp die for it? I am assuming it would be a combo seating/crimping die, rather than a separate die like the Lee FCD.

Jim

RCBS and Redding for sure do.

Auggie D.
 
Lee carbide dies in a Lee Pro-1000; taper crimp. My 1911 likes 200 gr SWCs loaded on the light side for accuracy. They look like one on the left:
tumblr_noau049pwz1st1xojo1_500.png


No feeding problems, and very accurate.
 
I use the Lee factory crimp die and have had no problems
What he said, the lee factory crimp die is a must I don't care what kind of dies you use I've seen more frustration from seating and crimping with the same die then anything else. The second carbide sizing ring gets any imperfections that may come up in the other stations.
 
I loaded a lot of 45 with 231, light loads as a rule only problem was a missed charge one time, when a friend was using my gun and he stacked 2 in my match barrel, bulged it. My fault.
The plunk test is also good on 22 RF , as a lot of problems can be fixed when the chamber is cleaned and a new cartage when dropped in a chamber , goes "plunk" full depth with out any pushing.
BTW, I had a lot of trouble with over crimps on 9mm in a match barrel, case sticking in the chamber, plus not good enough full length sizing.
 
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