taper crimp

encore · January 2, 2005, 05:30 PM

im new to reloading auto pistols and was wondering if someone could tell me when you know if you have enough taper crimp on a bullet? is it a visible crimp?

Peter M. Eick · January 2, 2005, 05:37 PM

I taper crimp enough to close the brass back up and kill the flare you put in it for seating.

If you can see the crimp it is to much with a taper crimper.

My opinion is that crimping is what makes or breaks your reloading. It is the zen in reloading and requires a certain amount of "feel" to get it right. If you are really concerned pull some bullets after crimping and see if you have indented the bullet. If you have, then to much crimp. Remember with a taper crimp, less is really more or at least that is what my experience has taught me over the last 25 years.

Now a revolver and a roll crimp that is another area. I find that it is hard to crimp a magnum revolver load enough. I switched over to redding profile crimp dies based upon suggestions I got here and really love them.

January 2, 2005, 05:30 PM	#1
encore Junior Member Join Date: December 4, 2004 Posts: 10	taper crimp im new to reloading auto pistols and was wondering if someone could tell me when you know if you have enough taper crimp on a bullet? is it a visible crimp?

January 2, 2005, 05:37 PM	#2
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	I taper crimp enough to close the brass back up and kill the flare you put in it for seating. If you can see the crimp it is to much with a taper crimper. My opinion is that crimping is what makes or breaks your reloading. It is the zen in reloading and requires a certain amount of "feel" to get it right. If you are really concerned pull some bullets after crimping and see if you have indented the bullet. If you have, then to much crimp. Remember with a taper crimp, less is really more or at least that is what my experience has taught me over the last 25 years. Now a revolver and a roll crimp that is another area. I find that it is hard to crimp a magnum revolver load enough. I switched over to redding profile crimp dies based upon suggestions I got here and really love them. __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!