Taper crimping 45ACP

hogleg

hogleg

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I am not quite sure how much crimp I should apply when reloading 45ACP. After setting up for my next reloading session (2nd time only) I realized that I did not have the seating/crimping die adjusted properly for the fist time that I reloaded. It was not crimping at all I don't think. The first batch worked well except for one case got stuck in the chamber at the range. I removed it with some help from others and continued with another 50 or so that worked fine.
Now that I figured out how to adjust the die to crimp properly I would like to know if there is a way to tell if it is crimped enough? (a measurement?)
I have the expander die set to a very light belling of the case mouth, enough to accept a bullet.

Thanks, Emil
 
the mouth of the brass is what sets the space on the 45 ACP
you really should have no crimp on it, or very little- the brass sets in the chamber, not like a rimmed cartridge
 
Measuring the diameter at the case mouth works, and just checking that they drop into the chamber freely with no binding works(bbl out of the gun). I have seen where the chamber actualy gets a good layer of crud on it, so make sure the chamber is clean too.
 
hogleg

All you want to do is remove the belling in .45acp. Measured at the case mouth you are looking at .469 - .471 in crimp. The .45acp bullet is retained by case tension and not by a crimp per se. I have the Dillon dies and have the crimping die set in the 4th station on my 550. Personally I favour .470 at the case mouth. Loaded thousands of rounds of .45acp without a problem.

Take Care

Bob
 
Thanks for the replies, I checked a few cartridges and the case mouth measured .471 which seems like just enough. I will try dropping a few into the chamber for fit (with the barrel removed) ;)

Emil
 
Canuck44 said:
All you want to do is remove the belling in .45acp. Measured at the case mouth you are looking at .469 - .471 in crimp. The .45acp bullet is retained by case tension and not by a crimp per se. I have the Dillon dies and have the crimping die set in the 4th station on my 550. Personally I favour .470 at the case mouth. Loaded thousands of rounds of .45acp without a problem.

Take Care

Bob
Click to expand...

Right on Bob, that is great advise. I don't know why I even got the taper crimp for .45 as it doesn't do much for me.

Having the bullet retained by case tension is the way to go. You might have to play with the expanding die a bit to get it right. I have mine backed off to the point of almost shaving copper off the bullet as it goes in. As it is seated, the bullet creates a press fit for itself. Works great and there is no chance of accidental bullet setback which can occur when the case is opened up too much (ask me how I know:rolleyes: ).

EDIT: In light of Canuck44's follow up post, I want to clarify. I went a bit over the top with the 'shaving copper' remark. I was trying to make the point that tighter is better than too loose. Bob is right, shave copper and you will crush cases for sure. Thanks Bob!
 
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Max Power

You want to bell the case prior to bullet insertion for a couple of reasons. Not only will you eliminate bullet shaving but also crushing the odd case. Your taper crimp die will eliminate the belling and that is all it really is designed to do in the .45acp and for tha matter the 9MM as well.

For revolvers you have to roll crimp them or run the risk of bullet set back. When that happens pressures rise very quickly and guns come apart rather fast.

I shoot mostly 200 gr LSWC in my 1911's though I do go with HP, and FMJ in either 200 gr or 230 gr. In all cases I bell my cases.


Take Care

Bob
 
Hogleg

I would reduce that to .470 if you want to be sure of eliminating feeding problems. What happens is the case hangs on the barrel hood or if your chamber is dirty will get caught up in teh gunk in the chamber. Just checking to see if they will chamber in a clean barrel is only one part of the test. If you find they run through your gun at the range ok then stick with it.

Take Care

Bob
 
Just as a side bar........I don't crimp,.........because I don't bell,.......... because I chamfer the case mouth generously, and run bevel base cast bullets. Jacketed flat base bullets seat with no problems either.
Omitting the bell & crimp works the case mouth that much less, and will lengthen case life considerably; this also eliminates a complete reloading step (belling). This has done me fine for 35 years.
 
With belling my cases last minimum of 16 loadings how much longer do yours last? Even with bevel base boolits I get lead shearing. The belling just makes it easier and faster to reload. Glad you system works for you.

Take Care

Bob
 
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