How hard is your crimp?

[Jack Flacket]

OK, so I made a test round to see how hard my crimping die is pushing on my bullet. I used a fmj 115 grn in a 9mm luger case. after I crimoed it, i pulled the bullet out with a bullet puller. It was noticeably squished. It was kind of like a mushroom almost, not anywhere near to that severity but i'm trying to describe how it looked.
My question is this. How do you know how much crimp is enough, and how do you know it is too much. should there be any change in shape if it is crimped properly?

 

[Rod B]

I usually crimp just a little beyond the point where the flare on the mouth of the brass is removed.

I have had excellent results with the Lee Factory crimp die. This die post sizes the finished round & allows a separate seating & crimping operation.

 

[KodiakGhost]

I have found for 9mm that the casing shouldn't look distorted or warped. Also, my experience is that if hte bullet can be twisted, even slightly, it was overcrimped. Just my $0.02

 

[Canuck44]

All your 9MM cartridges need is a slight taper crimp. Just remove any flaring you applied and you should be good to go.

Take care

Bob

 

[beltfed]

I crimp enough to ensure the bullet won't get set back into the case.
I test it by pushing a finished round bullet first into the loading bench with half my upper body weight. If the bullet sets back, I'll crimp a bit more and repeat.

 

[Griffoneur]

Less is best. More crimp = higher pressure. Excessive pressure is not good. I crimp to take out flare and then screw die in 1/8th of a turn more. Rounds feed flawlessly (124gr Cast RN - wheelweights)