Which Type of Crimp?

[jd45]

Hello & Happy New Year to All!
I'm gonna try this 270SAA bullet I got from Montana in my .45 Colt '92. As you may know, if I crimp in the groove, the oal will be too long to allow the carts to feed thru the action. What I'll do is push it into the case so the leading edge of the front driving band is even with the case mouth. I'm aware I'll have to adjust powder charges. I can roll crimp or taper crimp. Which method would be most effective in keeping the bullet from moving, both under recoil & the force of the mag spring? Have any of you guys tried this & what were your experiences?.....I'd appreciate your wisdom on it, & thanx....be SAFE this New Years celebration, jd45

[1886]

Redding taper. If you access the leveraction gunsmith portion of the forum and click in Mic McPherson's site you will find a great article he wrote about maximizing revolver loads. He recommends a tactic you are employing, loading the projectile deep. 1886.

[Griff]

I have loaded quite a few ungrooved .45ACP designed bullets in my .45Colt chambered SAAs and rifles over the years. I use the standard RCBS roll crimp and have yet to have a bullet (either lead or jacketed) jump back into the case.

Can't dispute the taper crimp, just feel that roll crimp allows the sharp edge of the case to crease and hold the lead/jacket with authority. It's worked for me.

[jd45]

Thanx guys, for your quick responses! jd45

[J Miller]

jd45,

I'd use a heavy roll crimp over the driving band. Neck tension is what will keep the bullet from receding into the case, a good crimp will hold the bullet in the case for a nano second while the powder gets good ignition.

Are you sure your 92 won't feed the full length ammo? In times past I've read posts by guys who's guns did feed it.
My own Rossi 92 had to be modified to do so, but then again it had to be fixed just to work.

Joe

[jd45]

Ya know what Joe, I guess I shoulda tested a cart with this bullet first, right? I just eyeballed one I assembled for my SA & it looked too long. I will do as you suggest before I do anything else. I'm hoping my Hornady New Dimension sizer die will provide the right reduction in size to grip the bullet shank sufficiently. Thanx, jd45

[blueroan]

I'd try the taper crimp after seating the bullet as close as possible to a known good feeding over-all length. Taper crimps have worked well with full wadcutters in several 44 revolvers I'm using currently; I like it for brass longevity also. Start with equipment you already own.

You might also have the bottom of the expander button turned down a couple of thousandths...or a Lee Factory Crimp die. Or go to a slightly larger sizing diameter. I've got a pair of LEE group buy moulds from castboolits and a Ranch Dog LEE on the way that I will need a larger sizing die for.

Are you also loading for 45 Colt pistols? This might be a good opportunity to go to a bullet diameter that fit the throats, if your pistol has the oversize throats that 45 Colts were infamous for.

Lots of options for you here..and probably more from others

[Marlin .35]

Lee Factory Crimp Die!!! Does a bang-up job, and is very reliable. Easy to work with and easy adjusting if the amount of crimp. Art

[HEAD0001]

Redding taper. If you access the leveraction gunsmith portion of the forum and click in Mic McPherson's site you will find a great article he wrote about maximizing revolver loads. He recommends a tactic you are employing, loading the projectile deep. 1886.

+1 for 1886.

I have noticed the taper crimp gives more consistent pressure-hence accuracy should follow(be better). The taper crimp has given a more consistent MV.

IMO it is due to slight case length(and thickness) variations. I realize to crimp you always need to trim, it is just that I have found the roll crimp to be more critical.

If neck tension is a problem then go to the Lyman M-Die, and do not set the die too deep. Or use a Sinclair neck mandrel. Just take the expander ball out of your sizing die. Tom.

[1886]

Blueroan is on to something. Matching the expander diameter to bullet size and bullet hardness is key. Many die manufactures employ a one size fits all approach and offer only one expander size with their dies. Often times one needs to employ several expander sizes when reloading for a particular cartridge. Mic discusses this topic as well. Others have mentioned the Lee FCD. While I personally love the rifle collet type FCD I think the pistol version is lacking simply because it can and does swage down ones loads. Lee states this in their product literature. If one takes the time to match bullet to throat to expander why would you want to swage it down? Lee will make you a rifle type FCD for some pistol type cartridges. I had them make one for the .475 Linebaugh. I know they can make one for the .45 Colt. Good Shooting. 1886.

[Hobie]

I use a roll crimp.

[jd45]

I am also loading for revolvers, & I just had USFA install a new .4525-throat cylinder in my OmniPotent Target, (think of a Bisley Flattop target, married to an 1878 double-action grip frame), & I have an EMF Hartford SAA with .454 throats, plus I'm gonna have real soon, a Ruger AcuSport Bisley,...unknown until I slug its throats. I have .452s & .454s, & a Lee .451 lube/sizer. BTW, PennBullets has an optional .455 diameter for their 250gr RNFPs for those like Joe, who might wanna check them out. Thanx for the input, jd45

[J Miller]

I like .454" and .455" .45 Colt bullets. I have sizers in those sizes too.

I've found that my OM BH and both my lever guns actually shoot better most of the time with bullets sized .454".

Which is good because I don't have to be picky about sizing bullets to match each gun.

Joe