Shooting jacketed bullets without cannelure

AL45 · January 31, 2013, 01:47 AM

I have some Hornady jacketed bullets sized to .451 without a cannelure that I want to shoot in a Ruger Blackhawk. How tight should I crimp them?

mohr308 · January 31, 2013, 03:26 AM

I don't shoot .451, but I shoot bullets without a cannelure and never crimp them.

Hammerhead · January 31, 2013, 04:43 AM

Depends on the power level you're loading them to.

Speer recommends seating 200 and 230 grain non-cannelure bullets deep into the case and crimping over the shoulder for SWC's or on the nose for RN's. Of course that requires different data, so be careful.

The most important factor is good bullet tension. Use an absolute minimum amount of flare and case mouth expansion so the case gets a good grip on the bullet. If you get good bullet tension is it usually enough to hold the bullets without crimp for plinker loads.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · January 31, 2013, 08:28 AM

I'll take it you shoot a 45 L Colt cartridge. Being a straight wall case hardly no crimping should you expect do on a light target round. The crimp for the most part was set when your brass was resized earlier. Being your bullet has no cannelure. So long as the cartridges mouth opening. It's (rim) looks tight up against the side of your bullet your good to go Sir..

g.willikers · January 31, 2013, 06:36 PM

Are you using a roll crimp die?
If so, not much crimp or the mouth of the case will bite into the bullet, actually causing it to be loose in the case.
Crimping just enough to smooth out the case and allow easy loading into the cylinder should do it.
Use as little belling of the mouth for bullet insert will reduce the crimping necessary.

AL45 · January 31, 2013, 10:25 PM

Thanks for the information. I mostly shoot cast lead bullets, but thought I would try some jacketed. I loaded some Sierra 300 grain jacketed sized to .452, and they had a crimp groove. Those worked fine.

Mike / Tx · February 3, 2013, 07:19 AM

I have loaded some Gold Dots for my Colt, which I had for the 45 ACP. They had no groove so I simply ran them up in the ACP seating die and let the taper crimp do it's job ironing out the lip of the cases. It worked out great, just had to add a spare ring to the die to adjust for the difference in height. These were loaded on a single stage press as well.

rodfac · February 3, 2013, 12:14 PM

Plus 1 on Geewilliker's #5 post...excessive roll crimp actually results in looser bullet/case neck tension...a taper crimp works well for me and doesn't actually require a dedicated taper crimp die...you can use either a .45 LC or ACP sizing die, with the decapping rod removed, to taper the case mouth as necessary to prevent bullet movement in recoil. HTH's Rod

January 31, 2013, 01:47 AM	#1
AL45 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 105	Shooting jacketed bullets without cannelure I have some Hornady jacketed bullets sized to .451 without a cannelure that I want to shoot in a Ruger Blackhawk. How tight should I crimp them?

January 31, 2013, 03:26 AM	#2
mohr308 Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2012 Location: Western New York Posts: 340	I don't shoot .451, but I shoot bullets without a cannelure and never crimp them. __________________ Lock and load, the zombies (democrats) are coming (to take your guns)!

February 3, 2013, 07:19 AM	#7
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2000 Posts: 549	I have loaded some Gold Dots for my Colt, which I had for the 45 ACP. They had no groove so I simply ran them up in the ACP seating die and let the taper crimp do it's job ironing out the lip of the cases. It worked out great, just had to add a spare ring to the die to adjust for the difference in height. These were loaded on a single stage press as well. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

February 3, 2013, 12:14 PM	#8
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,223	Plus 1 on Geewilliker's #5 post...excessive roll crimp actually results in looser bullet/case neck tension...a taper crimp works well for me and doesn't actually require a dedicated taper crimp die...you can use either a .45 LC or ACP sizing die, with the decapping rod removed, to taper the case mouth as necessary to prevent bullet movement in recoil. HTH's Rod __________________ Our Flag does not fly because the wind blows against it, It proudly waves because a soldier's dying breath blows upon it. USAF Forward Air Controller, 5th Spl Forces, An Loc, lll Corps, RVN, 69-70, Vietnam Vet '69-'73

January 31, 2013, 04:43 AM	#3
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,182	Depends on the power level you're loading them to. Speer recommends seating 200 and 230 grain non-cannelure bullets deep into the case and crimping over the shoulder for SWC's or on the nose for RN's. Of course that requires different data, so be careful. The most important factor is good bullet tension. Use an absolute minimum amount of flare and case mouth expansion so the case gets a good grip on the bullet. If you get good bullet tension is it usually enough to hold the bullets without crimp for plinker loads.

January 31, 2013, 08:28 AM	#4
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Need to know basis only Posts: 933	I'll take it you shoot a 45 L Colt cartridge. Being a straight wall case hardly no crimping should you expect do on a light target round. The crimp for the most part was set when your brass was resized earlier. Being your bullet has no cannelure. So long as the cartridges mouth opening. It's (rim) looks tight up against the side of your bullet your good to go Sir..

January 31, 2013, 06:36 PM	#5
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 2,532	Are you using a roll crimp die? If so, not much crimp or the mouth of the case will bite into the bullet, actually causing it to be loose in the case. Crimping just enough to smooth out the case and allow easy loading into the cylinder should do it. Use as little belling of the mouth for bullet insert will reduce the crimping necessary. __________________ Lock the doors, they're coming in the windows.

January 31, 2013, 10:25 PM	#6
AL45 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 105	Thanks for the information. I mostly shoot cast lead bullets, but thought I would try some jacketed. I loaded some Sierra 300 grain jacketed sized to .452, and they had a crimp groove. Those worked fine.