9mm crimp

spleify · October 3, 2009, 03:24 PM

What is a good size to crimp? I am using a Lee Factory crimp die. Some of my factory loads are measuring anywhere from .375-.378. The rounds I just made are measuring .377 without crimping, should I just make them .376 so they have something on them?

Thanks as always

Spleify

spleify · October 3, 2009, 10:48 PM

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Spleify

D. Manley · October 3, 2009, 10:55 PM

If you are measuring .377 +/- a thousandth, I take it you are either not belling the case or (depending on the seater die used), are actually putting a little crimp on when you seat the bullet. In any event, if you have adequate case tension on the bullet and the loads gauge or chamber OK, they I would'nt sweat it. FWIW, most of mine run .3765 / .3775.

spleify · October 3, 2009, 11:20 PM

Thanks D.Manley, I am belling my cases, but only very slightly, JUST enough to get the bullet to seat. It is possible the the seating die is putting a slight crimp on the case, but it is not intentional.

Thanks again for the help.

Spleify

chris in va · October 4, 2009, 10:40 AM

I don't know if this helps any as I just started reloading, but I'm measuring .373 at the case mouth and they all chamber and fire fine in my CZ 75, KelTec P11, Kahr K9 and HiPoint Carbine. I would call this a medium crimp as I have the die at 3/4 turn out.

D. Manley · October 4, 2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

I don't know if this helps any as I just started reloading, but I'm measuring .373 at the case mouth and they all chamber and fire fine in my CZ 75, KelTec P11, Kahr K9 and HiPoint Carbine. I would call this a medium crimp as I have the die at 3/4 turn out.

A 9MM crimp of .373 is well below spec and is excessive. This can lead to a number of issues...some minor, some major, none good. These vary from actually "resizing" the bullet to making it impossible for the case to accurately headspace on the rim.

Longdayjake · October 4, 2009, 12:20 PM

I just crimp them enough to chamber in my gun. If they don't easily chamber or extract then they are not crimped enough. I try to crimp as little as possible so as to keep the bullet from deforming much.

spleify · October 4, 2009, 12:40 PM

I just ended up doing a light crimp of 1/2 turn on the die, and it left me at .376. They headspace nice, and I feel better now. I just started reloading 9mm, so just wanted to double check. I do use the Lee FCd on all my pistol loads.

Thanks everyone!

Spliefy

FrankenMauser · October 4, 2009, 01:00 PM

Unless you are using horribly worn out brass, 9mm shouldn't require more than just straightening the bell out. Of course, this usually results in a mild crimp of .376 to .377. (Due to the way the cases were belled to begin with, and the method of squeezing them back down.)

October 3, 2009, 03:24 PM	#1
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	9mm crimp What is a good size to crimp? I am using a Lee Factory crimp die. Some of my factory loads are measuring anywhere from .375-.378. The rounds I just made are measuring .377 without crimping, should I just make them .376 so they have something on them? Thanks as always Spleify __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ NRA Member Survival Paracord Wraps & Bracelets Like us on Facebook Last edited by spleify; October 3, 2009 at 10:10 PM.

October 3, 2009, 10:48 PM	#2
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	Any thoughts? Thanks Spleify __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ NRA Member Survival Paracord Wraps & Bracelets Like us on Facebook

October 3, 2009, 10:55 PM	#3
D. Manley Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2008 Posts: 299	If you are measuring .377 +/- a thousandth, I take it you are either not belling the case or (depending on the seater die used), are actually putting a little crimp on when you seat the bullet. In any event, if you have adequate case tension on the bullet and the loads gauge or chamber OK, they I would'nt sweat it. FWIW, most of mine run .3765 / .3775. __________________ *"Old School" ain't all bad...*

October 3, 2009, 11:20 PM	#4
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	Thanks D.Manley, I am belling my cases, but only very slightly, JUST enough to get the bullet to seat. It is possible the the seating die is putting a slight crimp on the case, but it is not intentional. Thanks again for the help. Spleify __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ NRA Member Survival Paracord Wraps & Bracelets Like us on Facebook

October 4, 2009, 12:20 PM	#7
Longdayjake Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2009 Posts: 619	I just crimp them enough to chamber in my gun. If they don't easily chamber or extract then they are not crimped enough. I try to crimp as little as possible so as to keep the bullet from deforming much. __________________ If you need bullets for reloading give my website a look. www.rmrbullets.com

October 4, 2009, 10:40 AM	#5
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I don't know if this helps any as I just started reloading, but I'm measuring .373 at the case mouth and they all chamber and fire fine in my CZ 75, KelTec P11, Kahr K9 and HiPoint Carbine. I would call this a medium crimp as I have the die at 3/4 turn out.

October 4, 2009, 12:40 PM	#8
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	I just ended up doing a light crimp of 1/2 turn on the die, and it left me at .376. They headspace nice, and I feel better now. I just started reloading 9mm, so just wanted to double check. I do use the Lee FCd on all my pistol loads. Thanks everyone! Spliefy __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ NRA Member Survival Paracord Wraps & Bracelets Like us on Facebook

October 4, 2009, 01:00 PM	#9
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Unless you are using horribly worn out brass, 9mm shouldn't require more than just straightening the bell out. Of course, this usually results in a mild crimp of .376 to .377. (Due to the way the cases were belled to begin with, and the method of squeezing them back down.) __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.