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How do you get a good crimp?

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6 comments

  • ginmaster
    I think I've answered my own question. I flared alot less and readjusted my crimp. The three I did before quiting for the night turned out good. The last one was perfect. What kind of consistancy should I expect? Will I have to readjust every so often? Or will ther just be a % of no go's?

    Born To Hunt... Forced To Work... #@!#$!!
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  • Kdub
    First, be sure all the cases are of uniform length.

    Second, as you surmised, the least possible flare to the case mouth, the better. You want just enough for the bullet to start.

    Once you've established the correct seating depth and amount of crimp, there should be no change from round to round.

    Keep off the Ridgeline
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  • RCrosby
    Ditto to KDUBS comment re: uniform case length. That should be the key to uniform crimp. As to the minimal mouth flaring, that will also have the added benefit of extending case life. Likely not necessary with the .41 Mag. but with thinner brass like that on the 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40 I've found that Lee's Crimping die is great!!
    Good luck with the .41
    Rob

    Rob
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  • Xracer
    With high-power revolver rounds, you'll probably have to trim to length quite frequently. The brass tends to stretch, so always measure the length before reuse.
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  • Iconoclast
    gm, as others have noted, a uniform case length = (usually) uniform crimp. The roll crimp mechanism is simply a ridge which forces the case mouth inward. It's a static device - feed a longer case (more brass) in, it will crimp that much more; feed a short case, it may not even touch the case mouth. If you really overdo the flare (bell), it is possible to crumple a case mouth when seating / crimping, but you have to work at it. As long as the bullet base will align with the case mouth, you have enough of a flare. In some instances, I've had flares which I had to feel because they were not readily apparent to the eye (unless I picked up the case and held it against a contrasting background - admittedly my eyesight no longer rivals that of an eagle [;)]). The less you work the case mouth with the flaring / crimping cycle, the longer your brass will last. I wouldn't bother with common handgun brass, but on exotic types, I've been known to re-anneal the c/m after 5 or so firings and I'm sure it prolonged the life of the casings. With heavy loads, you will have the brass flowing forward and so need to trim it; in time you will experience enlarged primer pockets or incipient head separations no matter what you do, but your practices and loads will affect this useful life enormously.

    "There is nothing lower than the human race - except the french." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / demoMAGGOTS" (me)
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  • perry shooter
    Hello a TAPER crimp die is much more FORGIVING than then a roll crimp you only need to go about .001 pass flush. quote:Praise the HARDBALL gun" quote:
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