roll crimp help please

kingudaroad · July 25, 2005, 12:06 PM

I'm a novice reloader loading for .44 mag , using a redding profile crimp die and crimping as a separate step after bullet seating. I'm not sure if I'm crimping hard enough to get a roll crimp. I can see the taper. Should you also see or feel the roll? Should the force of the press pull feel a certain way? btw.. Bullets are shooting good however have not made any high velocity loads yet. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Robert M Boren Sr · July 25, 2005, 12:13 PM

To use a roll crimp you need a cannelure on the bullet. If you don't have a cannelure then the taper crimp will have to suffice. If you can see the crimp then more then likely it's enough crimp. Give us a bullet type so we can better help.

kingudaroad · July 25, 2005, 12:20 PM

I'm currently using a 200 gr jhp with a cannelure.

HSMITH · July 25, 2005, 08:07 PM

pic didn't load, I'll try later.

flutedchamber · July 25, 2005, 09:32 PM

One good way to tell if your crimp is enough..shoot 5 shots and remove and measure the last round. Compare this to the length before you fired the other 5. If it is the same, the crimp is sufficient. You can leave the last round unfired 3 or 4 times..if it doesn't move by then, I doubt it ever will.

LHB1 · July 25, 2005, 11:13 PM

Basic question: Is that Redding "profile crimp" die a taper crimp or roll crimp? Try running an empty case further into the crimp die. If it is a roll crimp die, you should eventually see a true "roll crimp" form at the top, otherwise it is a taper crimp. I would expect .44 Mag crimping dies to be roll crimp dies because most/all .44 bullets seem to have crimp grooves or cannelures. I definitely prefer roll crimp on my .44 ammo and only use taper crimp on cartridges which headspace on the case mouth like the .45 ACP.

Good shooting and be safe.

Edward429451 · July 26, 2005, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Should you also see or feel the roll? Should the force of the press pull feel a certain way?

Yes, you should be able to see it after applied and feel it as a somewhat more distinctive press stroke when applied as compared to any other stroke in the reloading process.

You may have to sacrifice one case / bullet to see just how far is too far. You wont hurt the die, then you'll know. Roll crimps have always been largely a visual thing for me. Then test them as described to be sure.

July 25, 2005, 12:06 PM	#1
kingudaroad Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Location: austin Posts: 735	roll crimp help please I'm a novice reloader loading for .44 mag , using a redding profile crimp die and crimping as a separate step after bullet seating. I'm not sure if I'm crimping hard enough to get a roll crimp. I can see the taper. Should you also see or feel the roll? Should the force of the press pull feel a certain way? btw.. Bullets are shooting good however have not made any high velocity loads yet. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

July 25, 2005, 12:13 PM	#2
Robert M Boren Sr Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 269	To use a roll crimp you need a cannelure on the bullet. If you don't have a cannelure then the taper crimp will have to suffice. If you can see the crimp then more then likely it's enough crimp. Give us a bullet type so we can better help.

July 25, 2005, 12:20 PM	#3
kingudaroad Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Location: austin Posts: 735	I'm currently using a 200 gr jhp with a cannelure.

July 25, 2005, 08:07 PM	#4
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	pic didn't load, I'll try later.

July 25, 2005, 09:32 PM	#5
flutedchamber Member Join Date: July 14, 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 61	One good way to tell if your crimp is enough..shoot 5 shots and remove and measure the last round. Compare this to the length before you fired the other 5. If it is the same, the crimp is sufficient. You can leave the last round unfired 3 or 4 times..if it doesn't move by then, I doubt it ever will.

July 25, 2005, 11:13 PM	#6
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Basic question: Is that Redding "profile crimp" die a taper crimp or roll crimp? Try running an empty case further into the crimp die. If it is a roll crimp die, you should eventually see a true "roll crimp" form at the top, otherwise it is a taper crimp. I would expect .44 Mag crimping dies to be roll crimp dies because most/all .44 bullets seem to have crimp grooves or cannelures. I definitely prefer roll crimp on my .44 ammo and only use taper crimp on cartridges which headspace on the case mouth like the .45 ACP. Good shooting and be safe.